The Telugu Film Industry is grief-stricken as it lost veteran story and dialogue writer Ganesh Patro. The 70-year-old maverick writer closely associated with stalwart K. Balachander and worked for classics like Maro Charitra, Rudra Veena, Idi Katha Kadu, Seetaramayyagari Manavaralu, Mayuri and etc. Not many know that Ganesh Patro had great bonding with Telugu writer-actor Gollapudi Maruti Rao.
In fact, Ganesh forayed into films with the support of Gollapudi and often calls him as his “Guru” and father-figure. 19-days before his death, Ganesh Patro had sent an SMS to Gollapudi explaining his situation. As per Gollapudi, the SMS reads so, “Dear Maruti, I’ve admitted to hospital for an oral surgery. You’re my Guru. You had never shown your disinterest in enjoying Guntur’s Lanka Tobacco (Chutta).
Also you had never turned down having fun with betel quid with tobacco (Calcutta Patta tho Kattina Jarda Killi with Kashmir Kimaam). Bad always come along with good. God will bless the one who quits the bad habits soon after discovering them. Fortunately, you did so. One who can’t give up bad habits will reach the God. You have to explain this to your sons- Patro.”
As soon as he completed reading the SMS, Gollapudi had called Ganesh Patro but Ganesh difficultly told him, “I can’t speak for a month. Sorry Maruti.” And those were Ganesh’s last words with Maruti. After six days of this incident, veteran director K. Balachander who was also hospitalised passed away.
During these 14 days, Ganesh’s thoughts continued to haunt Gollapudi. Gollapudi had sent an SMS on Jan 2 asking him, “Are you recovering?” only to know that cancer has spread all over the body of Ganesh and he wasn’t in a state to speak. On Monday, Jan 5, Ganesh breathed his last leaving his family and friends like Gollapudi in despair.
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