Telugu star Ravi Teja’s father dies at 90, Chiranjeevi offers condolences

Veteran Telugu actor Ravi Teja’s father, Bhupathiraju Rajagopal Raju, passed away on the night of July 15 at the age of 90. He died at the actor’s residence in Hyderabad, according to publicists. The news has prompted an outpouring of condolences from fans, friends, and members of the film industry.

Rajagopal Raju, a pharmacist by profession, maintained a private life away from the public eye despite his son’s fame. Known for his simplicity, he continued working for several years even after Ravi Teja rose to stardom. Rajagopal and his wife, Rajya Lakshmi, rarely appeared in public. The couple had three sons — Ravi Teja, Bharath Raju, and another unnamed son. Bharath, who was also an actor, died in a car accident in 2017.

Telugu star Chiranjeevi expressed his grief on social media, writing, “I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Ravi Teja’s father, Raj Gopal Raju garu. I last met him on the sets of Waltair Veerayya. In this difficult time, I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family. I pray for his soul to rest in peace.”

Born Bhupatiraju Ravi Shankar Raju, Ravi Teja began his career in the film industry in the early 90s and gained recognition with Sindhooram in 1997. Over the years, he has become one of Telugu cinema’s most bankable stars. He was last seen in Mr. Bachchan, which released in 2024.

The actor is currently preparing for the release of his next film, Mass Jathara, scheduled to hit theatres on August 27. Following his father’s passing, Ravi Teja has reportedly paused work commitments to perform final rites.