Senior Character Artist Deekshithulu passed away at 63

Senior thespian, director and renowned acting guru Deekshithulu who is famously known for his priest role in Mahesh Babu’s ‘Murari’ passed away in Hyderabad yesterday evening due to a severe heart attack. Relative of popular actor-cum-writer Uttej, the 63-year-old veteran breathed his last at Nacharam during a shoot. He was declared dead upon rushing to the hospital. Born as Divi Srinivasa Deekshitulu in Guntur district, he worked as a lecturer at the Government junior college in Repalle town. Having earned numerous accolades during his tenure as a theatre artist, Deekshitulu’s famous plays included Sakuntalam, Keelu Bomma and Maa Nanna Kavali. He roused to fame as a character artist with the much-acclaimed daily soap ‘Agamanam’ and even worked at the All India Radio for a brief period. The talented actor is popular as a soft-spoken priest in movies like Murari, Indra, Tagore, Varsham and Athadu etc. He also held responsibilities as the head of Akkineni Institute of Media Acting at Ravindra Bharathi. Tollywood celebrities have expressed their deepest condolences to the bereaved family. Rest in Peace, Sir!