Hyderabad: The mortal remains of media baron Ramoji Rao has been kept at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad for his family and friends to pay their last respects.
Filmmaker SS Rajamouli and music composer MM Keeravani reached Film City to pray for the peace of the departed soul.
Rao died on Saturday morning during treatment at Star Hospital in Hyderabad, Telangana. He was 87 years old.
Rao’s legacy is enormous, including numerous successful business ventures and media productions. Under his leadership, Eenadu became a major force in Telugu media.
His other business ventures include the film production house Usha Kiran Movies, the film distribution company Mayuri Film Distributors, the financial services firm Margdarshi Chit Funds and the hotel chain Dolphin Group of Hotels.
He was also the head of the ETV network of television channels.
In 2016, he received the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award, from then-President Pranab Mukherjee. Many people paid their emotional tributes to Rao on social media.
NTR Jr wrote a post in Telugu on X, which roughly translates to, “A visionary like Shri Ramoji Rao is one in a million. A media tycoon and a legend of Indian cinema, his absence is irreplaceable. The news that he is no more with us is very sad. I will never forget the memories when I was introduced to the Telugu film industry with the film ‘Ninnu Choodalani’. May his soul rest in peace and my deepest condolences to his family.”
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, pic.twitter.com/ly5qy3nVUm— Jr NTR (@tarak9999) June 8, 2024
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a post on Instagram that the demise of Ramoji Rao is extremely sad. He highlighted his contribution to journalism and the film industry.
“He was a visionary who revolutionised Indian media. His rich contributions have left an indelible mark on journalism and the film industry. Through his remarkable efforts, he set new standards of innovation and excellence in the media and entertainment world,” the post said.
The demise of Shri Ramoji Rao Garu is extremely sad. He was a visionary who revolutionised the Indian media. His rich contributions have left an indelible mark on journalism and the film world. Through his remarkable efforts, he set new standards of innovation and innovation. pic.twitter.com/siC7aSHUxK— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 8, 2024
Telugu Desam Party (TDP) supremo N Chandrababu Naidu paid floral tribute and also wrote a note expressing condolences on social media.
#Watch | Delhi: TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu pays tribute to Ramoji Rao, founder of Eenadu and Ramoji Film City.
Ramoji Rao passed away this morning while undergoing treatment at Star Hospital in Hyderabad.
(Video Source: TDP) pic.twitter.com/Cn6Uqkrfpg— ANI (@ANI) June 8, 2024
“Deeply saddened by the demise of Ramoji Rao, who was born in a simple family and achieved extraordinary achievements. As an Akshara Warrior, Ramoji rendered numerous services to the Telugu states and the country. His death is a great loss not only to the Telugu people but also to the country. His reputation for working tirelessly for the welfare of the society will live forever,” Naidu said in a post on Twitter.
