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{{Given name hatnote|Ramanaidu|Daggubati|his|lang=Telugu}}
{{Short description|Indian film producer (1936–2015)}}
{{family name hatnote|Daggubati|lang=Telugu}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2021}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}}
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| birth_name          = Daggubati Ramanaidu
| birth_name          = Daggubati Ramanaidu
| birth_date          = {{Birth date|1936|06|06|df=y}}
| birth_date          = {{Birth date|1936|06|06|df=y}}
| birth_place        = [[Karamchedu]], [[Madras Presidency]], [[British Raj|British India]]<br/>(now in [[Andhra Pradesh]], India)
| birth_place        = [[Karamchedu]], [[Madras Presidency]], [[British Raj|British India]]<br />(now in [[Andhra Pradesh]], India)
| death_date          = {{Death date and age|2015|02|18|1936|06|06|df=y}}
| death_date          = {{Death date and age|2015|02|18|1936|06|06|df=y}}
| death_place        = [[Hyderabad]], India
| death_place        = [[Hyderabad]], [[Telangana]], India
| nationality        = Indian
| nationality        = Indian
| occupation         = Film producer
| occupation       = [[Film producer]]
| spouse              = Rajeshwari
| children            = 3 including [[D. Suresh Babu]], [[Venkatesh (actor)|Venkatesh]]
| children            = 3 including [[D. Suresh Babu]], [[Venkatesh (actor)|Venkatesh]]
| awards              = {{plainlist|
| awards              = {{plainlist|
* [[Padma Bhushan]] (2012)
* [[Padma Bhushan]] (2012)
* [[Dadasaheb Phalke Award]] (2009)}}
* [[Dadasaheb Phalke Award]] (2009)}}
| relations           = See [[Daggubati–Akkineni family]]
| relatives           = See [[Daggubati–Akkineni family]]
| office              = [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha]]
| office              = [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha]]
| constituency        = [[Bapatla (Lok Sabha constituency)|Bapatla]]
| constituency        = [[Bapatla (Lok Sabha constituency)|Bapatla]]
| termstart          = 1999
| termstart          = 6 October 1999
| termend            = 2004
| termend            = 16 May 2004
| predecessor        = [[N. Janardhana Reddy]]
| predecessor        = [[N. Janardhana Reddy]]
| successor          = [[Daggubati Purandeswari]]
| successor          = [[Daggubati Purandeswari]]
| primeminister      = [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]]
| party              = [[Telugu Desam Party]]
| party              = [[Telugu Desam Party]]
}}
}}
'''Daggubati Ramanaidu''' (6 June 1936 – 18 February 2015) was an Indian film producer and the founder of [[Suresh Productions]] known for his work in [[Telugu cinema]]. He was placed in the ''[[Guinness World Records|Guinness Book of World Records]]'' for the most films produced by an individual, with more than 150 films in 13 [[Languages of India|Indian languages]]. He also served as a member of parliament for the [[Bapatla (Lok Sabha constituency)|Bapatla constituency]] of [[Guntur district]] in the [[13th Lok Sabha]] from 1999 to 2004.
'''Daggubati Ramanaidu''' (6 June 1936 – 18 February 2015) was an Indian film producer known for his work in [[Telugu cinema]]. He founded [[Suresh Productions]] in 1964 which became of one of the largest film production companies in India.<ref>{{cite web |date=3 December 2010 |title=Cinema exhibitors say future looks bleak with multiplex entry |url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/todays-paper/tp-corporate/article1027579.ece |access-date=27 July 2012 |publisher=[[Business Line]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=29 September 2004 |title=Telugu film industry to set up monitoring cells to curb piracy |url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.in/2004/09/29/stories/2004092902631700.htm |access-date=27 July 2012 |publisher=[[Business Line]]}}</ref> He was one of the most influential movie moguls in [[Cinema of India|Indian cinema]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Rama Naidu: Movie mogul who modernised film-making in the south |newspaper=The Hindu |date=18 February 2015 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movie-mogul-who-modernised-filmmaking-in-the-south/article6909753.ece}}</ref> He was placed in the ''[[Guinness World Records|Guinness Book of World Records]]'' for the most films produced by an individual, with more than 150 films in all official [[Languages of India|Indian languages]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chakravarthy |first=Venkatesh |date=2015-03-04 |title=Dream merchant |url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/other/obituary/dream-merchant/article6951600.ece |access-date=2022-08-08 |website=[[Frontline (magazine)|Frontline]] |language=en}}</ref> He also served as a [[Member of Parliament (India)|Member of Parliament]] for the [[Bapatla (Lok Sabha constituency)|Bapatla constituency]] in [[Andhra Pradesh]] in the [[13th Lok Sabha]] from 1999 to 2004.


In 2012, Ramanaidu was conferred with the third-highest civilian award of India, the [[Padma Bhushan]], in recognition for his contribution to Indian cinema.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/regional/veteran-southern-producer-d-rama-naidu-gets-padma-bhushan_126902.html|title=Veteran southern producer D. Rama Naidu gets Padma Bhushan|work=Zee News}}</ref> In 2009, he was conferred with the [[Dada Saheb Phalke Award]], the highest award for films in Indian cinema. He has also received the [[Raghupathi Venkaiah Award]], and the [[Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South]] for his work in [[Telugu cinema]]. Ramanaidu contributed a substantial part of his earnings to numerous philanthropic purposes under the "Ramanaidu Charitable Trust" that was founded in 1991.<ref>{{cite news|title=Of course, I am happy with the award. And I am equally happy that I am still doing films|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Padma-Bhushan-for-Rama-Naidu/articleshow/18189778.cms|access-date= 26 January 2013|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=26 January 2013}}</ref>
In 2012, Ramanaidu was conferred with the third-highest civilian award of India, the [[Padma Bhushan]], in recognition for his contribution to Indian cinema.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/regional/veteran-southern-producer-d-rama-naidu-gets-padma-bhushan_126902.html|title=Veteran southern producer D. Rama Naidu gets Padma Bhushan|work=Zee News|date=26 January 2013}}</ref> In 2009, he was conferred with the [[Dada Saheb Phalke Award]], the highest award for films in Indian cinema. He has also received the [[Raghupathi Venkaiah Award]], and the [[Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South]] for his work in [[Telugu cinema]]. Ramanaidu contributed a substantial part of his earnings to numerous philanthropic purposes under the "Ramanaidu Charitable Trust" that was founded in 1991.<ref>{{cite news|title=Of course, I am happy with the award. And I am equally happy that I am still doing films|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Padma-Bhushan-for-Rama-Naidu/articleshow/18189778.cms|access-date= 26 January 2013|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=26 January 2013}}</ref>


==Early life==
==Early life==
Daggubati Ramanaidu was born on 6 June 1936<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.takkari.net/2015/02/tollywood-producer-daggubati-rama-naidu.html?m=1 |title=Veteran Producer No More |access-date=February 18, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150218143816/http://www.takkari.net/2015/02/tollywood-producer-daggubati-rama-naidu.html?m=1 |archive-date=18 February 2015 |df=dmy }}</ref> into an agricultural family in [[Karamchedu]], a village in [[Prakasam district]] in the present day [[Andhra Pradesh]].<ref name=rediff>{{cite web|last1=Rajamani|first1=Radhika|title=D Ramanaidu: From rice grower to number one filmmaker|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/d-ramanaidu-from-rice-grower-to-number-one-filmmaker/20150218.htm|publisher=[[Rediff.com]]|date=18 February 2015|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref> He completed his schooling in the village and had his college education in [[Chirala]] and later graduated out of the [[Presidency College, Chennai]].<ref name=hans>{{cite news|title=Ramanaidu's epic journey|url=http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/2015-02-19/Ramanaidus-epic-journey-132375|access-date=19 February 2015|work=[[The Hans India]]|date=19 February 2015}}</ref> He started his career as a rice-mill owner and later got into the transport business.<ref name=IE1>{{cite news|title=Dadasaheb Phalke Awardee Dr Ramanaidu Passes Away|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/hyderabad/Dadasaheb-Phalke-Awardee-Dr-Ramanaidu-Passes-Away/2015/02/19/article2675728.ece|access-date=19 February 2015|work=[[The New Indian Express]]|date=19 February 2015}}</ref> During this time, his father joined with a relative and co-produced the Telugu film ''[[Nammina Bantu]]'' (1958), starring [[Akkineni Nageswara Rao]] and [[Savitri (actress)|Savitri]]. He performed the dupe of Rao in the film. The latter advised him to get to [[Madras]] (now Chennai) and work with film-makers.<ref name=hans /> He closed down his rice mill as he was not happy with it, and moved to Madras in 1962. He intended to start a brick business, but later switched to real estate. His frequent visits to the "Andhra Club" got him acquainted with the Telugu film fraternities.<ref name=rediff />
Daggubati Ramanaidu was born on 6 June 1936<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.takkari.net/2015/02/tollywood-producer-daggubati-rama-naidu.html?m=1 |title=Veteran Producer No More |access-date=February 18, 2015 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150218143816/http://www.takkari.net/2015/02/tollywood-producer-daggubati-rama-naidu.html?m=1 |archive-date=18 February 2015 |df=dmy }}</ref> in a [[Telugu people|Telugu]] [[Kamma (caste)|Kamma]] family in [[Karamchedu]], a village in [[Prakasam district]] in the present day [[Andhra Pradesh]].<ref name=rediff>{{cite web|last1=Rajamani|first1=Radhika|title=D Ramanaidu: From rice grower to number one filmmaker|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/d-ramanaidu-from-rice-grower-to-number-one-filmmaker/20150218.htm|work=[[Rediff.com]]|date=18 February 2015|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref> He completed his schooling in the village and had his college education in [[Chirala]] and later graduated from [[Presidency College, Chennai]].<ref name=hans>{{cite news|title=Ramanaidu's epic journey|url=http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/2015-02-19/Ramanaidus-epic-journey-132375|access-date=19 February 2015|work=[[The Hans India]]|date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
 
He started his career as a rice-mill owner and later got into the transport business.<ref name="IE1">{{cite news|title=Dadasaheb Phalke Awardee Dr Ramanaidu Passes Away|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/hyderabad/Dadasaheb-Phalke-Awardee-Dr-Ramanaidu-Passes-Away/2015/02/19/article2675728.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150220003714/http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/hyderabad/Dadasaheb-Phalke-Awardee-Dr-Ramanaidu-Passes-Away/2015/02/19/article2675728.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 February 2015|access-date=19 February 2015|work=[[The New Indian Express]]|date=19 February 2015}}</ref> During this time, his father joined with a relative and co-produced the Telugu film ''[[Nammina Bantu]]'' (1958), starring [[Akkineni Nageswara Rao]] and [[Savitri (actress)|Savitri]]. He performed the dupe of Nageswara Rao in the film. Nageswara Rao advised him to go to [[Madras]] (now Chennai) and work with film-makers.<ref name="hans" /> He closed down his rice mill as he was not happy with it, and moved to Madras in 1962. He intended to start a brick business, but later switched to real estate. His frequent visits to the "Andhra Club" got him acquainted with the Telugu film fraternities.<ref name="rediff" />


==Film career==
==Film career==
In 1963, Ramanaidu partnered with his friends Tagirisa Hanumantha Rao and Yarlagadda Lakshmaiah Chowdary and co-produced the commercially unsuccessful ''Anuragam'' (1963). Following that, he established his own production house [[Suresh Productions]], and produced ''[[Ramudu Bheemudu]]'' (1964).<ref name=rediff /> Until the early 1970s, he kept to Telugu cinema and made films such as ''Pratigna Palana'' (1965), ''Sri Krishna Tulabharam'' (1966), ''Shree Janma'' (1967), ''Paapa Kosam'' (1968) and ''Sepoy Chinnaiah'' (1969). ''Ramudu Bheemudu'' remained his only box office success during this period.<ref name=hans /> While in Madras, he partnered with [[B. Nagi Reddy]]'s sons and formed a company called "Vijaya Suresh Combines" and made some films under that house.<ref name=rediff /> In 1971, he produced ''[[Prem Nagar (1971 film)|Prem Nagar]]'', starring ''[[Akkineni Nageswara Rao]]'' and [[Vanisri]]. The film went on to become a "blockbuster" and its success prompted Tamil and Hindi remakes entitled ''[[Vasantha Maligai]]'' (1972) and ''[[Prem Nagar (1974 film)|Prem Nagar]]'' (1974), respectively. Both versions were produced by him and became equally successful.<ref name=hans /> ''Namma Kuzhaindagal'', ''Tirumangalyam'', ''Madhurageetham'', ''Kuzhaindaikaga'' and ''Deiva Piravi'' are some of his Tamil productions that were made during the 1970s.<ref name=rediff />
In 1963, Ramanaidu partnered with his friends Tagirisa Hanumantha Rao, Yarlagadda Lakshmaiah Chowdary and co-produced the commercially unsuccessful ''Anuragam'' (1963). Following that, he established his own production house [[Suresh Productions]], and produced ''[[Ramudu Bheemudu]]'' (1964).<ref name=rediff /> Until the early 1970s, he kept to Telugu cinema and made films such as ''Pratigna Palana'' (1965), ''Sri Krishna Tulabharam'' (1966), ''Shree Janma'' (1967), ''Paapa Kosam'' (1968) and ''Sepoy Chinnaiah'' (1969). ''Ramudu Bheemudu'' remained his only box office success during this period.<ref name=hans /> While in Madras, he partnered with [[B. Nagi Reddy]]'s sons and formed a company called "Vijaya Suresh Combines" and made some films under that house.<ref name=rediff />
 
In 1971, he produced ''[[Prem Nagar (1971 film)|Prem Nagar]]'', starring [[Akkineni Nageswara Rao]] and [[Vanisri]]. The film went on to become a "blockbuster" and its success prompted Tamil and Hindi remakes entitled ''[[Vasantha Maligai]]'' (1972) and ''[[Prem Nagar (1974 film)|Prem Nagar]]'' (1974), respectively. Both versions were produced by him and became equally successful.<ref name="hans" /> ''Namma Kuzhaindagal'', ''Tirumangalyam'', ''Madhurageetham'', ''[[Kuzhanthaikkaga]]'' and ''[[Deivapiravi (1985 film)|Deivapiravi]]'' are some of his Tamil productions that were made during the 1970s and 80s.<ref name="rediff" />
 
As all the studios were based in Madras at that date, he started "Ramanaidu Studios" in [[Hyderabad]] with the help of the [[Government of Andhra Pradesh|state government]] in 1983.<ref name="DFF">{{cite web|title=46th National Film Festival|url=http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm46NFAAward.aspx|publisher=[[Directorate of Film Festivals]]|access-date=19 February 2015|pages=62–63|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203091624/http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm46NFAAward.aspx|archive-date=3 December 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="hindu1">{{cite news|last1=Reddy|first1=R. Ravikanth|title=Legendary filmmaker Ramanaidu is no more|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/cine-producer-ramanaidu-no-more/article6909040.ece|access-date=19 February 2015|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=18 February 2015}}</ref> While frequently making films in Telugu and Tamil, he branched out into the [[Kannada cinema|Kannada]], [[Hindi cinema|Hindi]], [[Malayalam cinema|Malayalam]], [[Cinema of Maharashtra|Marathi]], [[Cinema of West Bengal|Bengali]], [[Oriya cinema|Oriya film]], [[Gujarati cinema|Gujarati]], [[Bhojpuri cinema|Bhojpuri]], [[Assamese cinema|Assamese]] and [[Punjabi cinema|Punjabi]] industries.<ref>{{cite news|title='D Ramanaidu: From rice grower to number one filmmaker'|url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/d-ramanaidu-from-rice-grower-to-number-one-filmmaker/20150218.htm}}</ref> His Hindi films include ''[[Dildaar]]'', ''[[Tohfa]]'', ''[[Anari (1993 film)|Anari]]'', ''[[Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain]]'' and ''[[Aaghaaz]]''.<ref name="rediff" />


As all the studios were based in Madras at that date, he started "Ramanaidu Studios" in [[Hyderabad]] with the help of the [[Government of Andhra Pradesh|state government]] in 1983.<ref name=DFF>{{cite web|title=46th National Film Festival|url=http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm46NFAAward.aspx|publisher=[[Directorate of Film Festivals]]|access-date=19 February 2015|pages=62–63|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203091624/http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm46NFAAward.aspx|archive-date=3 December 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=hindu1>{{cite news|last1=Reddy|first1=R. Ravikanth|title=Legendary filmmaker Ramanaidu is no more|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/cine-producer-ramanaidu-no-more/article6909040.ece|access-date=19 February 2015|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=18 February 2015}}</ref> While frequently making films in Telugu and Tamil, he branched out into the [[Kannada cinema|Kannada]], [[Hindi cinema|Hindi]], [[Malayalam cinema|Malayalam]], [[Cinema of Maharashtra|Marathi]], [[Cinema of West Bengal|Bengali]], [[Oriya cinema|Oriya film]], [[Gujarati cinema|Gujarati]], [[Bhojpuri cinema|Bhojpuri]], [[Assamese cinema|Assamese]] and [[Punjabi cinema|Punjabi]] industries.<ref>{{cite news|title='D Ramanaidu: From rice grower to number one filmmaker'|url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/d-ramanaidu-from-rice-grower-to-number-one-filmmaker/20150218.htm}}</ref> His Hindi films include ''[[Dildaar]]'', ''[[Tohfa]]'', ''[[Anari (1993 film)|Anari]]'', ''[[Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain]]'' and ''[[Aaghaaz]]''.<ref name=rediff /> As of 2015, he had made more than 130 films in 13 [[Languages of India|Indian languages]]. The feat earned him a place in the ''[[Guinness Book of World Records]]'' in 2008.<ref name=HT>{{cite news|last1=Burman|first1=Jivraj|title=D Rama Naidu enters Guinness book|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/regional/d-rama-naidu-enters-guinness-book/article1-267196.aspx|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150219195311/http://www.hindustantimes.com/regional/d-rama-naidu-enters-guinness-book/article1-267196.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 February 2015|access-date=19 February 2015|work=[[The Hindustan Times]]|date=4 January 2008}}</ref> Ramanaidu also acted in a few films, mostly his own productions. He played a full-length role for the first time in the 2007 Telugu film ''[[Hope (2006 film)|Hope]]''. The film, which dealt with teenage suicides arising out of educational stress among students, won the [[National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues|award for Best Film on Other Social Issues]] at the [[54th National Film Awards]].<ref>{{cite news|title='We would have won more national awards'|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/we-would-have-won-more-national-awards/article1277749.ece|access-date=19 February 2015|work=The Hindu|date=15 June 2008}}</ref>
As of 2015, he had made more than 130 films in 13 [[Languages of India|Indian languages]]. The feat earned him a place in the ''[[Guinness Book of World Records]]'' in 2008.<ref name="HT">{{cite news|last1=Burman|first1=Jivraj|title=D Rama Naidu enters Guinness book|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/regional/d-rama-naidu-enters-guinness-book/article1-267196.aspx|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150219195311/http://www.hindustantimes.com/regional/d-rama-naidu-enters-guinness-book/article1-267196.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 February 2015|access-date=19 February 2015|work=[[The Hindustan Times]]|date=4 January 2008}}</ref> Ramanaidu also acted in a few films, mostly his own productions. He played a full-length role for the first time in the 2007 Telugu film ''[[Hope (2006 film)|Hope]]''. The film, which dealt with teenage suicides arising out of educational stress among students, won the [[National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues|award for Best Film on Other Social Issues]] at the [[54th National Film Awards]].<ref>{{cite news|title='We would have won more national awards'|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/we-would-have-won-more-national-awards/article1277749.ece|access-date=19 February 2015|work=The Hindu|date=15 June 2008}}</ref>


==Family and personal life==
==Family and personal life==
{{Main|Daggubati–Akkineni family}}
{{Main|Akkineni–Daggubati family}}
Ramanaidu got married in 1958 and had three children, two sons and a daughter. His elder son [[D. Suresh Babu]] is a producer and his younger son [[Venkatesh (actor)|Venkatesh]] is an actor in Telugu cinema.<ref name=DFF /> He had eight grandchildren, two of whom – [[Rana Daggubati|Rana]] and [[Naga Chaitanya]] – are actors in Telugu cinema.<ref name=rediff />
Ramanaidu got married in 1958 and had three children, two sons and a daughter. His elder son [[D. Suresh Babu]] is a producer and his younger son [[Venkatesh (actor)|Venkatesh]] is an actor in Telugu cinema.<ref name=DFF /> He had eight grandchildren, two of whom – [[Rana Daggubati|Rana]] and [[Naga Chaitanya]] – are actors in Telugu cinema.<ref name=rediff />


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*[[National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Bengali]] – ''[[Asukh]]'' (1999)<ref name=DFF />
*[[National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Bengali]] – ''[[Asukh]]'' (1999)<ref name=DFF />
*[[National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues]] - ''[[Hope (2006 film)|Hope]]'' (2006)
*[[National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues]] - ''[[Hope (2006 film)|Hope]]'' (2006)
*[[Dadasaheb Phalke Award]] - 2009 <ref name=hindu1/>
*[[Dadasaheb Phalke Award]] - 2009<ref name=hindu1/>


'''[[Nandi Awards]]'''
'''[[Nandi Awards]]'''
* [[Nandi Award for Best Feature Film]] - ''Andhra Vaibhavam''
* [[Nandi Award for Best Feature Film]] - ''Andhra Vaibhavam''{{Citation needed|date=August 2022}}
* [[Nandi Award for Best Feature Film]] - ''[[Preminchu]]'' (2001)<ref name=TOI />
* [[Nandi Award for Best Feature Film]] - ''[[Preminchu]]'' (2001)<ref name=TOI>{{cite news|last1=Rao|first1=Sushil|title=Ramanaidu was a filmmaker like no other| url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/Ramanaidu-was-a-filmmaker-like-no-other/articleshow/46292840.cms?|access-date=20 February 2015|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
* [[Raghupathi Venkaiah Award]] - 2006<ref>{{cite news|title=NTR award for Waheeda Rehman|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/article1230659.ece|access-date=19 February 2015|work=The Hindu|date=1 April 2008}}</ref>
* [[Raghupathi Venkaiah Award]] - 2006<ref>{{cite news|title=NTR award for Waheeda Rehman|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/article1230659.ece|access-date=19 February 2015|work=The Hindu|date=1 April 2008}}</ref>


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'''[[Filmfare Awards South]]'''
'''[[Filmfare Awards South]]'''
*[[Filmfare Award for Best Telugu Film]] – ''[[Jeevana Tarangalu]]'' (1973)<ref name=TOI>{{cite news|last1=Rao|first1=Sushil|title=Ramanaidu was a filmmaker like no other| url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/Ramanaidu-was-a-filmmaker-like-no-other/articleshow/46292840.cms?|access-date=20 February 2015|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
*[[Filmfare Award for Best Telugu Film]] – ''[[Jeevana Tarangalu]]'' (1973)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/21st-annual-filmfare-awards-south-winners | title=21st Annual Filmfare Awards South Winners | date=6 August 2024 }}</ref>
*Filmfare Award for Best Telugu Film – ''[[Soggadu (1976 film)|Soggadu]]'' (1976)<ref name=TOI />
*Filmfare Award for Best Telugu Film – ''[[Soggadu (1976 film)|Soggadu]]'' (1976)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/sobhan-received-best-actor-award-for-soggadu | title=Sobhan Received Best Actor Award for Soggadu | date=3 January 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/1976-filmfare-telugu-winners | title=1976 Filmfare Telugu Winners | date=15 November 2022 }}</ref>
*[[Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South]] (2000)<ref>{{cite web|title=Lifetime Achievement Award (South) winners down the years...|url=http://www.filmfare.com/features/lifetime-achievement-award-south-winners-down-the-years-6684.html|website=[[Filmfare]]|date=10 July 2014|access-date=20 February 2015}}</ref>
*[[Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South]] (2000)<ref>{{cite web|title=Lifetime Achievement Award (South) winners down the years...|url=http://www.filmfare.com/features/lifetime-achievement-award-south-winners-down-the-years-6684.html|website=[[Filmfare]]|date=10 July 2014|access-date=20 February 2015}}</ref>


'''Other Honors'''
'''Other Honors'''
* [[Honorary doctorate]] from [[Sri Venkateswara University]], [[Tirupati (city)|Tirupati]]<ref>{{cite web|title=D. Ramanaidu: Multilingual film producer dies in Hyderabad| url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/education/story/multilingual-film-producer-d.-ramanaidu-dies-in-hyderabad/1/419622.html|website=[[India Today]]|access-date=19 February 2015|date=18 February 2015}}</ref>
* [[Honorary doctorate]] from [[Sri Venkateswara University]], [[Tirupati (city)|Tirupati]]<ref>{{cite web|title=D. Ramanaidu: Multilingual film producer dies in Hyderabad|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/gk-and-current-affairs/story/multilingual-film-producer-d-ramanaidu-dies-in-hyderabad-240883-2015-02-18|website=[[India Today]]|access-date=19 February 2015|date=18 February 2015|archive-date=1 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001212959/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/education/story/multilingual-film-producer-d.-ramanaidu-dies-in-hyderabad/1/419622.html|url-status=live}}</ref>


==Death==
==Death==
In January 2014, it was reported that Ramanaidu had been diagnosed with [[prostate cancer]]. He died on 18 February 2015, at the age of 78, in [[Hyderabad]], [[Telangana]].<ref name=IE>{{cite news|title=D Ramanaidu, Dadasaheb Phalke award winner, passes away|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/veteran-film-producer-d-ramanaidu-passes-away/|access-date=18 February 2015|work=[[The Indian Express]]|date=18 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=H Hooli|first1=Shekhar|title=Telugu Producer D Rama Naidu Passes Away: Movie Mogul's Death Shocks Tollywood Celebs|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/telugu-producer-d-rama-naidu-passes-away-movie-moguls-death-shocks-celebs-fans-623854|website=[[International Business Times]]|access-date=18 February 2015|date=18 February 2015}}</ref> Many [[Telugu cinema|Tollywood]] stars like [[Nandamuri Balakrishna]], [[Nagarjuna (actor)|Nagarjuna]], [[Ravi Teja]], [[K. Raghavendra Rao]], [[Pawan Kalyan]], [[Ram Charan]] [[Allu Arjun]] And [[N. T. Rama Rao Jr.]] paid their last respects to Rama Naidu.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bollywoodlife.com/news-gossip/daggubati-venkatesh-nagarjuna-chiranjeevi-ravi-teja-pay-their-last-respect-to-late-movie-mogul-d-ramanaidu-475551/|title=Daggubati Venkatesh, Nagarjuna, Chiranjeevi, Ravi Teja pay their last respect to late movie mogul D Ramanaidu|date=19 February 2015|website=Bollywood Life}}</ref>
In January 2014, it was reported that Ramanaidu had been diagnosed with [[prostate cancer]]. He died on 18 February 2015, at the age of 78, in [[Hyderabad]], [[Telangana]].<ref name=IE>{{cite news|title=D Ramanaidu, Dadasaheb Phalke award winner, passes away|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/veteran-film-producer-d-ramanaidu-passes-away/|access-date=18 February 2015|work=[[The Indian Express]]|date=18 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=H Hooli|first1=Shekhar|title=Telugu Producer D Rama Naidu Passes Away: Movie Mogul's Death Shocks Tollywood Celebs|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/telugu-producer-d-rama-naidu-passes-away-movie-moguls-death-shocks-celebs-fans-623854|website=[[International Business Times]]|access-date=18 February 2015|date=18 February 2015}}</ref> All of the big [[Telugu cinema|Telugu]] contemporaries like [[Chiranjeevi]], [[Nandamuri Balakrishna|Balakrishna]], [[Nagarjuna (actor)|Nagarjuna]], [[Rajasekhar (actor)|Rajasekhar]], [[Ravi Teja]], [[K. Raghavendra Rao]], [[Mahesh Babu]], [[Pawan Kalyan]], [[Ram Charan]], [[Allu Arjun]], and [[N. T. Rama Rao Jr.|NTR Jr.]] paid their last respects to him.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bollywoodlife.com/news-gossip/daggubati-venkatesh-nagarjuna-chiranjeevi-ravi-teja-pay-their-last-respect-to-late-movie-mogul-d-ramanaidu-475551/|title=Daggubati Venkatesh, Nagarjuna, Chiranjeevi, Ravi Teja pay their last respect to late movie mogul D Ramanaidu|date=19 February 2015|website=Bollywood Life}}</ref>


==Partial filmography==
==Partial filmography==
Line 81: Line 88:
{{div col|colwidth=18em}}
{{div col|colwidth=18em}}
* ''[[Ramudu Bheemudu]]''
* ''[[Ramudu Bheemudu]]''
* ''[[Prem Nagar (1971 film)|Prem Nagar]]''
* ''[[Pratiganapalana]]''
* ''[[Prema Nagar]]''
* ''[[Jeevana Tarangalu]]''
* ''[[Jeevana Tarangalu]]''
* ''[[Chakravakam (1974 Telugu film)|Chakravakam]]''
* ''[[Chakravakam (1974 Telugu film)|Chakravakam]]''
Line 103: Line 111:
* ''Oho Naa Pellanta''
* ''Oho Naa Pellanta''
* ''[[Preminchukundam Raa]]''
* ''[[Preminchukundam Raa]]''
* ''[[Ganesh (film)|Ganesh]]''
* ''[[Ganesh (1998 film)|Ganesh]]''
* ''[[Preyasi Rave]]''
* ''[[Preyasi Rave]]''
* ''[[Kalisundam Raa]]''
* ''[[Kalisundam Raa]]''
Line 115: Line 123:
* ''[[Malliswari (2004 film)|Malliswari]]''
* ''[[Malliswari (2004 film)|Malliswari]]''
* ''[[Soggadu (2005 film)|Soggadu]]''
* ''[[Soggadu (2005 film)|Soggadu]]''
* ''[[Nireekshana (2005 film)|Nireekshana]]''
* ''[[Sri Krishna 2006]]''
* ''[[Sri Krishna 2006]]''
* ''[[Madhumasam]]''
* ''[[Madhumasam]]''
* ''[[Tulasi (film)|Tulasi]]''
* ''[[Tulasi (2007 film)|Tulasi]]''
* ''[[Kousalya Supraja Rama (2008 film)|Kousalya Supraja Rama]]''  
* ''[[Baladoor]]''
* ''[[Baladoor]]''
* ''[[Bendu Apparao R.M.P]]''
* ''[[Bendu Apparao R.M.P]]''
Line 128: Line 138:
* ''[[Gopala Gopala (2015 film)|Gopala Gopala]]''
* ''[[Gopala Gopala (2015 film)|Gopala Gopala]]''
{{div col end}}
{{div col end}}
===Hindi===
* ''[[Dil Aur Deewar]]'' (1978)
* ''[[Prem Nagar (1974 film)|Prem Nagar]]'' (1974)
* ''[[Tohfa]]'' (1984)
* ''[[Dilwaala]]'' (1986)
* ''[[Anari (1993 film)|Anari]]'' (1993)
* ''[[Santaan]]'' (1993)
* ''[[Taqdeerwala]]'' (1995)
* ''[[Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain]]'' (1999)
* ''[[Aaghaaz]]'' (2000)
* ''[[Kuch Tum Kaho Kuch Hum Kahein]]'' (2002)


===Tamil===
===Tamil===
*''[[Kuzhanthaikkaga]]'' (1968)
{{div col|colwidth=18em}}
*''[[Namma Kuzhandaigal]]'' (1970)
* ''[[Vasantha Maligai]]''
* ''[[Vasantha Maligai]]'' (1972)
* ''[[Thanikattu Raja]]''
*''Madhurageetham'' (1977)
* ''[[Kuzhanthaikkaga]]'' (1968)
* ''[[Thanikattu Raja]]'' (1982)
* ''[[Deivapiravi (1985 film)|Deivapiravi]]'' (1985)
*''[[Deivapiravi (1985 film)|Deivapiravi]]'' (1985)
{{div col end}}
* ''[[Michael Raj]]'' (1987)
* ''[[Kai Naattu]]'' (1988)


===Malayalam===
===Hindi===
*''[[Ashwaroodan]]'' (2006)
*''[[Dildaar]]''
 
*''[[Tohfa]]''
===Kannada===
*[[Anari (1993 film)|''Anari'']]
* ''Jeevana Taranga'' (1968)
*''[[Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain]]''
* ''[[Thavarumane Udugore]]'' (1991)
* ''[[Mangalya (film)|Mangalya]]'' (1991)
* ''[[Maduve Aagona Baa]]'' (2001)
 
===Bengali===
* ''[[Asukh]]'' (1999)
 
===Punjabi===
* ''[[Singh vs Kaur]]'' (2013)
 
===Marathi===
* ''Mazi Aai''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/d-ramanaidu-from-rice-grower-to-number-one-filmmaker/20150218.htm|title=D Ramanaidu: From rice grower to number one filmmaker|website=Rediff}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
Line 185: Line 169:
[[Category:1936 births]]
[[Category:1936 births]]
[[Category:2015 deaths]]
[[Category:2015 deaths]]
[[Category:Akkineni–Daggubati family|D. Ramanaidu]]
[[Category:Dadasaheb Phalke Award recipients]]
[[Category:Dadasaheb Phalke Award recipients]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Bhushan in arts]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Bhushan in arts]]
[[Category:Film producers from Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Film producers from Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:13th Lok Sabha members]]
[[Category:India MPs 1999–2004]]
[[Category:Telugu politicians]]
[[Category:Telugu politicians]]
[[Category:Telugu Desam Party politicians]]
[[Category:Telugu Desam Party politicians]]
Line 201: Line 186:
[[Category:20th-century Indian businesspeople]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian businesspeople]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian businesspeople]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian businesspeople]]
[[Category:Deaths from prostate cancer]]
[[Category:Deaths from prostate cancer in India]]

Latest revision as of 07:59, 3 March 2026


D. Ramanaidu
Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
In office
6 October 1999 – 16 May 2004
Preceded byN. Janardhana Reddy
Succeeded byDaggubati Purandeswari
ConstituencyBapatla
Personal details
Born
Daggubati Ramanaidu

(1936-06-06)6 June 1936
Karamchedu, Madras Presidency, British India
(now in Andhra Pradesh, India)
Died18 February 2015(2015-02-18) (aged 78)
Hyderabad, Telangana, India
NationalityIndian
Political partyTelugu Desam Party
Spouse(s)Rajeshwari
Children3 including D. Suresh Babu, Venkatesh
RelativesSee Daggubati–Akkineni family
OccupationFilm producer
Awards

Daggubati Ramanaidu (6 June 1936 – 18 February 2015) was an Indian film producer known for his work in Telugu cinema. He founded Suresh Productions in 1964 which became of one of the largest film production companies in India.[1][2] He was one of the most influential movie moguls in Indian cinema.[3] He was placed in the Guinness Book of World Records for the most films produced by an individual, with more than 150 films in all official Indian languages.[4] He also served as a Member of Parliament for the Bapatla constituency in Andhra Pradesh in the 13th Lok Sabha from 1999 to 2004.

In 2012, Ramanaidu was conferred with the third-highest civilian award of India, the Padma Bhushan, in recognition for his contribution to Indian cinema.[5] In 2009, he was conferred with the Dada Saheb Phalke Award, the highest award for films in Indian cinema. He has also received the Raghupathi Venkaiah Award, and the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South for his work in Telugu cinema. Ramanaidu contributed a substantial part of his earnings to numerous philanthropic purposes under the "Ramanaidu Charitable Trust" that was founded in 1991.[6]

Early life[edit | edit source]

Daggubati Ramanaidu was born on 6 June 1936[7] in a Telugu Kamma family in Karamchedu, a village in Prakasam district in the present day Andhra Pradesh.[8] He completed his schooling in the village and had his college education in Chirala and later graduated from Presidency College, Chennai.[9]

He started his career as a rice-mill owner and later got into the transport business.[10] During this time, his father joined with a relative and co-produced the Telugu film Nammina Bantu (1958), starring Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Savitri. He performed the dupe of Nageswara Rao in the film. Nageswara Rao advised him to go to Madras (now Chennai) and work with film-makers.[9] He closed down his rice mill as he was not happy with it, and moved to Madras in 1962. He intended to start a brick business, but later switched to real estate. His frequent visits to the "Andhra Club" got him acquainted with the Telugu film fraternities.[8]

Film career[edit | edit source]

In 1963, Ramanaidu partnered with his friends Tagirisa Hanumantha Rao, Yarlagadda Lakshmaiah Chowdary and co-produced the commercially unsuccessful Anuragam (1963). Following that, he established his own production house Suresh Productions, and produced Ramudu Bheemudu (1964).[8] Until the early 1970s, he kept to Telugu cinema and made films such as Pratigna Palana (1965), Sri Krishna Tulabharam (1966), Shree Janma (1967), Paapa Kosam (1968) and Sepoy Chinnaiah (1969). Ramudu Bheemudu remained his only box office success during this period.[9] While in Madras, he partnered with B. Nagi Reddy's sons and formed a company called "Vijaya Suresh Combines" and made some films under that house.[8]

In 1971, he produced Prem Nagar, starring Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Vanisri. The film went on to become a "blockbuster" and its success prompted Tamil and Hindi remakes entitled Vasantha Maligai (1972) and Prem Nagar (1974), respectively. Both versions were produced by him and became equally successful.[9] Namma Kuzhaindagal, Tirumangalyam, Madhurageetham, Kuzhanthaikkaga and Deivapiravi are some of his Tamil productions that were made during the 1970s and 80s.[8]

As all the studios were based in Madras at that date, he started "Ramanaidu Studios" in Hyderabad with the help of the state government in 1983.[11][12] While frequently making films in Telugu and Tamil, he branched out into the Kannada, Hindi, Malayalam, Marathi, Bengali, Oriya film, Gujarati, Bhojpuri, Assamese and Punjabi industries.[13] His Hindi films include Dildaar, Tohfa, Anari, Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain and Aaghaaz.[8]

As of 2015, he had made more than 130 films in 13 Indian languages. The feat earned him a place in the Guinness Book of World Records in 2008.[14] Ramanaidu also acted in a few films, mostly his own productions. He played a full-length role for the first time in the 2007 Telugu film Hope. The film, which dealt with teenage suicides arising out of educational stress among students, won the award for Best Film on Other Social Issues at the 54th National Film Awards.[15]

Family and personal life[edit | edit source]

Ramanaidu got married in 1958 and had three children, two sons and a daughter. His elder son D. Suresh Babu is a producer and his younger son Venkatesh is an actor in Telugu cinema.[11] He had eight grandchildren, two of whom – Rana and Naga Chaitanya – are actors in Telugu cinema.[8]

Ramanaidu was a member of the Telugu Desam Party and represented Baptala constituency of Guntur district in the 13th Lok Sabha from 1999 to 2004. He lost the 2004 election for the same seat in the 14th Lok Sabha.[16][17]

Awards and honors[edit | edit source]

President Pranab Mukherjee presenting the Padma Bhushan Award to Ramanaidu, at an Investiture Ceremony, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on 5 April 2013

Civilian Honors

National Film Awards

Nandi Awards

Tamil Nadu State Film Awards

Filmfare Awards South

Other Honors

Death[edit | edit source]

In January 2014, it was reported that Ramanaidu had been diagnosed with prostate cancer. He died on 18 February 2015, at the age of 78, in Hyderabad, Telangana.[26][27] All of the big Telugu contemporaries like Chiranjeevi, Balakrishna, Nagarjuna, Rajasekhar, Ravi Teja, K. Raghavendra Rao, Mahesh Babu, Pawan Kalyan, Ram Charan, Allu Arjun, and NTR Jr. paid their last respects to him.[28]

Partial filmography[edit | edit source]

Telugu[edit | edit source]

Tamil[edit | edit source]

Hindi[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. "Cinema exhibitors say future looks bleak with multiplex entry". Business Line. 3 December 2010. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
  2. "Telugu film industry to set up monitoring cells to curb piracy". Business Line. 29 September 2004. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
  3. "Rama Naidu: Movie mogul who modernised film-making in the south". The Hindu. 18 February 2015.
  4. Chakravarthy, Venkatesh (4 March 2015). "Dream merchant". Frontline. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  5. "Veteran southern producer D. Rama Naidu gets Padma Bhushan". Zee News. 26 January 2013.
  6. "Of course, I am happy with the award. And I am equally happy that I am still doing films". The Times of India. 26 January 2013. Retrieved 26 January 2013.
  7. "Veteran Producer No More". Archived from the original on 18 February 2015. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 Rajamani, Radhika (18 February 2015). "D Ramanaidu: From rice grower to number one filmmaker". Rediff.com. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 "Ramanaidu's epic journey". The Hans India. 19 February 2015. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  10. "Dadasaheb Phalke Awardee Dr Ramanaidu Passes Away". The New Indian Express. 19 February 2015. Archived from the original on 20 February 2015. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 "46th National Film Festival". Directorate of Film Festivals. pp. 62–63. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  12. 12.0 12.1 Reddy, R. Ravikanth (18 February 2015). "Legendary filmmaker Ramanaidu is no more". The Hindu. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  13. "'D Ramanaidu: From rice grower to number one filmmaker'".
  14. Burman, Jivraj (4 January 2008). "D Rama Naidu enters Guinness book". The Hindustan Times. Retrieved 19 February 2015.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  15. "'We would have won more national awards'". The Hindu. 15 June 2008. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  16. "Keen contest on the cards in Bapatla". The Hindu. 21 March 2009. Archived from the original on 24 March 2009. Retrieved 23 January 2010.
  17. "Ramanaidu denies joining Congress". The Hindu. 13 April 2009. Archived from the original on 17 April 2009. Retrieved 23 January 2010.
  18. Rao, Sushil (19 February 2015). "Ramanaidu was a filmmaker like no other". The Times of India. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  19. "NTR award for Waheeda Rehman". The Hindu. 1 April 2008. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  20. 20.0 20.1 Anandan, Film News (2004). Sadhanaigal Padaitha Thamizh Thiraipada Varalaru (Tamil film history and its achievements) (in தமிழ்). Sivagami Publications. p. 7−19.
  21. "21st Annual Filmfare Awards South Winners". 6 August 2024.
  22. "Sobhan Received Best Actor Award for Soggadu". 3 January 2024.
  23. "1976 Filmfare Telugu Winners". 15 November 2022.
  24. "Lifetime Achievement Award (South) winners down the years..." Filmfare. 10 July 2014. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  25. "D. Ramanaidu: Multilingual film producer dies in Hyderabad". India Today. 18 February 2015. Archived from the original on 1 October 2015. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  26. "D Ramanaidu, Dadasaheb Phalke award winner, passes away". The Indian Express. 18 February 2015. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  27. H Hooli, Shekhar (18 February 2015). "Telugu Producer D Rama Naidu Passes Away: Movie Mogul's Death Shocks Tollywood Celebs". International Business Times. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  28. "Daggubati Venkatesh, Nagarjuna, Chiranjeevi, Ravi Teja pay their last respect to late movie mogul D Ramanaidu". Bollywood Life. 19 February 2015.

External links[edit | edit source]