Ramoji Rao, the head of the ETV Network and Ramoji Film City, died at 87 while undergoing treatment in Hyderabad on Saturday.
MM Keeravani was most excited about winning the Oscar for Ramoji, he had said.
The song Naatu Naatu from SS Rajamouli’s RRR made history as the first Indian film song to win an Oscar. After MM Keeravaani and Chandrabose won the award for Best Original Song, they were honoured at an event in Hyderabad. There, Keeravaani shared that Ramoji Rao inspired him to win.
Keeravaani’s song beat big names like Lady Gaga and Rihanna at the 95th Academy Awards. He said he was most excited about winning for Ramoji, and the award felt valuable because it made Ramoji happy.
He said, “My wife always says that one must live like Ramoji Rao at least for a day. I was initially not excited about being nominated for the Oscar. But, when I met Ramoji Rao, he told me to bring the award home. I thought, if he is giving such importance to the Oscars, I have to win it. I felt like the award had value then and even was nervous the few seconds before they announced the award. Not for me, for him.”
Meanwhile, filmmaker SS Rajamouli also talked about Ramoji Rao’s work in his tribute note on X and demanded a Bharat Ratna for him. “ONE man with his 50 years of resilience, hardwork and innovation provided employment, livelihood and hope for millions. The only way we can pay tribute to Ramoji Rao garu is conferring him with BHARAT RATNA,” he wrote.
Among others, Jr NTR also penned a long note on his X handle and called the news of Rao’s demise “very sad”. “Visionaries like Sri Ramoji Rao are one in a million. A media tycoon and a giant of Indian cinema, his absence is irreparable. The news that he is no longer with us is very sad,” he wrote.
“I will never forget the memories when I was introduced to the Telugu film industry with the film ‘Ninnu Chhadalani’. May his soul rest in peace and convey my deepest condolences to his family,” the actor, who will soon be seen in War 2, added.
Ram Charan, who is currently shooting for Game Changer, also paid tributes to Rao on the film’s sets. A photo of the Telugu superstar with his crew has surfaced on social media.
