Chandrababu Naidu Attends the Funeral of Ramoji Rao

The last rites for industrialist and media mogul Ramoji Rao were held at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad on Sunday morning. The funeral was conducted with state honours provided by the Telangana government. TDP chief N. Chandrababu Naidu attended the ceremony, and the Andhra Pradesh government designated three senior IAS officers to be present. Additionally, the state government declared a period of State mourning on Sunday and Monday (June 9-10).

Ramoji Rao passed away at the age of 87 while undergoing treatment at Star Hospitals in Hyderabad early on Saturday.

Top leaders, including President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi, expressed their condolences on Saturday. Reflecting on Rao’s life, Modi wrote, “When I think of Ramoji Rao Garu, I recall a multifaceted luminary whose brilliance had no parallel. He hailed from an agrarian family and went on to make a mark in diverse worlds—cinema, entertainment, media, agriculture, education, and governance. But what remained common during his entire life journey was his humility and connect with the grassroots. These traits endeared him to a broad spectrum of people.”

“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,” Modi 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,” he added.

Ramoji Rao’s legacy is extensive, encompassing numerous successful business ventures and media productions. Under his leadership, Eenadu became a major force in Telugu media. His other enterprises included the film production house Usha Kiran Movies, the film distribution company Mayuri Film Distributors, the financial services firm Margadarsi Chit Fund, and the hotel chain Dolphin Group of Hotels. He also headed the ETV Network of television channels. In 2016, he was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian award, by then-President Pranab Mukherjee.