Telugu Film Producer Gogineni Prasad Dies Aged 73

In a sombre moment for the South Indian film industry, celebrated Telugu movie producer Gogineni Prasad bid farewell to the world on Wednesday at the age of 73. His passing at 5 PM followed a period of declining health. Gogineni Prasad passed away peacefully at his residence in Kondapur, Hyderabad.

Gogineni Prasad was known for his prolific contributions to Telugu cinema, having produced several popular films that left an indelible mark on the industry. Some of his notable works include Ee Charithi Ae Sirato, Sri Shirdi Saibaba Mahatyam and Palnati Puli, where he collaborated with the legendary actor Nandamuri Balakrishna.

The veteran producer is survived by his son, who resides in the United States. According to his family, his last rites will be performed on Thursday afternoon at the Jubilee Hills Mahaprasthanam, marking the end of an era in Telugu cinema.

One of Gogineni Prasad’s remarkable collaborations was with Nandamuri Balakrishna in the film Palnati Puli, translated into Tiger of Palnadu. Directed by Tatineni Prasad, this 1984 release showcased the synergy between the two talents. Gogineni Prasad played a pivotal role in bringing this epic tale to the silver screen under the banner of Sai Chakra Productions. Alongside Balakrishna, the film featured Bhanupriya, with the music composed by Chakravarthy and lyrics penned by Veturi.

In addition to Palnati Puli, Gogineni Prasad also produced the 1986 biographical film Sri Shirdi Saibaba Mahathyam. Directed and written by K Vasu, the film depicted the life of the revered Shirdi Sai Baba, portrayed by Vijayachander. The cast included Chandra Mohan, JV Somayajulu, and Anjali Devi. Co-produced by K Babu Rao, it was created under the banner of Saradhi Studios, with music by Ilaiyaraaja and lyrics by Acharaya Aatreya. The film’s remarkable success was evident as it ran for an impressive 175 days in theatres and even garnered attention at prestigious film festivals like the International Film Festival of India and the Moscow Film Festival. The Hindi dubbed version of the film was titled Shirdi Sai Baba Ki Kahani.

Among his other notable productions was Ee Charithi Ae Sirato, a 1982 release directed by Vejella Satyanarayana. The film boasted a talented cast, including Rajendra Prasad, Gummadi Venkateswara Rao, and Ranganath, with music by Sivaji Raja.