SS Rajamouli bids tearful goodbye to Ramoji Rao, demands Bharat Ratna

Filmmaker SS Rajamouli on Saturday bid a tearful goodbye to media mogul Ramoji Rao, who passed away at the age of 87. He visited Ramoji Rao's residence at the film city in Hyderabad and became emotional while looking at the mortal remains. He also expressed his deep condolences to the family members and teared up while talking to the media.

An emotional Rajamouli paid a rich tribute by highlighting Ramoji Rao's contributions to Indian media and philanthropy. "One man succeeded in so many fields and established many institutions. He brought innovation and took all his initiatives to their peak. He stood as a role model for many, and he helped many people. The way we can pay tribute to him is by conferring Bharat Ratna," he said.

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The Bharat Ratna is India's highest civilian award. In 2016, Ramoji Rao was honoured with the Padma Vibhushan.

"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 by conferring him with BHARAT RATNA," he reiterated in his social media post.

The who's who of the Indian film industry, including Rajinikanth, Chiranjeevi, Allu Arjun, and many others, have expressed deep condolences over the passing of Ramoji Rao. Many political leaders have also remembered the iconic film producer, who has more than 50 films and telefilms to his credit.

"The passing away of Shri Ramoji Rao Garu is extremely saddening. He was a visionary who revolutionized Indian media. His rich contributions have left an indelible mark on journalism and the world of films. Through his noteworthy efforts, he set new standards for innovation and excellence in the media and entertainment world," tweeted PM-designate Narendra Modi.

"My heartfelt condolences on the passing of Padma Vibhushan, Shri Ramoji Rao Garu, a pioneering figure in the Indian media industry. His contributions to journalism, cinema, and entertainment have left a lasting impact and transformed the media landscape. My thoughts are with his family, friends, and followers during this difficult time," said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

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