Veteran Telugu film producer and distributor V. Doraswamy Raju passed away on Monday at a private hospital in Hyderabad due to cardiac arrest. Soon, tributes and condolences started pouring in for the late producer. Producer Naga Vamsi tweeted, “Condolences to Doraswamy Raju garu family. He was one of the most passionate distributors and producers of TFI. Rest in Peace Sir!”Veteran director K Raghavendra Rao posted a video remembering Doraswamy Raju on Twitter. Filmmaker SS Rajamouli, actors Jr NTR and Nani, along with screenwriter Gopi Mohan also paid respects on social media. Producer AM Rathnam expressed condolences through the Twitter handle of Mega Surya Productions.
Jr NTR's Tweet wrote in Telugu saying, "The news that Doraswamy Raju is no more is very sad. His services to the Telugu film industry as a producer and distributor are unforgettable. His role was crucial in the success of Simhadri. Wishing peace to his soul, I extend my deepest sympathies to his family members."Doraswamy Raju is the founder of VMC organizations that includes the film production house Vijaya Maruthi Creations and VMC film distributions. VMC was inaugurated by legendary actor NT Ramarao in 1978. Raju has more than 700 movies to his credit as a film distributor and produced blockbuster films with actors Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Nagarjuna Akkineni, and Junior NTR. As a producer, he has bankrolled films like Seetharamaiah Gaari Manavaralu, Annamayya, Simhadri, President Gari Pellam, amongst others. . He was also a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the Nagari constituency.