Popular Telugu dialogue writer Ganesh Patro passed away due to cancer in the wee hours of Monday in Chennai. He was 69.
Patro was undergoing treatment for cancer at a private hospital, but lost his battle and died on Monday.
The veteran writer was born in 1945 in Parvatipuram, Vijayanagaram district and began his film career as a dialogue writer in 1965. Patro has provided dialogues for several films between 1970 and 1990. Some of his notable films include "Maro Charitra," "Rudraveena," "Maa Pallelo Gopaludu," "Nirnayam" and "Mayuri" among others.
He took a 15-year sabbatical and returned to writing dialogues for Mahesh Babu-Venkatesh starrer "Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu" ("SVSC"), which hit screens in 2013. His dialogues are the major highlights of the film and were well-received by the audience.
Patro, who has written for several plays, was a specialist in using regional dialects, reported The Hindu. He has several awards including the Nandi award for best dialogue writer and best screenplay writer.
Several fans and Telugu film celebrities have expressed grief over the death of the eminent writer.
BVS Ravi: "Eminent writer n playwright #GaneshPatro passes away..His works will stand tall n live longer to guide many aspirants in the craft."
idlebrain jeevi: "Veteran writer Ganesh Patro is no more. Penned dialogues for classics like Maro Charitra. Recently SVSC. Nirnayam songs too. RiP."
Sri B: "Just a few days after K Balachander's demise, his voice (telugu translator) Ganesh Patro dies. What a sad few months we have been having."
Srikanth Yalavarthi: "sad sad news to start the day - senior writer #GaneshPatro leaves this land to enlighten the other world! bye sir!"
SURYA DESARAJU: "Very sad to learn about the demise of one of the best writers Ganesh Patro this morning. He was a top dialogue writer & also lyricist. RIP."
It has been a big blow to the Telugu film industry, which has been witnessing the death of some of the eminent personalities in the last few weeks. On Sunday, the industry was in shock to hear the death of popular character artiste Ahuti Prasad, who died of cancer.
In December 2014, popular film personalities including legendary director Balachander and music composer Chakri lost their lives.
