Highlights
- Veteran filmmaker Daggubati Ramanaidu, who was conferred the Dadasaheb Phalke award today, said he felt "honoured" with the recognition.
- "I feel honoured. I have served the film industry with commitment for over 45 years now," Ramanaidu, who is currently shooting his latest Telugu film at Araku in Visakhapatnam, said in interview, as news of his being chosen for the award was announced.
- He expressed his gratitude to the Indian film industry in general and the Telugu film industry in particular, also thanking the audience for having supported and respected him all through.
Veteran filmmaker Daggubati Ramanaidu, who was conferred the Dadasaheb Phalke award today, said he felt "honoured" with the recognition.
"I feel honoured. I have served the film industry with commitment for over 45 years now," Ramanaidu, who is currently shooting his latest Telugu film at Araku in Visakhapatnam, said in interview, as news of his being chosen for the award was announced.
He expressed his gratitude to the Indian film industry in general and the Telugu film industry in particular, also thanking the audience for having supported and respected him all through.
Ramanaidu, born on June 6, 1936, produced more than 110 films in almost all Indian languages. This has earned him a place in the Guinness World Records.
He also acted in a handful of his own films. The 74-year-old filmmaker was elected to Lok Sabha on behalf of Telugu Desam Party from Bapatla constituency in 1999.
His elder son D Suresh Babu is a film producer, while the younger son Venkatesh is a popular Telugu actor, who also acted in a couple of Hindi movies like
Anari and
Taqdeerwala. Ramanaidu's grandson Rana is an upcoming actor.
Suresh said it was a great honour and moment of pride for the entire family. "We are extremely happy that our father has been chosen for the most prestigious film award in the country," Suresh added.