D. V. S. Raju | |
|---|---|
| Born | Datla Venkata Suryanarayana Raju 13 December 1928 Allavaram, East Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh, India |
| Died | 13 November 2010(2010-11-13) (aged 81) Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India |
| Occupation | Film producer |
| Father | Datla Balarama Raju |
| Awards | Padma Shri (2001) Raghupathi Venkaiah Award (1988) |
Datla Venkata Suryanarayana Raju (13 December 1928 – 13 November 2010), widely known asD. V. S. Raju, was an Indian film producer known for his work inTelugu cinema. He is credited with playing a pivotal role in relocating the Telugu film industry fromMadras to Hyderabad.[1] Over his career, he produced around 25 films, including successful Telugu productions such asMaa Babu (1960),Mangamma Sapadham (1965),Pidugu Ramudu (1966),Tikka Sankarayya (1968),Gandikota Rahasyam (1969), andJeevana Jyothi (1975), as well as the Hindi filmMujhe Insaaf Chaahiye (1983).[2]
Raju held several prominent leadership roles in the Indian film industry, including serving as the Honorary Secretary of theSouth Indian Film Chamber of Commerce in 1966 and as a jury member for the15th National Film Awards. From 1979 to 1980, he was the President of theFilm Federation of India.[3] As Chairman of theNational Film Development Corporation (NFDC), Raju was instrumental in co-funding theAcademy Award-winning filmGandhi (1982). He also served as Chairman of the Andhra Pradesh State Film Development Corporation. In recognition of his contributions to Indian cinema, Raju was awarded theRaghupathi Venkaiah Award in 1988 and thePadma Shri in 2001.[2]
Datla Venkata Suryanarayana Raju was born on 13 December 1928 to Datla Balarama Raju and Subhadrayamma inAllavaram,East Godavari district,Andhra Pradesh (now part ofKonaseema district).[4][5] His father,Datla Balarama Raju served as aMember of Parliament for theNarasapuram constituency, representing theLok Sabha for two consecutive terms from 1962 to 1971.[4]
After completing his degree inKakinada, Raju became a partner in Cine Litho Works, a company specializing in printing film posters. His management of theMadras branch and innovations in the offset printing process helped him build connections in the film industry, particularly withN. T. Rama Rao, through a mutual friend,T. V. Raju.[6]
Raju gained Rama Rao’s appreciation by producing high-quality posters for the latter's first home productionPichi Pullayya (1953). He later became a partner in NAT Films, the production company of Rama Rao and his brotherN. Trivikrama Rao. As a financier, he supported the production of several successful films under NAT Films, includingThodu Dongalu (1954),Jayasimha (1955),Panduranga Mahatyam (1957), andGulebakavali Katha (1962).[6][5]
WhilePanduranga Mahatyam was still under production, Raju ventured into dubbing films, working on the Telugu filmPenki Pellam (1956), which he released in Tamil asKanniyane Kadimai. Following this, he co-produced the bilingual filmMaa Babu (1960) under Pragati Art Productions. Directed byTatineni Prakash Rao, the film was based on the Hindi movieChirag Kahan Roshni Kahan (1959) and starredAkkineni Nageswara Rao andSavitri in lead roles.[6]
In 1964, Raju founded his own production company, D.V.S. Productions. His first film under this banner was the folklore dramaMangamma Sapatham (1965). This film, which featured Rama Rao in the roles of both father and son, became a commercial success, running for over 100 days in several centers. Raju's decision to produce a folklore film was inspired by the success of Rama Rao's earlier folklore movies and the popularity of the genre at the time. The film was directed by the renowned folklore filmmakerB. Vittalacharya, and was based on the 1943 Tamil filmMangamma Sabatham.[6]
Raju went on to produce around 25 films, including notable films such asPidugu Ramudu (1966),Tikka Sankarayya (1968),Gandikota Rahasyam (1969),Chinnanaati Snehithulu (1971),Jeevana Jyothi (1975),Jeevitha Nouka (1977) andChanakya Sapatham (1986). He also produced the Hindi filmMujhe Insaaf Chaahiye (1983).[2][6]
Jeevana Jyothi earned critical acclaim and won the stateNandi Award. His productionPidugu Ramudu and his other films with Rama Rao became key milestones in his career.[2]
Raju held several leadership roles in the film industry throughout his career. In 1966, he was elected as the Honorary Secretary of the South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce (SIFCC), and in 1967, he served as a Jury Member at the15th National Film Awards.[4] From 1979 to 1980, he was President of theFilm Federation of India[3] and later served as Chairman of theNational Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC). During his time at NFDC, he helped co-fundGandhi (1982), which won eightAcademy Awards.[7][5] Raju served as Chairman of the Andhra Pradesh State Film Development Corporation twice, in 1989 and again from 2002 to 2004. He played a key role in organizing theInternational Film Festival of India (Filmotsav) inHyderabad in 1986, with the support of then-Chief Minister N. T. Rama Rao.[4] During his tenure, he oversaw the construction of the Telugu Lalitha Kala Thoranam, completed in time for the festival.[5]
One of Raju’s most significant achievements was his role in relocating the Telugu film industry from Madras to Hyderabad.[2] His efforts, along with other industry stalwarts, were instrumental in establishing Hyderabad as the centre of Telugu cinema. He also founded the Film Nagar Cultural Centre (FNCC) in Hyderabad, which remains a key institution in the film community.[4]
D. V. S. Raju married Anasuya Devi in 1948, and they had three daughters and two sons.[4] He died on 13 November 2010 at the age of 81 after a brief illness.[1][2]
D. V. S. Raju's son-in-law, K. L. N. Raju, ventured into film production with his debut as a producer in the 2018 filmAnaganaga O Premakatha.[8]
Source:[9]
| Year | Film | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | Maa Babu | Telugu | |
| 1961 | Anbumagan | Tamil | |
| 1965 | Mangamma Sapatham | Telugu | |
| 1966 | Pidugu Ramudu | Telugu | |
| 1968 | Tikka Sankarayya | Telugu | |
| 1969 | Gandikota Rahasyam | Telugu | |
| 1971 | Chinnanaati Snehithulu | Telugu | |
| 1973 | Dhanama? Daivama? | Telugu | |
| 1975 | Jeevana Jyoti | Telugu | Nandi Award for Best Feature Film |
| 1975 | Devudulanti Manishi | Telugu | |
| 1977 | Jeevitha Nouka | Telugu | |
| 1978 | Kalanthakulu | Telugu | |
| 1979 | President Peramma | Telugu | |
| 1980 | Alludu Pattina Bharatham | Telugu | |
| 1981 | Pralaya Geetham | Telugu | |
| 1983 | Mujhe Insaaf Chahiye | Hindi | |
| 1984 | Marchandi Mana Chattalu | Telugu | |
| 1986 | Chanakya Sapatham | Telugu | |
| 1986 | Jayam Manade | Telugu | |
| 1987 | Bhanumathi gari Mogudu | Telugu | |
| 1990 | Doshi Nirdoshi | Telugu | |
| 1992 | Champion | Telugu | |
| 1993 | Rajadhani | Telugu |
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