D. V. S. Raju

Datla Venkata Suryanarayana Raju (13 December 1928 – 13 November 2010), widely known as D. V. S. Raju, was an Indian film producer known for his work in Telugu cinema. He is credited with playing a pivotal role in relocating the Telugu film industry from Madras to Hyderabad. Over his career, he produced around 25 films, including successful Telugu productions such as Maa Babu, Mangamma Sapadham (1965), Pidugu Ramudu (1966), Tikka Sankarayya (1968), Gandikota Rahasyam (1969), and Jeevana Jyothi (1975), as well as the Hindi film Mujhe Insaaf Chaahiye (1983).

Raju held several prominent leadership roles in the Indian film industry, including serving as the Honorary Secretary of the South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce in 1966 and as a jury member for the 15th National Film Awards. From 1979 to 1980, he was the President of the Film Federation of India. As Chairman of the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), Raju was instrumental in co-funding the Academy Award-winning film Gandhi (1982). He also served as Chairman of the Andhra Pradesh State Film Development Corporation. In recognition of his contributions to Indian cinema, Raju was awarded the Raghupathi Venkaiah Award in 1988 and the Padma Shri in 2001. His father, Datla Balarama Raju served as a Member of Parliament for the Narasapuram constituency, representing the Lok Sabha for two consecutive terms from 1962 to 1971.

Partnership with NAT Films Raju gained Rama Rao’s appreciation by producing high-quality posters for the latter's first home production Pichi Pullayya (1953). He later became a partner in NAT Films, the production company of Rama Rao and his brother N. Trivikrama Rao. As a financier, he supported the production of several successful films under NAT Films, including Thodu Dongalu (1954), Jayasimha (1955), Panduranga Mahatyam (1957), and Gulebakavali Katha (1962).

Filmography Source:

Awards

Filmfare Award for Best Film - Telugu - Jeevana Jyothi (1975) Nandi Award for Best Feature Film - Gold - Jeevana Jyothi'' (1975) Raghupathi Venkaiah Award by Andhra Pradesh Government in 1988 Padma Shri award by Government of India in 2001 Bhishma Award