Hyderabad: Renowned Tollywood lyricist Kulasekhar, aged 53, passed away on Tuesday while undergoing treatment at Gandhi Hospital, Hyderabad. Known for his contributions to Telugu cinema, Kulasekhar had been battling health issues for some time.
A native of Visakhapatnam, Kulasekhar began his professional journey as a journalist in Hyderabad before transitioning to film songwriting. Mentored by legendary lyricist Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry, he gained insights into the nuances of crafting film lyrics. He made his debut as a lyricist with the hit film Chitram directed by Teja, marking the beginning of a successful phase in his career.
Kulasekhar penned several popular songs for blockbuster films including Jayam, Nuvvu Nenu, Bhadra, Santosham, Aunanna Kadanna, Vasantham, Ramama Chilakamma, Mrugaraju, Subbu, and Sainikudu.
Despite his initial success, Kulasekhar’s career took a downturn, and he faced significant personal challenges. Reports suggest he struggled with mental health issues and was embroiled in controversies, including theft allegations, leading to multiple arrests. These challenges led to his withdrawal from the public eye and a diminished presence in the film industry.
The news of his demise has saddened the Telugu film fraternity, with many expressing condolences over the loss of a talented lyricist. Kulasekhar is survived by his wife and two children.