Renowned Telugu music composer Chakri died of a heart attack today in Hyderabad at the age of 40. He was reportedly suffering from problems related to obesity.
The news of his death has come as a shock to politicians and filmmakers with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Telangana Chief Minister Chandrashekar Rao and many filmmakers conveying their condolences.
Born in 1974 in Mahabubabad in what is now Telangana, Chakradhar Gilla began his career as a music director with Puri Jagannadh's Bachi, which hit screens in 2000. He scored the music for as many as 85 films, the popular ones being Amma Naanna Tami Ammai, Idiot, Erra Bassu, Golimaar, Satyam, Devaraya, Atanu, Itlu Sravani Subramanyam and Jai Bolo Telangana.
Chakri, as Mr Gilla's name was popularly shortened into, won the state government's Nandi Award for Simha and also received the Filmfare Award for Best Playback Singer (Telugu) for Satyam (2003).
He is survived by his wife Sravani and their children.
