Ramoji Rao, the head of ETV Network and the founder of Hyderabad's Ramoji Film City, died early Saturday. He was 87. Mr Rao was admitted to Star Hospital in Hyderabad on June 5 after experiencing high blood pressure and breathlessness.
Five facts about Ramoji Rao:
1. Cherukuri Ramoji Rao was born on November 16, 1936, in Pedaparupudi, Andhra Pradesh, in a farmer's family. His parents, Venkata Subbarao and Venkata Subbamma, named him Ramayya in memory of his grandfather, which he later changed to “Ramoji”.
2. Mr Rao studied at Gudivada Municipal High School before getting his B.Sc degree from Gudivada College. After completing his education, he started his career in Delhi, working as an artist for an advertising agency.
3. On August 10, 1974, Mr Rao founded the Telugu daily Eenadu in Visakhapatnam. The newspaper gained quick popularity and became a leading publication in four years. It will celebrate its 50th anniversary in August this year.
4. He founded Ramoji Film City, the world's largest film studio and also headed the ETV Network of television channels. Mr Rao was also the Chairman of the Margadarshi Group of Companies and oversaw various businesses, including Margadarsi Chit Fund, Priya Foods and Kalanjali.
5. Mr Rao was awarded the second highest civilian award, the Padma Vibhushan, in 2016, by then-President Pranab Mukherjee.
Featured Video Of The Day
Inside Gurmeet Choudhary's Chhath Puja Festivities With Fans
Ramoji Rao's Family Donates Rs 10 Crore For Development Of Amaravati Ramoji Rao Resisted Congress When It "Harassed" NTR, Writes PM Modi Chandrababu Naidu Carries Ramoji Rao's Remains As Media Baron Cremated Trump's Immigration Curbs To Impact Millions Of Indians, Their Children Elon Musk Replies To 'We Need Your Help Removing Trudeau' Post "I Don't See Future In US": Musk's Transgender Daughter After Trump's Win TV Actor Nitin Chauhaan, Found Dead At Home, Was Battling Depression: Cops Applications Invited For 2,000 Constable Positions In Uttarakhand Northeast's Biggest Insurgent Group Threatens To End 27-Year-Old Ceasefire Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.