PERSONAL INFORMATION
Birth Name: Ramayya
Full Name: Cherukuri Ramoji Rao
Nickname(s): • Rajaguru • Chairman
Profession(s): • Media Baron • Industrialist • Filmmaker
Famous for: Being founder of Ramoji Film City and Telugu newspaper Eenadu
Date of Birth: 16 November 1936 (Monday)
Birthplace: Pedaparupudi, Krishna, Andhra Pradesh, India (then-Madras Presidency, British India)
Age (at the time of death): 87 Years
Zodiac sign: Scorpio
Nationality: Indian
Hometown: Krishna, Andhra Pradesh, India
Religion: Hinduism
Caste: Kamma
Food Habit: Non-Vegetarian
Marriage Date: Year, 1961
Age: 87 Years
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EDUCATION
School: Purapal Konnata School, Gudiwada
College/University: Gudivada College
Educational Qualification: Bachelor of Science (BSc)
PHYSICAL STATISTICS
Eye Colour: Black
Hair Colour: Grey (semi-bald)
FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS
Marital Status: Married
Wife/Spouse: Tatineni Rama Devi
Children: Son – 2 • Kiran Prabhakar (elder) • Suman Prabhakar (died on 7 September 2012 due to leukemia) Daughter – None
Parents: Father – Venkata Subbarao Mother – Venkatasubbamma
Siblings: Brother – None Sister – 2 • Rajyalakshmi • Ranganayakamma
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Debut: As an actor • Telugu Film: Marpu in 1978 (as a judge) As a producer • Telugu Film: Srivariki Premalekha in 1984 • Malayalam Film: Pakarathinu Pakaram in 1986 • Hindi Film: Nache Mayuri in 1986 • Bengali Film: Dr. Munshir Diary in 2000 • Kannada Film: Chitra in 2001 • Tamil Film: Inidhu Inidhu Kadhal Inidhu in 2003
Awards, Honours, Achievements: • 1984: Best Feature Film in Silver category at Nandi Awards for Kanchana Ganga • 1985: Best Telugu Film Award at Filmfare Awards for Pratighatana • 1985: Best Feature Film in Gold category at Nandi Awards for Mayuri • 1989: Best Feature Film in Silver category at Nandi Awards for Mouna Poratam • 1991: Best Feature Film in Bronze category at Nandi Awards for Aswini • 1992: Best Children Film in Gold category at Nandi Awards for Teja • 1998: Filmfare Special Award for South for outstanding contributions towards Indian cinema • 2000: Best Telugu Film Award at Filmfare Awards for Nuvve Kavali • 2000: National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu (producer) for Nuvve Kavali • 2004: Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award of South Cinema • 2016: Padma Vibhushan by Government of India • 10th Yudhvir Memorial Award
MONEY FACTOR
Net Worth (approx.): Rs 40000 crores (at the time of death in 2024)
OTHER INFORMATION
Business Ventures: • Integrated Film City: Ramoji Film City • Film Distribution: Mayuri Film Distributors • Film Production: Ushakiron Movies • Publishing: Ushodaya Enterprises Limited, Suman Advertising Private Limited • Printing: Ramoji Multimedia Private Limited • Radio and TV Broadcasting: Eenadu Television Private Limited • Arts and Crafts: Kalanjali Crafts & Weaves Private Limited • Construction and civil engineering: Om Spiritual City Infra Private Limited • Hospitality Industry: Dolphin Hotels Private Limited • Transport and Travel services: Ushodaya Shipping Private Limited, Ramoji Tourism Gateway Private Limited • Financial services: Margadarsi Housing Private Limited, Margadarsi Chits Private Limited • Accounting and auditing: Manpower Selection and Management Services Private Limited • Business activities: Balbharat Academy, Ramoji Krian Film Ventures Private Limited • Health and Wellness Industry: Ushakiron Wellness Centre Private Limited • Food Manufacturing industry: Priya Foods Private Limited • Chemical Industry: Colorama Printers Private Limited • Textile: Images Hoarding Private Limited • Metal works: L. Chimanlal Industries Private Limited
Last Film: As a producer • Telugu Film: Dagudumootha Dandakor in 2015 • Kannada Film: Savaari in 2009 • Hindi Film: Thoda Tum Badlo Thoda Hum in 2004 • Bengali Film: Bombaiyer Bombete in 2003
Date of Death: 8 June 2024
Place of Death: Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Death Cause: Heart disease
Other Relatives: Brother-in-law – Appa Rao Granddaughter – Keerthi Sohana (Kiran’s elder daughter, married to Raches Veerendra Dev aka Raches Ella) Granddaughter – Brihathi (Kiran’s younger daughter; married to Venkat Akshay) Nephew – Cherukuri Chandramouli Daughter-in-law(s) – 2 • Sailaja Kiran (Kiran Prabhakar’s wife) • Vijayeswari (Suman Prabhakar’s wife)
Sports: Cricket
Death Date: 08/06/2024
INTERESTING BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Ramoji Rao entered the world on a poignant note, just 13 days after the death of his grandfather, a figure who had migrated from Perishepalli to Pedaparupudi. In a heartfelt tribute, he was named ‘Ramayya’ to honor his grandfather’s memory. However, as he stepped into the realm of education, he found himself uncomfortable with this name and opted for ‘Ramoji Rao’ instead—a decision that marked the beginning of his journey towards a distinguished life in business and media. The circumstances of his birth are somewhat ambiguous; while one source suggests he hailed from a wealthy family, another points to humble roots in agriculture, highlighting the complexity of his early life.
In the 1950s, Ramoji made a significant move to Delhi, where he began his career as an artist in an advertising firm. This experience laid the groundwork for his entrepreneurial spirit, which he fully unleashed after marrying and relocating to Hyderabad in 1961. By 1962, he had founded Margadarsi Chit, showcasing his knack for turning opportunities into profitable ventures. His ambitions didn’t stop there; in 1965, he launched Kiran Ads, an advertising firm that marked the beginning of his extensive foray into media and advertising. Subsequently, he ventured into agriculture with the establishment of Vasundhara Fertilisers and created a magazine for farmers named Annadata, reflecting his commitment to supporting the agricultural community.
Ramoji’s vision took a groundbreaking turn in 1974 when he launched the Telugu newspaper Eenadu, with its first edition hit the streets of Visakhapatnam on August 10. At that time, local residents often had to wait until the afternoon for newspapers to arrive via post from Vijayawada. Interestingly, before venturing into publishing, Ramoji had approached KLN Prasad, the owner of the prominent Telugu newspaper Andhra Jyothi, suggesting a Visakhapatnam edition. His proposal was met with laughter, but it only fueled his determination to launch his own paper. Armed with a second-hand printing machine worth Rs 96,000 and a 33-year lease on an abandoned cinema studio, he created a publication that would eventually become the largest Telugu newspaper in circulation, reaching up to 40 lakh copies.
Ramoji’s influence continued to grow throughout the 1980s as he established a close relationship with Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (NTR), providing favorable coverage in his newspaper that aided NTR’s political ascent and the formation of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP). However, his business ventures were not without controversy. In 1997, he openly criticized the Indian central government, expressing a preference for a decentralized ‘United States of India.’ By 2002, he expanded his media empire by launching six additional news channels, ultimately leading to ETV becoming India’s largest regional language news network. His business acumen was further demonstrated in 2009 when he faced legal challenges and sold shares in Ushodaya Enterprises to investment banker Nimesh Kampani, who reportedly acted on behalf of Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries Group.
Ramoji’s legacy is multifaceted; he founded Ramoji Film City in 1996, which became the largest film studio complex in the world, and his shrewd business strategies ensured its success. Often described as reclusive, he preferred to let his work speak for itself, earning a reputation likened to that of Rupert Murdoch. Sadly, Ramoji Rao’s life came to an end on June 8, 2024, after he suffered from high blood pressure and breathlessness. The news of his passing sent ripples through the film and political communities, with tributes pouring in from various corners. His last rites were conducted in the Ramoji Film City, and the Telangana government declared a period of mourning in his honor—a testament to the profound impact he had on the media landscape of India.
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Note: All biographical information compiled from publicly available sources.