Veteran movie director Kodi Ramakrishna, who directed nearly 202 movies in a career spanning 37 years, passed away on Friday afternoon at a hospital in the city. He was 70 and was ailing for the past few days.
Telugu film industry went into mourning as the news of the death of the successful director spread. Born in Palakollu in West Godavari district, Mr. Ramakrishna directed movies in multiple languages including Tamil, Hindi and Kannada.
“Extremely saddened by the news of director Kodi Ramakrishna garu’s demise. His contribution to Telugu cinema is unparalleled; our industry will never forget his work. My thoughts & prayers are with his closed ones... May his soul rest in peace!” tweeted actor Mahesh Babu.
“A huge loss to #TFI..His contribution to cinema remains remarkable with so many path-breaking films like #Arundhati #Ammoru #ManganmaGariManavudu #Ankusam and many others...Strength to the family and loved ones...RIP #KodiRamakrishna garu..” Manchu Lakshmi posted on a microblogging site.
Beginning his career with a bang, in 1982 he helmed the Intlo Ramayya Veedilo Krishnayya which led to the rise of another superstar in Telugu film industry Chiranjeevi. Gollapudi Maruthi Rao scripted it, and the movie was a big hit and was remade in many languages including Hindi where Govinda was cast as the hero. Two years later, in 1984 he scored another hit with Mangamma Gari Manavadu which had Nandamuri Balakrishna in the lead. The duo went to score more hits together.
Known for supernatural as well as heroine-oriented movies, the last big hit Mr. Ramakrishna delivered was Arundhati , the 2009 supernatural drama starring Anushka Shetty propelled him to stardom for the second time in his long career.
