GV Narayana Rao was drawing strong search interest in India after the veteran Telugu actor and producer died in Hyderabad at age 73. NDTV and Hindustan Times, citing actor Karate Kalyani and agency reports, said Rao died after a heart attack on Wednesday night. His funeral was scheduled for Friday at Vaikunta Mahaprasthanam crematorium in Hyderabad, where colleagues and relatives gathered to pay their respects.

Rao entered Telugu cinema in 1976 with K Balachander’s Antuleni Katha. Over a career spanning nearly five decades, he appeared in about 100 films and several television serials. His lead roles included Oka Oori Katha, Oorukichina Maata and Manchu Pallaki. He also appeared in commercially successful films such as Chilakamma Cheppindi, Muthyala Pallaki, Gang Leader and Hitler.

His work extended beyond acting. Rao produced films including Chettaniki Kallu Levu, Devanthakudu and Yamudiki Mogudu. That producer’s role connected him closely with a generation of Telugu stars, including Chiranjeevi. The relationship became part of the tributes after Rao’s death, as Chiranjeevi recalled their long association and shared work in the industry.

Hindustan Times reported that Chiranjeevi described Rao as a close friend and remembered their connection from the Madras Film Institute era. He also paid tribute to Rao’s work as a producer and to the conversations they had maintained over the years. The tribute added a personal dimension to wider industry remembrances focused on Rao’s contribution both in front of and behind the camera.

Rao’s television credits included serials such as Pasupu Kumkuma and Sundarakanda, helping him remain familiar to audiences beyond theatrical releases. The exact details of his final film and the complete list of condolences may continue to emerge after the funeral. For now, the record of his work shows an artist who moved between acting, production and television while Telugu cinema changed around him.