NEW DELHI, June 8: The media tycoon Cherukuri Ramoji Rao, the head of “Eenadu” newspaper, ETV Network and the founder of Hyderabad’s Ramoji Film City, who starting from Telegu expanded to English and many regional languages, died in Hyderabad early on Saturday. He was 87.
Mr Rao was admitted to Star Hospital in Hyderabad on June 5 after experiencing high blood pressure and breathlessness where the end came just before the sunrise on Saturday.
Cherukuri Ramoji Rao was born on November 16, 1936, in Pedaparupudi, Andhra Pradesh, in a farmer’s family. His parents, Venkata Subbarao and Venkata Subbamma, named him Ramayya in memory of his grandfather, which he later changed to “Ramoji.”
Mr Rao studied at Gudivada Municipal High School before getting his B.Sc degree from Gudivada College. After completing his education, he started his career in Delhi, working as an artist for an advertising agency. 3. On August 10, 1974, Mr Rao founded the Telugu daily Eenadu in Visakhapatnam. The newspaper gained quick popularity and became a leading publication in four years. It will celebrate its 50th anniversary in August this year.
He founded the Ramoji Film City, the world’s largest film studio and also headed the ETV Network of television channels. Mr Rao was also the Chairman of the Margadarshi Group of Companies and oversaw various businesses, including Margadarshi Chit Fund, Priya Foods and Kalanjali. Mr Rao was awarded the second highest civilian award, the Padma Vibhushan, in 2016, by then-President Pranab Mukherjee.
The Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi, on Saturday, condoled the passing away of the media baron. He called the death of the Eenadu group’s Chairman extremely saddening and said he left an indelible mark on 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 world of films. Through his noteworthy efforts, he set new standards for innovation and excellence in the media and entertainment world,” he posted on X.
“Ramoji Rao Garu was extremely passionate about India’s development. I am fortunate to have had several opportunities to interact with him and benefit from his wisdom. Condolences to his family, friends and countless admirers during this difficult time. Om Shanti,” added PM Narendra Modi, who also shared a file picture of his meeting with Ramoji Rao.
Mr Ramoji Rao’s motto of delivering the newspaper before sunrise changed the way people read news in the combined Andhra Pradesh for decades, and on June 8 he silently slipped into a new world before sunrise leaving behind millions of his loyal readers and hundreds of journalists who owe their careers to him.
The media tycoon who heralded unthinkable changes in the media world over the last five decades, left an indelible mark not only on the media but also on films, hospitality, the financial sector, the food industry, and also the politics of two Telugu States. He rose to the position of owning the largest media houses with the widest reach in the country at one point of time. His success lay in his approach of daring to dream, and it yielded results.
When the entire Telugu media houses were in Vijayawada and some of them in Hyderabad and the political class sitting in Hyderabad his decision to launch Eenadu newspaper from Vishakapatnam in 1974 was seen as a revolution and calculated bravery. The move paid off and the publication quickly moved across the State touching every village. It continues to be the largest circulated Telugu daily with numerous editions not just in Telugu States but also in the neighbouring States.
Ramoji Rao impacted the lives of millions riding on the positivity of social consciousness of the newspaper. Venturing into electronic media with a bang when it was still in a nascent stage in the country showcased his vision. He was the first to offer a 24-hour news channel in Telugu apart from several Southern languages.
But his versatility was not limited to the media. He founded the world’s largest film city – Ramoji Film City on the outskirts of Hyderabad spread over 2,000 acres; Ushakiron Movies produced award-winning films, and also Priya Foods that is part and parcel of Telugu homes not just in India but also abroad. The Margadarshi Chit Fund though was in the eye of a storm due to political reasons strengthened the small savings industry.
He was honoured with Padma Vibhushan in 2016 for his contribution to the field of journalism. He produced more than 60 films in Telugu, Hindi and other Indian languages and some of the sensational films of that era including Prathighatana, Mayuri, Mouna Poratam and Nuvve Kaavali.
Ramoji Rao’s penchant for the Telugu language and its preservation and promotion was well-known and he used the wide reach of his newspaper and Television channels to spread the beauty of the language. The Telugu words coined by Eenadu have become part of the language’s lexicon.
The Telangana Government has decided to perform his last rites to be held on Sunday with State honours. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, who is in New Delhi to attend the Congress Working Committee meeting, directed the Chief Secretary Shanti Kumari to make arrangements. Mr Reddy also spoke to the family members of Ramoji Rao.
(Manas Dasgupta)