Telugu filmmaker Kodi Ramakrishna, known for movies like Arundhati and Anji, passed away at a private hospital in Hyderabad earlier today. Ramakrishna was brought in yesterday morning after he complained of acute breathlessness.
Ramakrishna was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and was kept on the ventilator. It has also been reported that a special of doctors were brought in from Chennai for his treatment. His health kept deteriorating and the filmmaker breathed his last today afternoon.
The cause of death has been determined to be a lung infection. A few years back, he had suffered a heart attack and a paralytic attack as well. He had made a complete recovery back then.
Ramakrishna was born on July 23 in Pakakollu in West Godavari district. He made his directorial debut with the 1982 film Intlo Ramayya Veedhilo Krishnayya. In a career spanning over 30 years, he made over 100 films. Apart from being a director, he was also a screenwriter and actor. He has also helmed projects in Hindi, Malayalam and Tamil.
His most famous works include Managamma Gari Manavadu, Arundhati, Puttintiki Ra Chelli, Allari Pilla, Bharat Bandh and Muddula Mavayya. Arundhati featuring Anushka Shetty in the lead role, went on to win ten state Nandhi Awards and two Filmfare Awards South. In Tamil, he is known for the Sarathkumar starrer Captain, and Amman.
His acting credits include Dongata, Aasti Mooredu Aasha Baaredu, Attagaaroo Swagatam, Inti Donga and Mudilla Muchata.
His last film as director was 2014’s Avatharam. For his contributions to Telugu cinema, Ramakrishna was conferred with the Raghupathi Venkaiah Award in 2012.
Condolences have been pouring in for the filmmaker on social media.
Legendary Director Kodi Ramakrishna passed away. May his soul rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/SGJSkoNhiG
— Vamsi Kaka (@vamsikaka) February 22, 2019
Rest is peace sir!?i have no words to say in grief. Na life lo marchipoleni rendu adbhutamaina avakasalu naku icharu. Ippatiki kooda nannu andaru AYYAPA ani pilichela chesaru.?? mee runam appatiki teerchukolenidi. Meeru leni lotu poodchalenidi! #kodiramakrishnagaru #Rip #Legend pic.twitter.com/0AN3TseVrJ
— Tanish Alladi (@IAmTanishAlladi) February 22, 2019
Rest is peace sir!?i have no words to say in grief. Na life lo marchipoleni rendu adbhutamaina avakasalu naku icharu. Ippatiki kooda nannu andaru AYYAPA ani pilichela chesaru.?? mee runam appatiki teerchukolenidi. Meeru leni lotu poodchalenidi! #kodiramakrishnagaru #Rip #Legend pic.twitter.com/0AN3TseVrJ
— Tanish Alladi (@IAmTanishAlladi) February 22, 2019
Rest in peace sir… my deepest condolences and prayers to the family #RipKodiRamaKrishna Garu pic.twitter.com/prGhaEdbP8
— Sai Dharam Tej (@IamSaiDharamTej) February 22, 2019
Rest In Peace Kodi Ramakrishna garu. A huge loss for the Industry
— Kalyanram Nandamuri (@NANDAMURIKALYAN) February 22, 2019
We lost a pioneer. A visionary filmmaker who discovered the potentiality for VFX films on Telugu Screen. #Ammoru & #Arundhati are my personal favourites. #KodiRamakrishna Garu will be missed. My deepest condolences. May his soul rest in peace.
— Sudheer Babu (@isudheerbabu) February 22, 2019
A huge loss to #TFI..His contribution to cinema remains remarkable with so many path breaking films like #Arundhati #Ammoru #ManganmaGariManavudu #Ankusam and many others..Strength to the family and loved ones..RIP #KodiRamakrishna garu..
— Lakshmi Manchu (@LakshmiManchu) February 22, 2019
Legendary Director & Producer #kodiramakrishna Garu Is No More.
Our Deepest Condolences. May your soul Rest In Peace.#ripkodiramakrishnagaru— Ganta Srinivasa Rao (@Ganta_Srinivasa) February 22, 2019
Image Courtesy: India Today
