DMK Murali, who was a film journalist for three decades and acted in several Telugu films for over a decade, breathed his last on Sunday. In a rich tribute to Murali, writer Lakshmi Bhupala of 'GodFather' fame wrote a heartfelt note taking to social media.

Bhupala revealed that he used to call Murali 'Daddy' because the deceased soul used to treat him as an adopted child. "Many years ago, Murali garu used to visit his hometown often. I once asked him why he must travel so often. He told me his children await him there. I later came to know that he had no children. Recently, he called me and told me he had an intuitive feeling that he will be dying soon. Wish it turned out to be a lie much like his 'I have kids' lie," Bhupala wrote emotionally.

After his health took a beating, Murali migrated from Hyderabad to a small town and spent his last years there. After doing MA in Telugu Literature, he became a journalist. He was also a theatre artist known for doing mono-action of the Duryodhana episode from the Mahabharatham.