This story is from June 9, 2024

Telugu media mogul Ramoji Rao passes away

Telugu media mogul Ramoji Rao passes away
The man who straddled the media and film industry in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana for half a century, Cherukuri Ramoji Rao, passed away at the age of 87 in the city. Ramoji Rao, who had been ailing for some time, was admitted to a hospital on Friday and put on ventilator support. He passed away on Saturday.
Prime Minister elect Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu have condoled his death.
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His last rites will be performed with state honours at Ramoji Film City on Sunday.
A recipient of the Padma Vibhushan, Ramoji Rao put Hyderabad on the world map by launching Ramoji Film City, which was dubbed as a one-stop shop for movie making. Launched in 1996, it is the world's largest film studio. Bollywood shot films here and some international movies were also made on its sprawling grounds.
Ramoji Rao hailed from Pedaparupudu village in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh. Always dressed in white, he was known to be meticulous at work building his business empire, including a chit fund company, and a pickle brand among others. It was Ramoji Rao who brought Tollywood super star N T Rama Rao into politics.
"He was a visionary who revolutionized Indian media. His rich contributions have left an indelible mark on journalism and the world of films. Ramoji Rao Garu was extremely passionate about India's development. I am fortunate to have got several opportunities to interact with him and benefit from his wisdom," Modi said on X.
TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu also paid his last respects on Saturday. Telangana chief minister A Revanth Reddy, former Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Jangamohan Reddy, and a host of political leaders and film personalities have condoled his passing away.

Filmmaker S S Rajamouli said on social media: "One man with his 50 years of resilience, hard work and innovation provided employment, livelihood and hope for millions. The only way we can pay tribute to Ramoji Rao garu is conferring him with 'Bharat Ratna'. As a mark of respect to Ramoji Rao, the Telugu film industry has cancelled shootings on Sunday."
BJP leader G Kishan Reddy has been deputed by Modi to officially represent the central government at the last rites of Ramoji Rao.
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About the Author
Ch Sushil Rao

Sushil Rao is Editor-Special Reports, at The Times of India, Hyderabad. He began his journalism career at the age of 20 in 1988. He is a gold medalist in journalism from the Department of Communication and Journalism, Arts College, Osmania University, Hyderabad from where he did his post-graduation from. He has been with The Times of India’s Hyderabad edition since its launch in 2000. He has also done an introductory course in film studies from the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune, and also from the Central University of Kerala equipping himself with the knowledge of filmmaking for film criticism. He has authored four books. In his career spanning 34 years, he has worked for five newspapers and has also done television reporting. He was also a web journalist during internet’s infancy in the mid 1990s in India. He covers defence, politics, diaspora, innovation, administration, the film industry, Hyderabad city and Telangana state, and human interest stories. He is also a podcaster, blogger, does video reporting and makes documentaries.

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