Hyderabad: Telugu film industry’s noted film producer and publicist BA Raju passed away on Saturday due to COVID-19. The news was confirmed by his son Shiva Kumar on Twitter.
Raju contracted the coronavirus infection a few weeks ago and was receiving treatment for the same. He died of a drop in sugar levels followed by a cardiac arrest.
“With extreme sorrow & grief we would like to announce the untimely demise of our beloved father Shri B.A.Raju. He passed away due to sudden fluctuations of diabetes & cardiac arrest. May his Soul Rest In Peace. Dad Be A “Raju” Forever because You are a “SUPERHIT” in Our Hearts.”
BA Raju’s journey in Tollywood
BA Raju was one of the celebrated producer in the Telugu film industry. He started his career as a film journalist and then forayed in prodcution. He made his debut as a film producer with the film Premalo Pavani Kalyan in 2002 and went on to bankroll movies like Premikulu, Chantigaduand Premalo Pavani Kalyan.
Tollywood mourns the loss
Raju’s sudden demise has left the whole Tollywood industry, who expressed their shock and poured in their condolences on social media.
Mahesh Babu tweeted, “Not able to process the sudden demise of BA Raju garu. I’ve known him since my childhood. We travelled together for many years and I worked with him very closely.”
Jr NTR wrote, “The sudden demise of BA Raju Garu has left me in shock. As one of the most senior film journalists & PRO, he has contributed greatly to the Film Industry. I’ve known him since my earliest days in TFI. It is a huge loss. Praying for strength to his family. Rest in Peace Raju Garu.”
SS Rajamouli said, “Truly shocked by the sudden demise of BA Raju garu. Losing a senior member like him, who has such a vast experience of working as a Film Journalist & PRO for over 1500 movies, is a void that cannot be filled. You’ll be missed. Rest in peace.”
Prabhas expressed shock and tweeted, “Shocked by the sudden demise of senior journalist and PRO #BARaju garu, who was nothing short of a family member to me. I worked with him on many films through my career and will forever cherish the experience. This is a huge loss to TFI. My prayers are with the family.”
Check out the other tweets here: