Ramoji Rao

Indian businessman, media proprietor and film producer (1936–2024)

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Cherukuri Ramoji Rao (16 November 1936 – 8 June 2024) was an Indian businessman, media proprietor and film producer. He was head of the Ramoji Group which owns the world's largest film production facility Ramoji Film City, Eenadu newspaper, ETV Network of TV channels, film production company Usha Kiran Movies.

His other business ventures included Margadarsi Chit Fund, Dolphin Group of Hotels, Kalanjali Shopping Mall, Priya Pickles, ETV Win OTT platform and Mayuri Film Distributors.

Rao garnered four Filmfare Awards South, five Nandi Awards and the National Film Award for his works in Telugu cinema. In 2016, he was honoured with the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian honour, for his contributions in journalism, literature and education.

Personal life

Cherukuri Ramoji Rao was born on 16 November 1936 in a Telugu family in Pedaparupudi of Krishna District, Madras Presidency (now Andhra Pradesh), India. Companies owned by the Ramoji Group include Margadarsi Chit Fund, Eenadu newspaper, ETV Network, Ramadevi Public School, Priya Foods, Kalanjali, Usha Kiran Movies, and Ramoji Film City near Hyderabad. He was also the chairman of Dolphin Group of Hotels in Andhra Pradesh.

Rao's younger son, Cherukuri Suman, died of leukaemia on 7 September 2012. Rao died from heart disease in Hyderabad, on 8 June 2024, at the age of 87. He was cremated with state honours at Ramoji Film City, on 9 June 2024, where his memorial is expected to come up.

Filmography

Films

Television

Awards and honours

Civilian honours

Padma Vibhushan (2016) – Government of India

National Film Awards

National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu (producer) – Nuvve Kavali (2000)

Filmfare Awards

Filmfare Best Film Award (Telugu) – Pratighatana (1985)
Filmfare Special Award - South for outstanding contributions towards Indian cinema (1998)
Filmfare Best Film Award (Telugu) – Nuvve Kavali (2000)
Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award - South (2004)