![Ramoji Film City Founder Ramoji Rao](https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/fit-in/640x430/filters:format(webp)/popdiaries/media/media_files/uSZ5DGKypi0ZR6WK3J9H.jpeg)
Image: Ramoji Film City Founder Ramoji Rao
The Indian entertainment industry has lost a towering figure with the demise of Ramoji Rao, the founder of the world-renowned Ramoji Film City, at the age of 87. Rao's passing has sent shockwaves through the film fraternity, with tributes pouring in from luminaries such as Kangana Ranaut, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and celebrated director S.S. Rajamouli.
Ramoji Rao's legacy is etched indelibly in the annals of Indian cinema. His brainchild, Ramoji Film City, located in Hyderabad, is a sprawling cinematic wonderland that has hosted countless film and television productions, earning it the moniker of the "World's Largest Integrated city."
With its state-of-the-art production facilities, meticulously crafted sets, and unparalleled infrastructure, Ramoji Film City has played a pivotal role in propelling the growth and global recognition of Indian cinema. It has served as a veritable playground for filmmakers, enabling them to bring their grandest visions to life on an unprecedented scale.
Rao's vision extended far beyond the realms of entertainment, as he also ventured into media and publishing, establishing the successful Eenadu Group, which includes the widely circulated Telugu daily newspaper Eenadu and various television channels.
Tributes from industry stalwarts poured in, with Kangana Ranaut praising Rao as a "visionary" who "made the business of art accessible." Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed him as a "creative genius" who "strengthened media and hospitality" in India. S.S. Rajamouli, the director of the blockbuster "Baahubali" films, which was shot at Ramoji Film City, expressed his gratitude for Rao's "monumental contribution to Indian cinema."
Ramoji Rao's passing marks the end of an era, but his legacy will endure through the countless films, television shows, and artistic works that have been brought to life within the confines of his brainchild, Ramoji Film City. His visionary spirit and unwavering commitment to nurturing the Indian entertainment industry will continue to inspire generations of filmmakers and artists to come.
As the curtain falls on this media titan's remarkable life, the Indian film industry stands united in mourning the loss of a true pioneer whose impact on the country's cultural landscape is immeasurable.