It was during the unveiling of Ramoji Film City in 1996 that Ramoji Rao addressed some media people on his ambitious dream. The world’s largest film studio complex, Ramoji Film City, was intended to provide for filmmakers all necessary infrastructure and resources to make a movie from inception to completion. “Probably this would be my last venture,” he said.
In 1974, people living in Andhra Pradesh were awakened by sample copies of a new Telugu newspaper being pushed under their doors as early as five in the morning. Eenadu was born – reasonably priced daily that quickly won over readers with its innovative design, catchy contents, appealing choice of wordings and headlines which set trends. After this popularization by Eenadu it became common in each Telugu household bringing about another era for journalism in the region.
With the launching of English daily Newstime, he gave a platform for seasoned journalists and opened doors for those who were hoping to start their careers. He had been practicing hands-on-management approach because he used to work as a journalist himself that set out an example on dedication and attention to detail. This author who worked at old newspaper could not help remembering how excited reporters got whenever Mr Ramoji Rao approved their stories; his red pen circling a story seemed like an endorsement which may have validated writers’ efforts.
Launched through Ushodaya Enterprises owned by Ramoji Rao Priya pickles and Soma fruit drink hit major success. Priya pickle has always been part of every traditional Andhra family’s preference list due to its authentic taste and quality, hence they were frequently sent abroad as gifts amongst relatives living overseas. Despite being short-lived Soma became one of the first Indian products to be packaged in sachets thereby clearly indicating his forward-thinking nature while also showcasing his organization’s innovativeness within FMCG industry.
As usual, RJ investments prove beyond doubt that they are leaders in diverse businesses. Margadarsi, which is a financial services company and Mayuri, which is a film distribution company are some of these ventures.
Ramoji Rao started his first step in the film business by setting up Ushakiron Movies in 1983. Its first production Srivariki Premalekha directed by Jandhyala in 1984 was one among many critically acclaimed and commercially successful films made across various Indian languages for several years to come. This movie marked a turning point in Telugu cinema from tear-jerking melodrama to light-hearted family-oriented comedy with humor woven into the main narrative.
Yet it had been the 1984 Singeetham Srinivasa Rao-directed film called Mayuri that signaled another shift in Indian cinema when Ramoji Rao wanted to bring real life stories on screen; it even starred Sudha Chandran who played herself, portraying her role as an injured classical dancer during this accident. Its box office success led to its Hindi version Nache Mayuri.
On witnessing news of a tribal woman protesting at the residence of her suitor who betrayed her Ramoji Rao decided to capture that struggle of one such woman from remote Orissa village on celluloid and he produced Mouna Poratam launching debutante Yamuna as the lead actress.
He decided to make a biopic on Ashwini Nachappa, the former track and field athlete, and chose it as his next film “Ashwini”. The movie was called India’s FloJo and in this movie she played her real self for some time acting in the Kannada film industry.
Usha Kiron Movies has produced many other commercially successful films such as Pratighatana (1984) with Vijayashanti in the lead role, Chitram (1999), Nuvve Kaavaali (2000), which have launched several actors, directors and technicians of Tollywood.
Beside film production, Ramoji Rao’s media conglomerate Ramoji Group expanded into various sectors starting from television with its first channel Eenadu Television Network launched in 1995. Andhra Pradesh’s first-ever 24-hour satellite entertainment channel is ETV.
Soap opera Antarangalu by ETV was the game-changer while Paduta Teeyaga was one of those shows which set initial trends for Telugu television. For twenty-five years now Paduta Teeyaga has made SP Balasubrahmanyam one of its most adorable hosts ever who also discovered many talented individuals all over Telugu states.
It is so sad that Ramoji Rao died but he will always be remembered for his great contributions to Indian cinema and media.
