Movie Moghul D Rama Naidu passes away
D Ramanaidu, a filmmaker par excellence
D Ramanaidu had also served as a member of parliament for the Baptala constituency of Guntur District in the 13th Lok Sabha from 1999-2004. Multilingual Indian film producer, Daggubati Ramanaidu passed away today in Hyderabad after a long battle with cancer.
In a career spanning more than five decades, D Ramanaidu produced more than 130 films and has a Guinness record, a Dadasaheb Phalke award and a Padma Bhushan to his credit.
The founder of Suresh Productions, D Ramanaidu held the Guinness Book of World Records for the most films produced by an individual, having produced more than 150 films in 13 Indian languages.
He made his debut in cinema with 1963 film Anuragam' followed by the superhit Ramudu-Bheemudu' starring legendary N T Rama Rao in 1964.
Apart from Telugu films, he produced movies in Hindi, Bengali, Oriya, Assamese, Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, Gujarati, Marathi and Bhojpuri.
He had also served as a Member of Parliament for the Baptala constituency of Guntur District in the 13th Lok Sabha from 1999-2004.
In 2009, Ramanaidu received the Dada Saheb Phalke Award for Lifetime Achievement in the film industry for his outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian Cinema, and in 2012 he was conferred with the Padma Bhushan, in recognition for his contribution to Telugu cinema.
Some of his other well known films were Srikrishna Tulabharam' (which won a national award for its lead actress Saratha), Preminchu' Ramudu Bheemudu', Bobbili Raja', Ahana Pellanta', Andhra Vaibhavam', Kathanayakudu' in Telegu and Asukh', Sudhu Ekbar Bolo' in Bengali.
Rama Naidu worked with artists like NTR, A Nageswara Rao, Sivaji Ganesan, Pandari Bai, Jamuna, Padmini, Sobhan Babu, Kamal Haasan, Jayaprada, Chiranjeevi, Rajinikanth, Rajesh Khanna, Hema Malini, Rekha, Jeetendra and Sridevi.
He built a great track record in the industry for introducing numerous film directors as well as artistes and technicians.
Prominent artistes introduced by him include Venkatesh, Harish, Vanisri, Aryan Rajesh, Tabu, Khushboo, Allari Naresh and Malasree.
Rama Naidu set up studios, recording, preview and dubbing theatres and laboratories in Hyderabad and Vishakapatnam.
His children are producer Suresh Babu Daggubati, actor Venkatesh Daggubati and daughter Daggubati Lakshmi.
Actor Rana Daggubati, a Telugu and Bollywood actor, is his grandson.
Ramanaidu used to contribute a substantial part of his earnings to numerous philanthropic purposes including the Ramanaidu Charitable Trust that was founded in 1991.
Apart from the various Telugu movies that he produced, Rajesh Khanna - Hema Malini starrer Premnagar' followed by Dildar', the 1993 release Anari' starring Karisma Kapoor and son Venkatesh, Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain' (1999), Prem Qaidi (1991) and Kucch Tum Kaho Kuchh Hum Kahein' (2002) are some of the Hindi movies that were made under his production.
Movie mogul D Ramanaidu succumbed to cancer on February 18, leaving behind a rich cinematic legacy.
His body was kept at the Ramanaidu studio in Hyderabad for fans and members of the film industry to pay their last respects.
A look at the pictures: From film industry and political feild
Ramanaidu's son Venkatesh says goodbye to his father.
Politician Daggubati Purandeswari pays her respects.
Actor Brahmanandam has worked in films like Mugguru and Super Heroes with Ramanaidu.
Director B Gopal directed his first film Sharada (1986) under Ramanaidu's banner.
Director Puri Jagannath, who has made films like Badri, Pokiri and the Amitabh Bachchan-starrer Bbuddha Hoga Tera Baap, arrives.
Director Raghvendra Rao pays his respects.
Prakash Raj takes a last look at the legendary filmmaker. He tweeted his condolence: 'Padma bhushana #Dr.Rama Naidu Garu... Thank you for enriching cinema.. We may never see the likes of u..Salute...RIP.'
Rajendra Prasad, whose son recently got married, arrives.
Actor Ravi Teja.
Actor Sai Kumar worked with Ramanaidu in the film Bommalaata.
Politician YS Jagan pays his last respects.
Filmmaker Allu Aravind (right) was spotted with his son, Allu Arjun.
Chiranjeevi talks to the media. and Murlimohan
Actors Dr Rajashekar and Tarun spotted.
Nagarjuna, who was previously married to Ramanaidu's daughter Lakshmi, pays his respects.
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