Telugu producer Edida Nageswara Rao, who has done landmark films "Shankarabharanam", "Sagarasangamam" and "Swatimutyam", died of old-age-related illness at a private hospital in Hyderabad on Sunday.

Edida Nageswara Rao was reportedly rushed to the hospital following some ailment on 20 September. He breathed his last at 5.00 pm on Sunday while undergoing treatment. "He was admitted for old-age related ailments a week ago. He passed away while undergoing treatment this evening at the hospital," a family source told IANS.

He was born in Kothapeta, East Godavari, on 24 April, 1934. Having started his career as a theatre artiste, he went on to become a film actor. In 1978, he launched his production banner Poornodaya Movie Creations and produced director K Vishwanath's "Siri Siri Muvva". His maiden movie was a big hit at the box office. Then, there was no looking back for this producer.

Later, Edida Nageswara Rao collaborated with legendary director K Vishwanath for six films, some of which turned out to be landmark films in the history of Telugu cinema. In his career spanning two decades, he produced around 10 movies in Telugu. "Shankarabharanam", "Sagarasangamam" and "Swatimutyam" are among his most notable contributions.

His 1986 movie "Swatimutyam" starring Kamal Haasan and Radikaa Sarathkumar was chosen as India's official entry for the Best Foreign Language Film for the Academy Awards in 1986, but was not nominated. Three of his films have won National awards. He was also nominated for the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke Award. His last rites will be conducted on Monday.

The news about Edida Nageswara Rao's death has shocked and saddened many in Telananga and Andhra Pradesh. Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, AP Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, YSR Congress president YS Jaganmohan Reddy and others have mourned the death of the veteran producer.

Some Tollywood celebs took to their Twitter pages to offer prayers for the departed soul of Edida Nageswara Rao. Here are their Twitter comments:

Radikaa Sarathkumar ‏@realradikaa

Very sad 2 hear of the demise of Eddida Nageshwara Rao a fine producer a loss 2 Telugu cinema,prod of Sankarabharanam, Swathi Muthyam. RIP

Allu Arjun ‏@alluarjun

Classic Producer of Telugu Cinema who gave us Sankarabharanam,SagaraSangamam, Swathimuthyam n many more Sri Edida NagaswaraRao Garu no more

Allu Sirish ‏@AlluSirish

RIP Edida Nageswara Rao garu : a dear family friend & producer of classics like Shankara Bharanam, Swathi Muthyam & Swayamkrushi.

Sai Dharam Tej ‏@IamSaiDharamTej

Telugu cinema sthayini penchina chitrala nirmatha Edida Nageswararao gari Athmaku santhi kalagalani aa devudini korukuntunnanu.

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