In an yet another major setback to Telugu film fraternity, veteran and national-award winning filmmaker Edida Nageswara Rao died on Sunday (Oct 4) in Hyderabad. He breathed his last today evening at a private hospital. He was 81-year-old. He is survived by wife and son Edida Sriram who is also an actor.

Edida’s mortal body will be taken to his Shankarabharam Nivasam in Film Nagar Road No 8 tomorrow morning by 7 AM. His last rites will be performed tomorrow evening at Mahaprasthanam in Film Nagar. He was founder of acclaimed production house Poornodaya Movie Creations.

He produced critically acclaimed and commercially blockbuster films such as Sankarabharanam, Swati Mutyam, Swayam Krushi, Sagara Sangamam, Aapad Bandhavudu, Swarakalpana, Sitara, Siri Siri Muvva.Edida bagged international acclaim. Thanks to Sankarabharanam, which got him global fame. His films Siri Siri Muvva and Swati Mutyam were even showcased at the Moscow Film Festival.

Few of his films were dubbed & released in the Russian Languages. He had produced films with a rare classical touch in the 1970s and 1980s. Most of the movies produced by him won the National Film Award for best feature film in Telugu category, Nandi Awards and were screened in several international film festivals.

Edida was born to Sattiraju Naidu, he started his career as a theatre actor, film actor, dubbing artist and then ventured into film producing. He also served as Telugu Film producer’s Council Secretary, Nandi Awards Committee Chairman and National Film Award Committee member. His place cannot be replaced by anyone in future.It’s a huge loss for Telugu film industry.

During their high profile marriage in 2012, Ram Charan and Upasana had one request to all the guests, not to buy expensive gifts and instead, donate to an NGO called Save A Child’s Heart. Now, the star couple has once again shown its kindheartedness as both Charan and Upasana donated 3.5 lakhs to a film industry employee.

Apparently, the lightman named Ramana was severely injured in a mishap that took place in July this year while working on a film shoot. Ramana was admitted to Apollo Hospital, run by Upasana. Upon knowing about Ramana’s condition, the couple handed over the cheque to his family members.

The president of Telugu film and TV lightman’s association Srinu confirmed the donation and expressed gratitude on behalf of the association. Apart from Charan and Upasana, Sachiin Joshi also chipped in with a donation of 6 lakhs. Looks like Charan is following his father Chiranjeevi’s footsteps when it comes to lending a helping hand to those in need.

The promotional campaign for India’s first historic 3D film Rudramadevi has been creating a lot of positive buzz. After a whirlwind promotional trip to Chennai yesterday, Rudramadevi team is back in Hyderabad and met with Tollywood media. The meeting soon turned out to be a mutual appreciation club for Anushka and Allu Arjun.

Lauding Allu Arjun’s generous gesture of acting in Rudramadevi, Anushka said that Bunny is one actor who always wishes to see Tollywood grow big. Anushka then said that Bunny did films like Vedam and Rudramadevi only for that reason of being party of pathbreaking films in Tollywood.

Even the film’s director, Gunasekhar drenched Bunny in a rain of praises and said that Bunny is a star hero and he has no need to act in special roles. But, Bunny did the Gonagannareddy part for his love for cinema and Telugu history.

Bunny, in turn, praised Anushka got her courage to accept female oriented films. Bunny also expressed his confidence saying that Gunasekhar’s dream project will surely enthrall the audiences.