Ramoji Rao passed away on Saturday, leaving the media industry and the Telugu film industry saddened. From Chiranjeevi and Pawan Kalyan to Balakrishna and SS Rajamouli, Tollywood has written heart-felt condolence messages since morning.
Rajamouli went a step ahead and wrote that Rao deserves the highest civilian honour. "ONE man with his 50 years of resilience, hard work and innovation provided employment, livelihood and hope for millions. The only way we can pay tribute to Ramoji Rao garu is by conferring him with BHARAT RATNA," the 'RRR' and 'Baahubali' director wrote.
While Rao was a legendary personality in his own right and his Ramoji Film City remains unparalleled, wishing for a Bharat Ratna is a bit funny. Rao was a businessman who founded Eenadu and RFC for profit motive. There are media barons with a far higher influence in the Hindi belt than what he has wielded in the Telugu States. None of them has been given a Bharat Ratna. RFC was built for profit and the generation of employment has been a direct consequence of the profit motive. There is nothing wrong in nurturing profit motives. Every businessman and capitalist has money in mind. But not everyone who generates employment and makes money is given Bharat Ratna. If that were the case, the one who deserves it the most would be Mukesh Ambani.
