Regret not being a part of Dasari’s funeral: Chiranjeevi

Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce organised a condolence for legendary filmmaker Dasari Narayana Rao on Friday at its premises, where rich tributes were paid by top stars and filmmakers, who recalled his yeoman service to the industry. Representing the apex body, D Suresh Babu, Damodar Prasad and members of other bodies like K S Rama Rao, Komara Venkatesh and others recalled his services.

Beginning the meeting, leading actor Chiranjeevi said “I was unable to attend the funeral of Dasari as I was not in the country. I would regret it for my life. He used to ask me about the box-office performance of my film ‘Khaidi No 150’, I would never forget his concern.

I could spend time with him on his birthday on May 4 and personally handed over the Allu Ramalingaiah award to him. He relentlessly fought for the welfare of cine workers and they have lost a guardian,” says the actor, while AP Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao adds “Dasari has served the industry in various capacities like writer, producer, director and he is truly a one man army,’.

In his speech, producer D Suresh Babu said “Dasari is a director-par-excellence and irreplaceable,’ while Allu Arvind recalled his days with Dasari from their Chennai days. “He encouraged me to get into the industry and has been a family friend. His doors were always open for people who were in trouble and left a big vacuum,” he adds.