V. Doraswamy Raju
{{Short description|Indian film producer, distributor, and politician (c.1946–2021)}}
{{redirect|Doraswamy Raju|Indian judge|Doraiswamy Raju}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2021}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = V. Doraswamy Raju
| image = Doraswamy Raju.jpg
| office = Member of Legislative Assembly
Andhra Pradesh
| 1namedata1 = {{ubl|N. T. Rama Rao|N. Chandrababu Naidu}}
| 1blankname1 = Chief Minister(s)
| party = Telugu Desam Party
| constituency = Nagari
| term_end = 1999
| term_start = 1994
| death_place = Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| death_date = {{Death date and given age|2021|1|18|74|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Chittoor district, Madras Presidency, British India
| birth_date = {{Birth based on age at death|74|2021|1|18}}
| birth_name =
| other_names =
| caption =
| occupation = {{hlist|Film producer|distributor|politician}}
}}
V. Doraswamy Raju ({{circa}} 1946 – 18 January 2021) was an Indian film producer, distributor, and politician. He produced and distributed several Telugu films under his banner VMC Productions. He served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly from the Telugu Desam Party representing Nagari constituency, Andhra Pradesh between 1994 and 1999. He won two Nandi Awards and two Filmfare Awards.
Early life
Doraswamy Raju was born in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh in a family of farmers. He was married and has a son.{{Cite web|date=2021-01-18|title=Tollywood producer V Doraswami Raju no more|url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/news/2021/jan/18/tollywood-producer-v-doraswami-raju-no-more-22297.html|access-date=2021-05-15|website=Cinema Express|language=en}}
Career
= Films =
Raju started VMC Productions in 1978, which was launched by actor-politician N. T. Rama Rao. His first film as a producer was Kirai Dada (1987), starring Nagarjuna. He later went on to produce successful films such as Seetharamayya gari Manavaralu (1991), President gari Pellam (1992), Madhavayya gari Manavadu (1992), Annamayya (1997), and Simhadri (2003).
In addition to production, he was also involved in film distribution in Rayalaseema. He has distributed over 750 films, giving him nickname "Rayalaseema Raju."{{Cite web|date=2021-01-18|title=Senior Producer V.Doraswamy Raju Passes Away|url=https://english.sakshi.com/news/entertainment/senior-producer-v-doraswamy-raju-passes-away-129063|access-date=2021-05-15|website=Sakshi Post|language=en}}
= Politics =
Raju began his political career in the early 1990s. He was elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly from Nagari constituency in 1994. He contested the Telugu Desam Party ticket and defeated the Indian National Congress candidate R. Chenga Reddy.{{Cite web|title=Andhra Pradesh Assembly Election Results in 1994|url=https://www.elections.in/andhra-pradesh/assembly-constituencies/1994-election-results.html/|access-date=2021-05-15|website=Elections in India}} He also held positions such as member of TTD Board and president of Andhra Pradesh Film Chamber among others.
Death
Raju died on 18 January 2021 at a private hospital in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad after suffering a cardiac arrest.{{Cite web|title=Renowned Telugu film producer and distributor V Doraswamy Raju passes away|url=https://www.zoomtventertainment.com/telugu-cinema/article/renowned-telugu-film-producer-and-distributor-v-doraswamy-raju-passes-away/708562|access-date=2021-05-15|website=Zoom Entertainment}} He was 74.{{Cite web|title=Telugu film producer Doraswami Raju dies at 74|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/telugu-film-producer-doraswami-raju-dies-at-74/2012735|access-date=2021-05-15|website=Outlook India}} Filmmakers such as S. S. Rajamouli, Aswani Dutt, and Murali Mohan paid last respects to Raju.{{Cite web|title=SS Rajamouli, Aswini Dutt and others pay their last respects to producer V Doraswamy Raju|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/ss-rajamouli-aswini-dutt-and-others-pay-their-last-respects-to-producer-v-doraswamy-raju/articleshow/80345312.cms|access-date=2021-05-15|website=The Times of India}}
Filmography
- Kirai Dada (1987)
- Seetharamayya gari Manavaralu (1991)
- President gari Pellam (1992)
- Madhavayya gari Manavadu (1992)
- Annamayya (1997)
- English Pellam East Godavari Mogudu (1999)
- Simhadri (2003) - as presenter
- Konchem Touchlo Vunte Cheputanu (2005)
- Vengamamba (2009)
- Uyyale (2009)
- Sri Vasavi Vaibhavam (2012)
- Vijeta (2016)
Awards
- 1991: Best Film – Telugu – Seetharamayya gari Manavaralu{{cite web|title=List of Awards won by Telugu movie Seetharamaiah Gari Manavaralu|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movie-details/seetharamaiah-gari-manavaralu/movieawards/65143796.cms|access-date=15 May 2021|website=Times of India}}
- 1997: Best Film – Telugu - Annamayya{{Cite web |url=https://archive.org/details/45thFilmfareSouthBestFilmsWinners |title = 45th Filmfare South Best Films Winners : Santosh : Free Download & St… |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170205065518/https://archive.org/details/45thFilmfareSouthBestFilmsWinners |archive-date=5 February 2017 |url-status=dead}}
- 1991: Second Best Feature Film - Silver – Seetharamayya gari Manavaralu{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2010-03-13|title=నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964 - 2008)|trans-title=A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964 - 2008)|url=http://ipr.ap.nic.in/New_Links/Film.pdf|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=15 May 2021|website=|publisher=Information & Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh|page=74|language=te}}
- 1997: Best Feature Film - Gold - Annamayya
References
{{reflist}}