A Tribute to a Business Legend in this Century

Yes. It is Ramoji Rao, who is the creator of the biggest film Studio on this planet- “Ramoji Film City”, News Paper, TV channels and the King maker of India. I had the privilege of having the most number of lunch dates with him along with my family in his chamber, only after my parents and in-laws. I observed, heard and learnt a great deal from this legend (1936-2024). I want this piece to be an inspiration for all!

This is about the hustle. Hustle, not with sharp elbows, but creating circles of influence with his brain power. He wrote down his ideas with colored pens in a note book, the only piece of object on his table. I learnt to write down my thoughts and what I learn (like the photo here), thanks to him.

It all started with manifesting his great vision, adopting regal names, preparing for his empire to be built. He started with finance industry Margadarsi, his first step. As that gained momentum in accruing people’s trust and financial success, he went on to establish multi- faceted media and film industry. Aesthetics, combined with intellectual power of creativity, ultimately for the utility to the world- might be his signature.

Mr. Ramoji Rao is the maker and creator for great minds. He embraced brightest people to surround him through employment, he instilled courage and belief in themselves and fostered greatness. This ripple effect is possible through the key factor, his shrewd mind of spotting the best and keeping trouble makers at bay.

He was obsessed with customer care. He spoke of it constantly. He wanted the paper “at the most competitive rate” to be delivered before folk got up, when that was unheard of, back in the day. He always focused on the common man. He dreamed big for change, influence, inculcate art, beauty, teach administration a.k.a. politics and business through his media business at scale. No wonder, he is instrumental in Modi becoming the Prime Minister of India and Chandra Babu Naidu, the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.

Uncle never stopped to buy half of the big city Hyderabad that he could afford, but went after his mission to buy just around 400 acres to build the film city. This action called for courage to plan humungous projects. He was able to carefully execute the vision, and did nothing in random fashion, a point to note.

Ramoji Rao Uncle always designed incredible things like exclusive clothing stores, gourmet food making for popular pickles, great gardens and hotels as part of his industries, a formidable Journalism school, advertising and his TV channels and paper expanded to the entire country. This speaks to wanting to deliver all things people need, and expanding the business that he knows in depth, as far as he could drive the mission. This is where I ask young people- to learn the work deeply, passionately, and material is inexhaustible wherever you are, but it is how you dive into it! Grow deep before you grow big.

Now let me tell you how he is as a human at a personal level. Whenever we went with my father-in-law Dr. Krishna Chowdary (Uncle’s confidante and doctor), my husband Narendra and our boys each summer, he would just focus on us as though nothing else is happening. I have never seen a host (NEVER) to be SO present. He is surprisingly so open about his struggles and wins equally, and he asked the most pertinent questions. When my son Rohan was in Time Magazine as the next 100 most influential people in tech, he wrote a beautiful letter immediately. That is the attention to detail, as we are one of thousands he touched in the same manner. I fondly recall that he came to say good bye at the airport when we were leaving India for the first time more than three decades ago. He encouraged me to participate in health series through his TV channels. He never really traveled too much which is how he saved his time, tirelessly working away in his fort. People always go to him, never the other way around. He is a magnanimous, generous soul that gave employment to so many hundreds of thousands and elevated countless lives. He intensely loved and mentored his family and friends. He is a man of the word.

In a small way, when I serve the people from all facets of life such as TV and media industry, Hospitality, Technology, Universities, Museums, Second City, Cubs, Mayor’s office, Airlines all the way to ground staff in O’Hare international airport in Chicago, I think of servitude in the sincerest manner, be it a celebrity or a common man. I feel Ramoji Rao uncle made my pilot light a bit brighter through his ways. I stay inspired. I want all young people to dream big and execute to your fullest potential, by giving the best that you can offer, having the back of those people you serve. Yes, dream it and do it.