Former Central Minister and senior Film Actor U. Krishnam Raju passed away this morning in Hyderabad. He was 82.<br />”<br />”Born at Mogalthur of the then West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, Raju joined BJP in the 1990s and was elected to the 12th and 13th Lok Sabha from Kakinada and Narsapuram constituencies. He served as Minister of State for External Affairs in the Vajpayee Government. &nbsp;<br />”<br />”Krishnam Raju began his film career in 1966 as an actor with Chiluka Gorinka. He won the first Nandi Award founded by the State Government for Best Actor and bagged Filmfare awards five times. His last rites will be performed tomorrow.<br />”<br />”Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grief over the passing away of Veteran Telugu cinematic personality U V Krishnam Raju Garu.<br />”<br />”In a tweet, Mr Modi said, the coming generations will remember his cinematic brilliance and creativity. He said, Krishnam Raju Garu was also at the forefront of community service and made a mark as a political leader.&nbsp;<br />