Renowned Telugu producer Edida Nageswara Rao passed away at the age of 81 in Hyderabad. Reportedly Rao, who was like a father figure for all was admitted to a private hospital in the city where he was being treated for some old age sickness. He passed away in the evening on October 4, 2015 while he was admitted at the hospital. The news has certainly saddened the Telugu film industry who acknowledged Edida Nageswara Rao as nothing less than an icon. Actor Nagarjuna who lost his father in 2014 was deeply affected by the loss of Nageswara Rao who he considered as a father figure.

Born in Kothapeta in East Godavari on April 24, 1934, Nageswara Rao began his career as a theater artist. He went on to establish his production house Poornodaya Movie Creations and has since then delivered iconic films like ‘Sankarabharanam’, ‘Swayam Krushi’ and ‘Swatimutyam’. His work with director K. Vishwanath has been remarkable where their very first film ‘Siri Siri Muvva’was a huge hit at the box office. All these films were showcased at the Moscow Film Festival.

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In his lifetime, Edida Nageswara Rao has achieved milestones like none other. The producer has delivered three films that won National Award. He was also a member of the National Awards committee. In the year 1986, his film ‘Swatimutyam’ that starred Kamal Haasan and Radikaa Sarathkumar was selected at India’s official entry for Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards.

Rao was also nominated for the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award. His rites will be conducted today on October 5, 2015 in Hyderabad. Telugu actors Chiranjeevi, Allu Arjun, Sai Tej and others have come forward and expressed their grief over the demise of Rao who was also the President of Telugu Film Producers Council.