Veteran filmmaker T Rama Rao passes away at 83

According to reports, he died due to an age-related illness.

His last rites will be performed at 4 pm on Wednesday.

Rao started his work in the film industry in the late 1950s as the assistant director of his cousin T. Prakash Rao and Kotayya Pratyagatma, before making his directorial debut with 1966 Telugu film Navarathri.

According to Encyclopædia Britannica, Rao was "the man who established the 'Madras movie', or Hindi films funded primarily by southern capital, as a viable commercial option in the all-India market..."

Rama Rao had worked with many big names like NTR, ANR, Shoban Babu, Krishna, Balakrishna, Sridevi, Jayapradha, Jayasudha etc.

He directed films like Navarathri, Jeevana Tarangalu, Bramachari, Aalumagalu, Yamagola, Presidenti Gari Abbayi, Illalu, Pandani Jeevitham and Pachani Kapuram among others in Telugu.

Expressing his grief on the passing away of Rao, actor Ajay Devgn tweeted: "Sad to hear of filmmaker T Rama Rao Garu’s demise. He dominated the era of socials in the 80s. Both, my dad and I were closely associated with him. 🕉 Shanti. My condolences to his family. May the Almighty give them strength in their hour of grief🙏"

Veteran actor Anupam Kher also took to Twitter to share his thoughts.

"Deeply saddened to know about the demise of veteran filmmaker & a dear friend Shri #TRamaRao ji. I had the privilege of working with him in #AakhriRaasta and  #Sansaar!! He was compassionate, commanding & had a great sense of humour. My condolences to his family! Om Shanti! 🙏♿️"