Director of the superhit film Arundhati, Kodi Ramakrishna, passed away in Hyderabad on Friday due to ill health. The director reportedly complained of breathing trouble, following which he was rushed to a private hospital in Gachibowli on Thursday evening. He was put on ventilator, but passed away.
Kodi Ramakrishna directed several superhit films which include Ammoru, Devullu, Bharat Bandh, Pelli Sandhadi, Devi, Anji among others. Ammoru was made in Tamil as Amman, which was dubbed in several other languages later. The director was known to make devotional films that required computer-generated graphics. In his career spanning the Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada film industries, he had directed more than 100 films.
The director made a comeback with the film Arundhati starring Anushka Shetty, which was made in 2009. The film created a trend for films with women actors in the lead.
Though Ramakrishna was supposed to make his debut with Tarangini in 1982, starring Bhanu Chander, Suman and Poornima, the film was kept on hold as the producer said that it was a great risk to make a debut with newcomers. Ramakrishna then directed Intlo Ramayya Veedhilo Krishnayya, with Chiranjeevi and Madhavi, which released in the same year. The film became a huge hit, even running in theatres for more than 550 days.
Kodi Ramakrishna was born in Palakollu, West Godavari district. Before directing films he worked as Associate Director in Korikale Gurralaithe. His last directorial was Avatharam in 2014, a devotional film.
Ramakrishna had earlier suffered a heart attack and a paralytic attack. However, he made a quick recovery and continued making films.
Several people expressed their condolences over his demise. Minister of Human Resource Ganta Srinivasa Rao tweeted, “Legendary Director & Producer #kodiramakrishna Garu Is No More. Our Deepest Condolences. May your soul Rest In Peace.” (sic).
Actor Junior NTR wrote, “Telugu Cinema has lost a Legend. #RIPKodiRamaKrishnaGaru . You will be missed.” (sic)
Telugu Cinema has lost a Legend. #RIPKodiRamaKrishnaGaru . You will be missed
— Jr NTR (@tarak9999) February 22, 2019
“Very shocked and saddened to hear about the passing of Kodi Ramakrishna Garu... Sir always brought a smile on my face... May your soul Rest In Peace Sir,” tweeted actor Varun Sandesh.
Very shocked and saddened to hear about the passing of Kodi Ramakrishna Garu... Sir always brought a smile on my face... May your soul Rest In Peace Sir... #RIPKodiRamaKrishnaGaru #Legend pic.twitter.com/WBWpR9K7pv
— Varun Sandesh (@iamvarunsandesh) February 22, 2019