RIP Legend: 9 Lesser known facts about superstar Ghattamaneni Krishna

Veteran Telugu actor Krishna passed away at a private hospital in Hyderabad where he was undergoing treatment following a cardiac arrest. He was 80 years old. We now look back at some interesting facts about the life and career of Telugu cinema's original superstar.

Krishna acted in plays before entering films. He gained recognition with the 1960 play 'Papam Kalikellina'. Credit: Twitter/@DirRameshVarma

Krishna was the first hero from Tollywood to enter the Hindi film industry. Credit: Twitter/@AnanyaNagalla

Krishna was also a successful producer. He was the only Indian actor to have produced more than 50 films in different languages. Credit: Twitter/@realradikaa

Krishna established a cinematic record by portraying a double role in 25 movies and a triple role in seven movies. Credit: Twitter/@ysathishreddy

Many of his popular films were remade in Hindi with Jeetendra in the lead. Credit: Twitter/@MaheshFanTrends

Krishna's films included Telugu cinema's first Cinemascope film, 'Alluri Sitarama Raju' (1974); its first 70mm film, 'Simhasanam' (1986); and its first DTS movie, 'Telugu Veera Levara' (1988). Credit: Twitter/@mla_sudhakar

Krishna also worked as a politician in later years. Credit: Twitter/@HeroManoj1

Krishna's 'Simhaasanam' was the first movie to run for 100 days in five 70mm theatres in Andhra Pradesh. Credit: Twitter/@krishanKTRS

An Australian postage stamp was released to honour Krishna's illustrious cinematic career. Credit: Twitter/@SureshKondi_