The director-producer, who introduced Rajinikanth to Hindi-speaking audiences in 1983, succumbed to an age-related illness in Chennai.
Veteran filmmaker T Rama Rao dies at 83
Chennai - 20 Apr 2022 13:36 IST
Updated : 13:41 IST
Haricharan Pudipeddi
Veteran director-producer T Rama Rao, who had helmed 70 films in Telugu and Hindi besides bankrolling a few Tamil blockbusters, died in Chennai in the early hours of Wednesday. He was 83. According to a statement, he died of an age-related illness and his last rites will be performed at 4 pm on Wednesday.
Rama Rao worked with many top stars like NT Rama Rao, Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Sobhan Babu, Krishna, Balakrishna, Sridevi, Jaya Prada and Jayasudha and directed Telugu films such as Navarathri (1966), Brahmachari (1968), Jeevana Tharangalu (1973), Aalu Magalu (1977), Yamagola (1977), Illalu (1981), Pachani Kapuram (1985) and Presidentgari Abbayi (1987).
Actor Anupam Kher remembered Rama Rao as a compassionate, commanding man with a good sense of humour.
He tweeted: “Deeply saddened to know about the demise of veteran filmmaker & a dear friend Shri T Rama Rao ji. I had the privilege of working with him in Aakhri Raasta and Sansaar. He was compassionate, commanding & had a great sense of humour. My condolences to his family! Om Shanti! (sic).”
Deeply saddened to know about the demise of veteran filmmaker & a dear friend Shri #TRamaRao ji. I had the privilege of working with him in #AakhriRaasta and #Sansaar!! He was compassionate, commanding & had a great sense of humour. My condolences to his family! Om Shanti! 🙏♿️ pic.twitter.com/k66KwN8ymT
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) April 20, 2022
Rama Rao entered the Hindi film industry in 1979 and worked with stars such as Amitabh Bachchan, Jeetendra, Dharmendra, Sanjay Dutt, Anil Kapoor, Govinda and Mithun Chakraborty. He had the distinction of introducing Rajinikanth to Hindi audiences with the movie Andhaa Kaanoon (1983).
He made smash hits in Hindi such as Judaai (1980), Ek Hi Bool (1981), Jeevan Dhaara (1982), Inquilaab (1984), John Jani Janardhan (1984), Dosti Dushmani (1986), Nache Mayuri (1986), Insaf Ki Pukar (1987), Watan Ke Rakhwale (1987), Muqabla (1993), Ravan Raaj (1995), Haathkadi (1995) and Jung (1996).
According to Encyclopedia Britannica, Rama Rao was the man who established the 'Madras movie', or Hindi films funded primarily from the southern capital as viable commercial offerings in the pan-India market.
He made Tamil films under the banner Sri Lakshmi Productions, producing movies with leading actors Vikram, Vijay, Jayam Ravi and Vishal such as Dhill (2001), Youth (2002), Arul (2004) and Malaikotai (2007).
