HYDERABAD: The Telugu film fraternity and scores of fans of director EVV Satyanarayana turned up in huge numbers to pay their last respects to the popular director who died here yesterday.
EVV was best known for his ability to churn out humourous entertainers.
Though he had worked with the likes of Chiranjeevi, Venkatesh, Nagarjuna and even Amitabh Bachhan, he had a special place in his films and a bond in his heart with comedians like Brahmanandam, Ali, AVS, LB Sriram and MS Narayana whom he had given a big push and elevated them professionally with his well-sketched characters.
“Our association goes back to mid 90s when I acted in his movie Maa Nanna ki Pelli. It was my first movie with him but I consider it my turning point. My role in the movie was widely appreciated and even brought me a Nandi award. After that performance, I had become a regular in his movies,” says MS Narayana fondly recalling his association with the late director.
EVV’s never-say-die attitude will be a constant source of inspiration to him, adds Narayana.
Another actor considered clost to the late director, comedian AVS, was at a loss for words. “After Jandhyala, it was EVV who made good humour on the Telugu screen.
With EVV’s death, comedy itself is in tears,” he said.
Character actor Chalapathi Rao, who had 25 years of friendship with the director, felt an era in Telugu film industry has ended. “The Telugu film industry has lost an asset. Comedians got prime roles in his movies. But now I see a bleak future for them and comedy movies,” he said.
EVV was not only a great director but also a very humble human being, said Chiranjeevi.
Balakrishna, Paruchuri Brothers, Allu Arjun, Allu Aravind, Kota Srinivasa Rao, Pavan Kalyan, Uthhej, Chandrababu Naidu, Maganti Babu and Mohan Babu were among those who turned up at the late director’s residence to pay tributes to him.