Allu Arjun’s grandmother passes away at 94; family unites as Chiranjeevi, Ram Charan perform rituals

Veteran actor Allu Arjun’s grandmother, Allu Kanakaratnam, passed away in the early hours of Saturday, August 30, at her residence in Hyderabad. She was 94 and, according to reports, had been suffering from age-related ailments.

The funeral was held in Kokapet, where close relatives, family members, and well-wishers from the Telugu film industry gathered to pay their respects. Several emotional visuals from the procession have circulated widely on social media, showing family members performing the last rites.

In one clip, Allu Arjun was seen carrying the bier along with his uncle, actor-politician Chiranjeevi. Ram Charan, who had been filming in Mysuru, rushed back to Hyderabad as soon as the news broke and was seen joining the family during the rituals. Another video captured Ram Charan embracing Allu Arjun at his residence, reflecting the grief shared by the extended family.

Reports suggest that Allu Arjun was in Mumbai for the shoot of his upcoming film AA22xA6, directed by Atlee, when he was informed about the loss. He is believed to have immediately flown back to Hyderabad to be with his family.

While the family has not yet issued an official statement, the visuals from the funeral have offered a glimpse of the emotional atmosphere at the gathering. The presence of senior figures from the industry highlighted the deep respect Kanakaratnam commanded within the family and beyond.

This is not the first time the actor’s bond with his grandmother drew public attention. In December 2024, following Allu Arjun’s release from jail in connection with the Sandhya Theatre stampede case, Kanakaratnam was seen performing a ritual to ward off the evil eye as he returned home. The moment, captured by cameras then, underlined the close relationship between grandmother and grandson.

Kanakaratnam’s passing marks the end of an important chapter in the Allu family’s history, which has long been influential in Telugu cinema. For many, the funeral also served as a reminder of the generational ties that continue to shape the family’s presence in the industry.