Bengaluru: Veteran Kannada actor Shankar Rao (84), who was popular for playing the character Boss Balaraju in the super hit Kannada TV serial Paapa Pandu, passed away due to age-related issues at about 6.30 am in his residence at Arakere yesterday.

Rao, who had a long stint in television and cinema, entered cinema in the 1970s and was regularly cast in comic and supporting roles. Some of his major films include Appu, Milana, Sidlingu, Snehitharu, Rajakumara, Vamshi, Arasu, Uppi Dada MBBS, Dhruva, Veera Kannadiga and Chinnari Mutha among others.

Last rites were held at Banashankari Crematorium in Bengaluru yesterday noon.