The industry paid rich tributes to producer Edida Nageswara Rao who passed away on Sunday in Hyderabad
Producer Edida Nageswara Rao receiving an award from Indian president Neelam Sanjiva Reddy
Chiranjeevi, Allu Aravind, D. Suresh Babu, K. Viswanath, K. Raghavendra Rao, Ali, Aswini Dutt, Allu Arjun, Suman and others visited the late producer’s house to pay their last respects.
He took Telugu cinema to the world: Chiranjeevi
Chiranjeevi had worked in three films with Edida — a cameo in Tayaramma Bangaramma and later played the lead in Swayamkrushi and Apadhbandhavudu. “Our relationship was not like a producer and actor, he was a very close family friend. From my marriage onwards, he was there with me,” said Chiranjeevi.
“My father-in-law Allu Ramalingaiah garu was also a good family friend of Edida,” he added. He said that all of Edida’s films were classics. “He took Telugu cinema to the world. He showed Telugu culture and tradition to the world through his films. All his films are classics not only for Telugu, but for Indian cinema,” said Chiranjeevi.
It’s a personal loss to me: K. Viswanath
K. Viswanath, who has directed most of the films produced by Edida, said, “It’s a personal loss for me. I can’t explain the relationship that we shared. We know each other before I directed his first film Sirisir-imuvva and from then onwards, he become my family. Today, people still talk about Sankarabharanam because of him. He is my “care of” address as he made most of his films with me as director. His death is a shock to me and I don’t have words.”
We would call him for all functions first: Allu Arjun
If you look at his films like Sankarabharanam, Sagara Sangamam, Swathi Mutyam, Swayamkrushi and others, they were all classics and fantastic films. He never made films with an eye on business as he always wanted to show our traditions and culture,” said Allu Arjun. “In our home, for any function we would call him first. He was that close to our family. He gave respect to the Telugu Film Industry through his films,” he added.
Recalling an incident at the time of Swathi Mutyam, the actor said, “At that time, Edida garu wanted a few kids to act in Swathi Mutyam and came to our house to take my brother and sister to act in the film.” “I don’t have words to explain his contribution to Telugu cinema,” added the actor.
Every artiste should feel proud: Suman
Suman, who was lead actor in the classic Sithara produced by Edida, said: “He was one of the most dedicated producers I have ever seen. Also, I don’t know classical dance, but I had to dance in a few scenes. Nageswara garu sent me for classical dance training for a few days. I feel that any actor, whether it’s Chiranjeevi or Kamal, would be proud to act under the Poornodaya banner.”
He gave a new dimension to cinema: Rajendra Prasad
Many have an opinion that films that win awards are not successful commercially, but Edida Garu proved them wrong. He made classic films and all of them were successful. He never made a film for money and he always showed Telugu values in his films.”
He gave importance to music: S. Janaki
I have sang in all his films. He had good taste in music and all his films were musical hits. I won the National Award for a song in his film Sitara. It was a great honour to sing in his films.”
He Treated me like a son: Ali
Comedian Ali had been a child actor in Seethakoka Chiluka. He came to Rajahm-undry and gave me accommodation in his house. He told me to stay with his sons and also treated me like his son. He was the most disciplined person.”
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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