Nandamuri Harikrishna funeral: Family and friends bid tearful adieu to Telugu actor

Nandamuri Harikrishna's elder son Kalyan Ram lights the pyre.

Kalyan Ram and Jr NTR perform the last rites. Nandamuri Harikrishna's mortal remains placed on the pyre, covered with pieces of wood.

Politicans, film stars, friends and family pay their respect to Nandamuri Harikrishna for the final time.

Nandamuri Harikrishna's brother Nandamuri Balakrishna, brothers-in-law and AP CM Chandra Babu Naidu carry the body on a stretcher inside the cremation area where the pyre is set.

The funeral procession arrives at the Mahaprasthanam cremation site. Nandamuri Harikrishna's eldest son Kalyan Ram will perform the last rites. Elaborate arrangements have been made at the site for the VIPs.

The funeral procession of Nandamuri Harikrishna proceeds peacefully through the streets of Hyderabad without any trouble in spite of a huge crowd. 

Jr NTR, Kalyan Ram and N Chandrababu Naidu among others travel in Chaitanya Ratham that's carrying the mortal remains of Harikrishna.

The funeral procession of Harikrishna begins. The body will be taken to Mahaprasthanam for the last rites, which will be performed with full state honours. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has joined the procession along with Harikrishna's other family members.

"He used to treat me like his younger brother. We became close while working in Seetharama Raju. Not able to believe what has happened. My deep sympathies to his family and may his soul rest in peace," Nagarjuna told reporters. 

"Nandamuri Harikrishna garu was a dear friend and was like a brother to me. I have been deeply pained and shocked by his untimely death. He spoke to everyone with affection and made us all laugh with his jokes. I never imagined that one day he would push us into such sadness and leave," Chiranjeevi told reporters.

Nandamuri Harikrishna's mortal remains will be carried on the iconic "Chaitanya Ratham" in the final procession. Harikrishna drove this vehicle carrying his superstar father NT Rama Rao across the undivided Andhra Pradesh during 1982 state elections. The vehicle parked at Nacharam Ramakrishna studios is being prepared for the procession.

Vice president M. Venkaiah Naidu paid his last respects to Nandamuri Harikrishna at the latter’s residence earlier today. While talking to the media, he praised Harikrishna's love for the Telugu language. And he recalled the incident when the late member of parliament insisted on speaking in Telugu in the Rajya Sabha. Venkaiah said he supported Harikrishna when then Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien objected to it.