The 65-year-old actor had been admitted to a private hospital in Hyderabad

Veteran Telugu actor Mada Venkateswara Rao died in Hyderabad after a brief illness. He was 65.
The actor, known for his comic roles, passed away after undergoing treatment for a brief period at a private hospital in Hyderabad last night, family members said.
Born in 1950, Venkateswara shot to fame with his role as an eunuch in film Chillara Kottu Chittemma, directed by Dasari Narayana Rao in 1977.
The noted comedian acted in more than 300 films, including some films of other regional languages.
He was popular for his roles in films such as Muthyala Muggu, Lambadolla Ram Das and Mayadari Malligadu.
Before venturing into films, Venkateswara worked as an engineer in the state electricity department.