The Indian media landscape is in mourning following the passing of Ramoji Rao, chairman of the Eenadu Group, on Saturday morning. Social media has been flooded with condolence messages, while tributes continue to pour in at Ramoji Film City, the media empire he built.
Filmmaker S.S. Rajamouli led the chorus of voices calling for Rao to be posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honor. Highlighting Rao’s five decades of “resilience, innovation, and providing livelihood and hope to millions,” Rajamouli argued that the Bharat Ratna would be a fitting tribute to his legacy.
Icon Star Allu Arjun echoed Rajamouli’s sentiment, tweeting, “You spoke my heart out sir. Thank you for voicing it.” This sentiment resonated with many, who took to social media to express their support for the Bharat Ratna honor. Rao’s contributions to print and electronic media were widely acknowledged, with his philanthropic efforts also attracting praise.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan specifically mentioned Rao’s support during the state’s devastating floods. He credited Rao and the Ramoji Foundation with playing a key role in reconstruction efforts, including building houses for those affected.
The impact of Ramoji Rao’s life transcended regional boundaries. Tributes came not only from fellow media personalities and politicians, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but also from figures within the Bollywood film industry.
Ramoji Rao’s legacy extends far beyond the media empire he built. He is remembered as a visionary leader, a compassionate philanthropist, and a pillar of the Indian media landscape. The outpouring of grief and calls for recognition are a testament to the profound impact he had on countless lives.
