Telugu filmmaker and former Central Minister, Dasari Narayana Rao, died of heart failure at KIMS Hospital in Hyderabad earlier today. He was 75 years old.
The filmmaker had reportedly complained of chest pain four days ago, after which he was admitted to KIMS for medical treatment.
Born on May 4, 1942, in Palakol, Andhra Pradhesh, Dasari Narayana Rao was a man of diverse talents. He made his debut with Tata Manavadu in 1972, starring SV Ranga Rao, Potti Veeraiah, and Anjali Devi. The film turned out to be a huge hit, running at the theatres for 25 weeks. The film won the Nandi Award for Best Feature Film that year. The film’s song Anubandham Atmiyata Anta Oka Bootakam is adjudged to be one of the Telugu cinema’s most popular songs.
Rao was known for focusing on social injustice, corruption and gender discrimination in his films. In his 45 year career, Rao has won two National Awards, nine Nandi Awards and four Filmfare Awards. He also held a Limca World Record for directing the most number of films.
Narayana Rao was also known for introducing several newcomers who went on to become stars in the industry, some of them being: Mohan Babu, R Narayana Murthy, Raviraja Pinisetty, Muthyala Subbaiah among others.
His last film was Erra Bus and starred Vishnu Manchu and Catherine Tresa in the lead. It was also reported that he was set to make a biopic on late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and had even registered the title Amma.
Several prominent members of the industry have expressed their shock over Rao’s sudden demise:
Deeply shocked by the sudden demise of Dr. Dasari Narayana Rao. The Telugu community & film industry have lost a pillar today.
— N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) May 30, 2017
Rest in Peace Dr Dasari Narayana Rao Garu. A huge loss to the Telugu Film Industry. Praying for strength to the family
— Kalyanram Nandamuri (@NANDAMURIKALYAN) May 30, 2017
We lost a legend .
He will continue to stay with us thru his classics#RIPDasariNarayanaRaoGaru— Nani (@NameisNani) May 30, 2017
Very shocked news. A legendary Director with a lot of achievements is no more. Very sad. Big loss to Indian Cinema,??? https://t.co/cJKLWZSliH
— Dhananjayan Govind (@Dhananjayang) May 30, 2017
RIP #Dasarinarayanarao garu!! U shall always be remembered ! #legend
— Rakul Preet (@Rakulpreet) May 30, 2017
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Feature Image: South Scope
