A young man who once dreamed of seeing his photograph on cinema posters went on to earn a special place in Telugu cinema. He was actor Srihari, popularly known as the Real Star. Born on August 15, 1964, his original name was Raghumudri Srihari. He faced financial difficulties during his childhood and worked at a small mechanic shed opposite Shobhana Theatre in Hyderabad’s Balanagar area.
Srihari was also passionate about sports and bodybuilding. Reports state that he won the Mr. Hyderabad title seven times. Although he had opportunities to join the police and railway departments, he chose to pursue his dream of becoming an actor. He began his film career as a fighter before moving into acting. Films such as Police, Bhadrachalam, Srisailam and Magadheera helped establish his popularity.
Srihari married actress Disco Shanti, and the couple had two sons and a daughter. Their daughter Akshara passed away when she was just four months old. In her memory, they started the Akshara Foundation to support social welfare activities.
In October 2013, Srihari fell ill while shooting for a film in Mumbai. He died on October 9, 2013, while receiving treatment at a hospital. After his death, Disco Shanti reportedly expressed regret that he had continued with the shoot despite being unwell. She wondered whether things might have been different had he not travelled for the shoot. However, it cannot be established whether that decision would have saved his life. Srihari continues to be remembered for his performances and social work.