Kota Srinivasa Rao explicitly stated that the Telangana accent/slang helped him become a great actor. This sentiment is captured in several video titles and snippets that translate to "Telangana accent made me a great actor" or "Kota Srinivasa Rao Great Words about Telangana Slang" in the wake of the passing away of the legendary actor.
In an interview, a few years ago, Kota stated that uttering lines in the Telangana language made him stand out (from others). Since many saw novelty in it, it endeared him to the audience.
A section of Telangana culture-lovers feel that while Kota Srinivasa Rao was extraordinary, the Telangana language was largely used when he was cast in negative or comedy roles. This is a charge laid at the doorsteps of the Telugu film industry in general. The protagonists of the Telangana statehood movement have, in the past, accused Tollywood filmmakers/writers of insulting the language because they hail from Andhra.
