DVS Raju passes away at 82

Veteran producer and father figure of Telugu film industry, DVS Raju (82), passed away on Saturday (November 13). He breathed his last at a private hospital in Hyderabad. He is survived by wife and three children.

Raju was born on December 13th, 1928 in Allavaram, East Godavari district. Till date, he had produced 25 films, including late NT Rama Rao starrer films like Pidugu Ramudu, Chinnanaati Snehithulu etc. His few noted films are Jeevitha Nouka, Jeevana Jyoti, Chanakya Sapadham, Picchi Pullaiah. He also produced Mithun Chakraborty and Rekha starrer Hindi film Mujhe Insaaf Chaahiye.

Raju, who was former chairman of National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), was instrumental in shifting the base of Telugu film industry from Madras to Hyderabad. He had also served as a chairman of State Film Development Corporation in late 80s. The producer was honoured with prestigious Padma Shri award in 2001 and Raghupathi Venkaiah award in 1988.

Many top politicians and celebrities like Chandra Babu Naidu, Chiranjeevi, Balakrishna, Allu Aravind, Paruchuri Gopalakrishna and others paid homage to Raju at his Filmnagar residence.

Oneindia expresses its deepest condolences to the producer family, fans and friends.