Celebrated Telugu film producer Daggubati Ramanaidu is no more

18 Feb 2015 4:43 PM IST

Veteran film producer and founder of Suresh Productions D Ramanaidu lost his battle with prostrate cancer on Wednesday. Photo: Facebook
Ramanaidu is survived by wife Rajeswari, sons Suresh Babu Daggubati (producer), Venkatesh Daggubati (actor) and daughter Lakshmi.
Ramanaidu produced his first film ‘Anuragam’ in 1963. His second film ‘Ramudu Bheemudu’ had superstar N T Rama Rao as main lead and was his first major success.
The producer also owned a charitable trust and contributed a substantial part of his earnings to philanthropic activities. He had opened the Ramanaidu Charitable Trust in 1991, for the upliftment of the economically weak.
Besides films, the producer also had a successful political career. He was a member of the Telugu Desam Party, and had represented Baptala constituency in Guntur District in the 13th Lok Sabha from 1999–2004.
In 2009, Ramanaidu was conferred with Dada Saheb Phalke award for lifetime achievement in film industry.
Ramanaidu received the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award, from the Government of India in 2012 for his contribution to Telugu cinema. In 2009, Ramanaidu was conferred the Dada Saheb Phalke award for lifetime achievement in the film
Very few know that Ramanaidu held a Guiness world record for producing as many as 150 films in 13 Indian languages.
The Telugu film industry has reacted with shock and grief at the passing of this very successful producer.
The 78-year-old producer breathed his last at his home.

Veteran film producer and founder of Suresh Productions D Ramanaidu lost his battle with prostrate cancer on Wednesday. Photo: Facebook