Story of a person who inspires you at every step!
Cherukuri Ramoji Rao was one of the most influential businessmen in the Telugu states. He started with a small chit fund company and went on to build Eenadu, the ETV network, Ushakiran Movies, Priya Foods and Ramoji Film City, which Guinness World Records lists as the world's largest film studio complex. He passed away in Hyderabad on 8 June 2024 at the age of 87. This page covers his early life, family, businesses, films and awards.
Ramoji Rao: quick facts
| Full name | Cherukuri Ramoji Rao |
| Born | 16 November 1936, Pedaparupudi village, Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh |
| Died | 8 June 2024, Hyderabad, aged 87 |
| Parents | Cherukuri Venkata Subbaiah and Venkata Subbamma |
| Sisters | Ranganayakamma and Rajyalakshmi |
| Spouse | Rama Devi (married 1961) |
| Sons | Ch. Kiran and Ch. Suman (Suman died in 2012) |
| Known for | Eenadu, ETV, Ramoji Film City, Margadarsi, Ushakiran Movies, Priya Foods |
| Top honour | Padma Vibhushan (2016) |
Early life and family
Ramoji Rao was born into a farming family in Pedaparupudi, a village in the Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh. He grew up with two sisters and learnt the ways of village agriculture early. That background stayed with him all his life, and many of his later projects, from a farm magazine to a farm TV show, came from it.
After his studies he married Rama Devi in 1961. The couple had two sons. The elder, Ch. Kiran, later took charge of Eenadu and the group's media businesses. The younger son, Ch. Suman, worked in the television and film side of the group and died in 2012. People who met Ramoji Rao often remember his plain white clothes and strict daily routine.
Businesses he built
Margadarsi Chit Fund (1962)
His first major company was Margadarsi Chit Funds, started in 1962. It grew into one of the largest chit fund firms in the Telugu states, with lakhs of members. In the 2000s the company faced legal action over how it collected deposits, and the case went through the courts for many years. Margadarsi said it had repaid its depositors, and the group continued to run the chit fund business.
Eenadu newspaper (1974)
Eenadu was launched from Visakhapatnam in 1974. It changed Telugu journalism by printing separate district editions with local news next to state and national news. It went on to become the most widely read Telugu daily.
Magazines
He published Annadata, a magazine for farmers with news on crops, methods and technology, which he often called one of the works closest to his heart. He also ran Sitara, a weekly Telugu film magazine that many readers in the 1980s and 1990s waited for, along with other titles such as Vipula and Chatura.
Priya Foods (1980)
Priya Foods sells pickles, spice powders, edible oils and other packaged foods in India and abroad. It was set up around 1980.
Ushakiran Movies and Mayuri Film Distributors
Through Ushakiran Movies he produced Telugu films, many of them on social themes and women's issues. Well known titles include Mayuri, Pratighatana, Ashwini and Nuvve Kavali. Mayuri Film Distributors handled the release of films in cinemas.
ETV network (1995)
ETV started in 1995 as a Telugu channel and later grew into a network of channels in many Indian languages, including Hindi, Bangla, Marathi, Kannada, Odia, Gujarati and Urdu. Several of these regional channels were later sold, and the group kept the Telugu channels. ETV ran Annadata, a morning show for farmers, and entertainment shows such as Jabardasth, Dhee and the cookery show Abhiruchi. The group later launched the ETV Win streaming app.
Ramoji Film City (1996)
His best known project is Ramoji Film City near Hyderabad. He bought about 2,000 acres of rocky land on the Vijayawada highway and opened the studio in 1996. The idea was simple: a producer should be able to walk in with a script and leave with a finished film. Guinness World Records recognised it as the world's largest film studio complex. It is also one of Hyderabad's biggest tourist attractions. You can read more in our history of Ramoji Film City.
Hotels, retail and education
The group also runs Dolphin Hotels, the hotels inside Ramoji Film City and the Kalanjali stores for sarees and handicrafts. Ramoji Rao founded the Ramadevi Public School, named after his wife, near the film city.
Awards and honours
- Padma Vibhushan (2016): India's second highest civilian award, for his work in journalism, literature and education.
- National Film Award: Best Feature Film in Telugu for Nuvve Kavali (2000).
- Filmfare Awards South: four awards for his films.
- Nandi Awards: several state awards for his productions.
Death and legacy
Ramoji Rao was admitted to hospital in early June 2024 with breathing problems and died on 8 June 2024. He was cremated with state honours at Ramoji Film City the next day. A memorial for him is planned inside the film city.
His group employs thousands of people, and his newspaper, TV channels and studio shaped Telugu media and cinema for five decades. His work on farm journalism, local news and film infrastructure remains his biggest legacy.
Visit Ramoji Film City
The best way to see his largest creation is a day at the film city. The GoldBox Holidays Ramoji Film City tour includes the entry ticket and a bus from many boarding points in Hyderabad. To compare ticket types, see how to book Ramoji Film City tickets. For a longer Hyderabad holiday, look at our Hyderabad tour packages.
Frequently asked questions
Who was Ramoji Rao?
Cherukuri Ramoji Rao was a media businessman and film producer from Andhra Pradesh. He founded Eenadu, the ETV network, Ushakiran Movies, Priya Foods, Margadarsi and Ramoji Film City.
When did Ramoji Rao die?
He died in Hyderabad on 8 June 2024, aged 87, and was cremated with state honours at Ramoji Film City.
Who runs the Ramoji Group now?
His elder son Ch. Kiran leads Eenadu and the group's media business, and other family members manage the film city and other companies.
What awards did Ramoji Rao win?
He received the Padma Vibhushan in 2016, a National Film Award for Nuvve Kavali, four Filmfare Awards South and several Nandi Awards.
