Veteran Telugu actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao passed away on Wednesday morning after battling intestinal cancer for several months. He was 91.
Rao, who acted in 256 films spread over 70 years, was a Dada Saheb Phalke Award winner, and a recepient of the Padma Vibhusan award, besides three Filmfare awards.
His son, famous Telugu actor Nagarjuna, said that his father was recovering well after a recent operation and was absolutely fine till Tuesday evening.
Rao's body has been shifted to the Annapurna Studios for industry members and fans to pay their last respects.
He will be cremated Thursday.
Rao was born on September 20, 1924. He acted in both Telugu and Tamil films.
Batasari, Devadasu, Prem Nagar, Donga Ramudu, Premabishekam and Maya Bazaar were among his well known films. His last movie, a comedy, Manam, was in the process of being completed. It featured his son Nagarjuna and grandson Akkineni Naga Chaitanya.