Hyderabad/Amaravati, Nov 14 (PTI) Veteran Telugu actor and producer Giribabu died here on Saturday following a prolonged illness. He was 80.
Giribabu had been suffering from Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and a lung infection for about three years, his son Raghubabu, also an actor, said.
Leaders and film personalities in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh condoled his death.
The actor had been bedridden for the last six months and was admitted to a hospital here four days ago, he told reporters.
He breathed his last on Saturday afternoon after his condition deteriorated, he said.
The funeral will be conducted on November 15 in his native village Ravinuthala near Ongole town in Andhra Pradesh, he said, thanking all those who expressed condolences over Giribabu's demise.
Born as Yarra Seshagiri Rao, Giribabu acted in about 600 films in his long career.
'Bhairava Dweepam,' 'Hello Brother,' 'Athadu,' and 'Nuvve Kavali' were among several of his popular films.
Union Ministers G Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay Kumar, Telangana BJP president N Ramchander Rao, his Congress counterpart B Mahesh Kumar Goud and several other leaders condoled Giribabu's demise.
Kishan Reddy recalled that Giribabu joined the BJP in 1991 and campaigned in support of the party's candidate in the then Lok Sabha elections.
Expressing grief over Giribabu's death, mega star Chiranjeevi said in a social media post that the departed film personality's contributions as an actor, director and producer would be remembered forever.
Andhra Pradesh Governor S Adbul Nazeer, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and opposition leader YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Saturday condoled the death of veteran Telugu actor, director and producer Giribabu.
The Chief Minister observed that the passing of Giribabu was deeply saddening.
"Born into an ordinary farming family in Prakasam district, Giribabu acted in over 600 films over five decades... delighting audiences as a villain, comedian and character artist. I pray for peace for Giribabu's soul. I extend my deepest condolences to his family members," Naidu said in a post on X.
The Governor has expressed profound grief and sadness on the death of Giribabu in Hyderabad on Saturday.
Likewise, actor-politician Kalyan said the news of Giribabu's death has saddened him. He recalled the versatile roles the late actor gave life to.
YSRCP supremo Jagan observed that the death of an active member of his party has deeply saddened him.
"The news of the passing of Giribabu garu, a close friend of my father (Y S Rajasekhara Reddy) and an active member of our party, has deeply saddened me. Through his distinctive acting, he brought many characters to life and earned a special place in the hearts of Telugu audiences," he said in a post on X.
According to Jagan, Giribabu's contributions to Telugu cinema as an actor, director and producer will be remembered forever.
Praying for peace for his soul, I convey my deepest condolences to his family members, he added.
(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)