Popular media baron and film mogul Cherukuri Ramoji Rao passed away in the early hours of Saturday. Ramoji Rao was 87 years old. He was rushed to Star Hospitals in Nanakramguda in Hyderabad on June 5, after suffering from high blood pressure and shortness of breath. Doctors installed a stent in his heart and put him on a ventilator in the intensive care unit, where he breathed his last at 4:50 a.m. on Saturday after his condition deteriorated. Ramoji Rao successfully recovered from colon cancer a few years ago.

Ramoji Rao’s rise to riches is an inspiring story. Born into a farming family on November 16, 1936, in Peddapparubuddi village in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh, he went on to found the world’s largest theme park and film studio, Ramoji Film City. Margadarsi Chit Fund, Eenadu Newspaper, ETV Network, Ramadevi Public School, Priya Foods, Kalanjali, Ushakiran Movies, Mayuri Film Distributors, and Dolphin Group of Hotels are the companies owned by Ramoji Rao.

As a media baron, Ramoji Rao had undeniable control over Telugu politics. Many state and national leaders had close relations with Ramoji Rao and looked to him for advice on crucial matters. The Indian government honored Ramoji Rao with India’s second highest civilian award, the Padma Vibhushan, in 2016 for his invaluable contributions in the fields of journalism, literature, cinema and education.

Ramoji Rao turned film director with the terrific romantic drama Srivariki Premalekha in 1984. He went on to produce many classics, like Mayuri, Pratigatana, Munna Puratam, Manasu Mamata, Chitram and Nuvi Kavali, to name a few. Dagudumootha Dandakor (2015) is his last film as a producer. His films have won the prestigious Nandi, Filmfare and National Film Awards several times.

123telugu extends its deepest condolences to the family members and friends of the legendary Ramoji Rao in their hour of grief.

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