Media Baron Ramoji Rao passed away in Hyderabad during the early hours on 8th June due to medical ailments. He has been shifted to a multi-specialty hospital on 5th June, when he complained about breathlessness. Doctors tried to revive him but his condition kept deteriorating and he passed away. His remains have been shifted to his residence at Ramoji Film City, his world renowned studio in Hyderabad.
Cherukuri Ramoji Rao was born in an agricultural based family on 16th November 1936 in Pedaparupudi of Krishna District. He took an interest in creative field from a young age and in school, he himself registered his name as Ramoji Rao changing it from Ramayya. He established Magardarshi Chit Fund company in 1962 and it became highly successful.
Slowly, he started thinking about establishing a daily newspaper and in 1974 on 10th August, he achieved his dream by starting Eenadu newspaper in Vizag. In short time, within 4 years, Eenadu Newspaper has grown into a largest circulated daily. By 1980’s he became influential media personality in united Andhra Pradesh politics, too.
He ventured into food industry with Priya Foods and film industry with Usha Kiran Movies. Further deepening his roots in movie business he started Mayuri distribution and exhibition. Majority of his films have discussed important social issues and as a producer he earned huge name. He harbored dream to build huge Film Studio and completed construction of Ramoji Film City in 1996.
The largest studio complex in the world, spread across 1,666 acres, has been built with a vision to accommodate sound stages, large outdoor sets and post production facilities under one roof. The studio has been home for several Indian biggies and Baahubali franchise has put in on the global map, once again.
Ramoji Rao further expanded his media business into satellite broadcasting field. He started ETV Network with an ambition to start a broadcasting channel in each regional Indian language starting with his mother tongue Telugu. Along with these, he established clothing line Kalanjali and ventured into hotel industry with Dophin Hotels.
Starting his journey into the world of business at the age of 26, approximately, he lived a dream for many lower income and middle-class persons of India. While Reliance, Adani stories inspire and impress everyone, they dwelled into resource management. But Ramoji Rao showcased how you can construct an empire in media industry with his hard work, dedication and commitment.
He always chose to invest in talent and been aggressive backing them as well. When his film based magazine, Sithara, irked some bigwigs of Telugu Industry and even pushed them to start a daily newspaper in competition, he held on to his principals. A stern believer in preach what you practice, he never produced a film that caters to only one set of audiences or has double innuendos.
Rather he encouraged filmmakers to concentrate on making wholesome films with important topics to discuss. Even his TV channel, ETV has earned huge fame in its first decade with serials that showcased women empowerment and encouraged progressive themes contrary to popular daily soaps. He always believed in making his channel a platform for young talents with Padutha Teeyaga kind of programs.
Well, at the age of 87, Ramoji Rao passed away as a man who established a huge media empire that entire world notices. His son Cherukuri Kiran has taken over newspaper business while his second son, Cherukuri Suman passed away due to cancer after a successful run in ETV, as writer-director and even actor. He faced many hardships in his lifetime but never lost his self confidence to bail himself out of each issue.
Hence, many famous personalities, including President Draupadi Murumu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed their grief upon losing such an inspirational man. Telangana CM Revanth Reddy has announced that his last rites will be conducted with state honors. AP leaders like CM elect Nara Chandrababu Naidu, Pawan Kalyan paid tributes to him by visiting his residence. They all stated his demise as an “end of an era”, we couldn’t agree more!
