In Photos | Media baron Ramoji Rao passes away at 87

Cherukuri Ramoji Rao, the head of Telugu news and entertainment network ETV and founder of Ramoji Film City, passed away at 87 in Hyderabad on June 8. (Express Archive)

Rao was undergoing treatment for the past few days and breathed his last at 4:50 am, according to ETV Telangana, one of the Ramoji Group channels. He was born on November 16, 1936. (Express Archive)

The Padma Vibhushan awardee is recognised for being the founder of the Ramoji Group which owns the famous integrated production facility Ramoji Film City in Telangana’s capital city. (Express Archive)

Rao launched Eenadu, a leading Telugu language daily newspaper in 1974. He is also credited for backing 50 films and telefilms as a producer. (Express Archive)

Following the news of his death, President Droupadi Murmu expressed condolences and called him a “titan of the media and entertainment sector". (Express Archive)

PM-designate Narendra Modi who is set to take oath for the third time on Sunday acknowledged “visionary” Rao’s contributions to the media field and offered condolences. (@narendramodi/X)

The news of his passing came as a shock to the Telugu film industry. Rao is credited for backing 50 films and telefilms as a producer. Seen here are K Srinivasrao, Ramoji Rao, Tarachand Barjatya and N Chandra. (Express Archive)

Celebrities like Chiranjeevi, Jr NTR, Ram Gopal Varma, Vishnu Manchu, and Manoj Manchu, among others, expressed condolences on social media. Seen here are actor Srikanth and producer Ramoji Rao. (Express Archive)

Ramoji Film City, one of Rao's greatest gifts to the film industry, is spread over 2,000 acres. The film city has been offering service for two and a half decades and provides vivid filmmaking infrastructure. Seen here is a topiary garden set in Ramoji Rao film city. (Express Archive)

More than 2,500 films have been shot in Ramoji film city including pan-Indian hits like Baahubali, and the Oscar-winning film RRR. Seen here is a flower garden in Ramoji Film City. (Express Archive)

The set for the blockbuster film Baahubali spread over 100 acres with palaces, and statues, is preserved and tourists are permitted to experience the fictional city. Seen here is a glimpse of Ramoji Film City. (Express Archive)

Filmmaker SS Rajamouli, in his X post expressing condolence, demanded Bharat Ratna for the media baron. Rajamouli wrote, "ONE man with his 50 years of resilience, hard work and innovation provided employment, livelihood and hope for millions. The only way we can pay tribute to Ramoji Rao garu is conferring him with 'BHARAT RATNA'." Seen here, media baron Ramoji Rao, giving away a shield to director Srinu Vytla. (Express Archive)