Notable South film personalities who passed away in 2021
Several famous personalities breathed their last this year in Tollywood leaving a void that cannot be filled again. Some passed away because of age-related issues, prolonged illnesses, some due to the pandemic virus while some left the world all of the sudden sending shock waves to the film industry and the nation. Below is the list of noted Telugu actors who left for their heavenly abode in 2021.
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Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry – Lyric writer
Noted Telugu poet and lyricist, who had penned several superhit songs in Telugu cinema and Telugu theater breathed his last on 30 November 2021 at KIMS, Hyderabad due to prolonged lung cancer. He had won several awards and rewards for penning over 3000 songs until 2020. He was also awarded the Padmasri award for his contributions to the field of arts and aesthetics.
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Siva Shankar Master - choreographer
Sivashankar master was an Indian dance choreographer who had worked in more than 10 Indian languages. He died of COVID-19 at a private hospital in Hyderabad on November 28, 2021. Sivashankar master had won several awards for his choreography in Tamil movies such as Poove Unakkaga (1996), Vishwa Thulasi (2003), Varalaru (2006), Uliyin Osai (2008). He also won the National award for Best Choreography for his work in S.S.Rajamoulis historical drama ‘Magadheera (2008).
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Jayanthi - Veteran actress
Veteran South actress Jayanthi had worked in several Kannada and Tamil films besides working in a few Telugu, Malayalam, Marathi and Hindi films. She had also received several state awards for her performances besides winning two Filmfare awards. Kannada film industry honoured her with the title “ABhinaya Sharadhe(Goddess Sharada in acting)”. She breathed her last on 26th July 2021 due to age-related ailments at her residence in Bengaluru.
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Mahesh Koneru – Film Producer
Young Telugu film producer Mahesh Koneru died of cardiac arrest at the age of 40, this October 2021. He is said to be a close confidant to the Nandamuri family including Jr.NTR, Kalyan Ram and N.Balakrishna. He had produced films such as ‘118’, ‘Thimmarusu’, and ‘Miss India’. He had also reportedly financed Allari Naresh's ‘Sabhaku Namaskaram’, ‘Police Vaari Heccharika’ and other movies.
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Raja Babu – Actor
Telugu actor Raja Babu died on October 24 due to severe health issues at the age of 64. He had played character roles in more than 60 Telugu films. Some of the notable films include ‘Seethamma Vaakitlo Sirimalle Chettu’ with Mahesh Babu, ‘Aadavari Maatalaku Arthalu Verule’ with Venkatesh and ‘Bharat Ane Nenu’ again with Mahesh babu. He was also part of several TV Serials and had won Nandi Award for his TV series ‘Amma’.
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Vedam Nagaiah – Actor
Actor Nagaiah who was popularly known as Vedam Nagaiah breathed his last on March 21, 2021, due to age-related ailments. He was popular for his role of Ramulu in Krish Jagarlamudi’s ‘Vedam’. He was also remembered for his roles in ‘Seema Tapakai’, ‘Okkadine’, ‘Ayyare’, ‘Gamanam’ and ‘Balupu’.
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BA Raju – PRO
Popular Indian film producer and film PRO BA Raju succumbed to death following a cardiac arrest in May 2021. Several Telugu film celebs mourned his sudden demise as he was very close to Telugu film actors and other celebs. He produced films such as ‘Chantigadu’, ‘Premikulu’, ‘Lovely’, and ‘Vaisakham’ that were directed by his late wife B. Jaya.
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Potti Veeraiah - Actor
Gattu Veeraiah was popularly known as Potti Veeraiah as he was a dwarf by birth and is a Telugu actor and comedian, hailing from Phanigiri, Telangana. He had acted in more than 500 films and all the south Indian languages. He is well known for his roles in 'Aggi Veerudu' (1969), 'Tata Manavadu' (1972), 'Jaganmohini' (1978), 'Yugandhar' (1979) and several other movies. He died on 25 April 2021 due to health ailments at the age of 74.
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Sai Balaji – Director
Telugu film director Sai Balaji died of Covid-19 complications. He had directed several movies such as ‘Sivaji’, ‘Orey Thammudu’ and ‘Jai Sri Ram’ the last film of late actor Uday Kiran. He also directed a few soap operas such as ‘Siri’, ‘Aparanji’ and ‘Halahalam’.
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