On 5 August 2020, Balasubrahmanyam tested positive for COVID-19 and was hospitalized in Chennai. A week later, he was in critical condition and put on life-support. He tested negative for COVID-19 on September 7, but still remained on life support. However, on September 24, his condition became critical again and he was put on maximum life support again. He died the following day from the post-COVID complications on 25 September, aged 74.