Veteran director-producer T Rama Rao passed away in Chennai during the early hours of Wednesday, April 20. He was 83. The man was synonymous with actor Jeetendra's blockbusters in the 1980s. Rama Rao had helmed 70 films in Telugu and Hindi, besides bankrolling blockbusters in Tamil.
A resident of Chennai's T Nagar neighbourhood, Rama Rao died at around 12.30 am because of an age-related illness. His last rites will be held at the Kannammapet crematorium at 4 pm on Wednesday. He's survived by his wife Tatineni Jayashree and children Chamundeswari, Naga Suseela and Ajay.
Beginning his directorial journey in 1969 with Navarathri, Rama Rao worked with a number of top Telugu stars, including NTR, ANR, Shoban Babu, Krishna, Balakrishna, Sridevi, Jayapradha and Jayasudha. Rama Rao directed Telugu films such as Navarathri, Jeevana Tarangalu, Brahmachari, Aalumagalu, Yamagola, Presidenti Gari Abbayi, Illalu, Pandani Jeevitham and Pachani Kaapuram, among others.
One of the pioneering southern directors to also work in Bollywood, Rama Rao entered the Hindi film industry in 1979 and got to team up with leading actors such as Amitabh Bachchan, Jeetendra, Dharmendra, Sanjay Dutt, Anil Kapoor, Govinda and Mithun Chakraborty.
He was credited with introducing Superstar Rajinikanth in Hindi cinema with Andhaa Kanoon. He also made several superhit movies in Hindi such as Judai, Jeevan Dhara, Ek Hi Bhool, Andhaa Kanoon, Inqulaab, Insaf Ki Pukar, Watan Ke Rakhwale, Dosti Dushmani, Nache Mayuri, John Jani Janardhan, Raavan Raj, Muqabla, Hathkadi and Jung.
Rama Rao started the 'Madras Movie' trend in which Hindi films produced by southern production houses emerged as successful commercial propositions in traditional Hindi film markets. Several members from the film fraternity condoled the death of the stalwart director. Anupam Kher tweeted: "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!"
Rama Rao also produced Tamil films under the banner of Sri Lakshmi Productions and bankrolled movies with leading Tamil actors such as Vikram, Vijay, Jayam Ravi and Vishal. The list of movies include Dhil, Youth, Arul, Something Something Unakum Enakum and Malaikotai. Apart from films, Rama Rao was also the chairman of Madras Hydraulic Hose, a leading manufacturer of stainless steel flexible corrugated hoses.
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