Veteran Producer Edida Nageswara Rao Passes Away

Veterann producer Edida Nageswara Rao passed away yesterday at a private hospital in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad. He was 81.

"He was admitted to the hospital on September 20 following some ailment and he breathed his last at 5 PM while undergoing treatment," hospital sources said.

Rao, who produced a film like Sankarabharanam, Sagara Sangamam, Apathbhandavudu and was also known for movies like Swati Muthyam and Swayam Krushi.

He was born on April 24 in 1934 in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. His last rites will be conducted today, family members said. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu condoled his death. Several Telugu film personalities also expressed grief on his demise.

Sankarabharanam was the first Telugu film to win the national award - Swarna Kamal in the category of the best film with mass appeal.

His films Sagara Sangamam and Sitara also won national awards. He was nominated for the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke Award.

He also served the film industry at both the state and the national level in various capacities. Rao was also the President of Telugu Film Producers Council.