Ramoji Group

Ramoji Group
IndustryConglomerate
Founded1962 (1962)
FounderCherukuri Ramoji Rao
Headquarters
Hyderabad, Telangana
,
India
Area served
Worldwide
ServicesMass media, Entertainment, film production, financial services, retail, education, hospitality

Ramoji Group is an Indian conglomerate founded by Ramoji Rao and headquartered in Hyderabad, India. Its businesses cover television and newspaper media, film production, financial services, retail, education and hospitality.[1] In 1996, one of its businesses, Ramoji Film City, was recognized by Guinness World Records as the largest film studio complex in the world.

History

Founding and early business (1960s)

The group was founded by Cherukuri Ramoji Rao (born 16 Nov 1936 in Pedaparupudi, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh) who came from a farming family and studied in Gudivada.[2] One of his earliest ventures (circa 1962) was the launch of the chit fund business Margadarsi Chit Fund Pvt. Ltd..[2] His entry into print media began with a magazine for farmers (‘Annadata’) in 1969.[2]

Expansion into print media and diversification (1970s–1980s)

In 1974, the group launched the Telugu daily newspaper Eenadu from Visakhapatnam. This marked a major shift for the group into mass media.[3] The Hyderabad edition of Eenadu followed in 1975, and further expansion to Vijayawada in 1976. In the early 1980s, the group entered the foods business with the brand Priya Foods (pickles, masalas & oils).[4] Also in this phase, the group entered film production via Ushakiran Movies (founded 1983) which produced films in multiple Indian languages.

Retail, hospitality & further diversification (1990s)

In 1992 the group set up the handicrafts and textile retail brand Kalanjali to promote and sell Indian arts & crafts.[5] During the 1990s, hospitality ventures (such as the Dolphin Hotels chain) and other consumer businesses grew.[6]

Landmark: Ramoji Film City & major media network (mid-1990s onwards)

One of the most iconic milestones was the establishment of Ramoji Film City (RFC) near Hyderabad in 1996.[7]

  • The site covers over 1,600 acres (some sources say ~2,000 acres) and is recognised by Guinness World Records as the world’s largest film studio complex.[8]
  • It was conceived to offer “walk in with your script and walk out with your print” — integrating studios, sets, post-production, and tourism.[7]

In the early 1990s the group launched satellite television business via ETV Network (in Telugu, then expanded to other Indian languages).

Consolidation and current status (2000s–2020s)

The group now spans media (print, TV, digital), film production, retail, hospitality, food, financial services, and thematic tourism.[6]Nearly 3,300 films have been shot at Ramoji Film City in various Indian languages.[7]The group also runs educational institutions (e.g., film & TV academy) and wellness/hospitality facilities.[6]Founder Ramoji Rao passed away on 8 June 2024 at age 87.[9]

Timeline summary

Year Event
1962 Launch of Margadarsi Chit Fund.
1969 Launch of “Annadata” magazine.
1974 Launch of Eenadu newspaper in Visakhapatnam.
Early 1980s Entry into foods (Priya Foods) & film production (Ushakiran Movies).
1992 Launch of Kalanjali retail division.
1996 Inauguration of Ramoji Film City near Hyderabad.
1990s Launch/expansion of ETV Network (satellite TV).
2000s– Diversification into hospitality, tourism, digital media, education.
2024 Passing of founder Ramoji Rao.

Holdings

Ramoji Film City

Ramoji Film City is situated near Hayathnagar in Hyderabad, Telangana. Ramoji Rao bought 2000 acres of private land in 1995 December, then construction started immediately and film city opened in 1996 and was certified by Guinness World Records as the largest integrated film city. Off late Ramoji film city is the only studio to completed construction in one year, it's great achievement. It contains over 1,666 acres (6.74 km2) of land, and is the site for Ushakiran Movies. It hosts a theme park and the Ramoji Academy of Film and Television (RAFT), which offers degrees in filmmaking.[1][10][11]

Eenadu

Main article: Eenadu

Eenadu, which started in 1974 in Visakhapatnam, is one of India's largest circulated regional language daily newspapers. Its Telugu language daily is printed from 23 centers.[1][12]

ETV Network

Main article: ETV Network

ETV Network is a satellite television network of 12 channels aired in eight languages:[1] Telugu, Bangla, Marathi, Kannada, Odia, Gujarati, Urdu and Hindi. It reaches out to viewers in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh and has a dedicated channel for each of the four Hindi-speaking states.

Ushakiran Television carries out television content development for ETV. It has divisions all over India and employs over 1000 people.

Ushakiran Movies

Main article: Ushakiran Movies

Ushakiran Movies, founded in 1983, has produced over 80 films in various Indian languages such as Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Marathi, Bengali.[10][11] It distributes its films through Mayuri.

ETV Bharat

ETV Bharat is a digital news platform created to deliver news and information services using video-centric mobile app and web portals. It has network reach of 24 states with services in 13 languages. ETV Bharat will combine the new technologies of mobile and digital media to engage news and information seekers in a new connected world.[1][13]

Other holdings

  • Margadarsi Chit Fund: The group's flagship company, which was founded in 1962 in a small rented building on Himayat Nagar road, which is one of the largest chit fund (financial instrument) companies, and has a subscriber base of 360,000 members.
  • Dolphin Hotels: The group set up its first three-star hotel in Visakhapatnam in the 1980s and now operates a range of hotels in Ramoji Film City from luxury Hotel Sitara to budget property Tara.[1]
  • Kalanjali: A large shopping mall that offers arts, crafts and textiles from all parts of India.[1]
  • Priya Foods: Manufacturing and marketing condiments, confectionery and edible oils.[1]
  • Brisah: Women's clothing brand, specializing in formal dress and party wear.[1]
  • Ramadevi Public School: ICSE school in Hyderabad established in 2002. Sponsored by Ramadevi Trust
  • Eenadu Journalism School

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "About RFC – Ramoji Group". Ramoji Film City. Archived from the original on 19 October 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  2. ^ a b c "Ramoji Film City founder passes away: Who was Ramoji Rao? Business, family, awards - Ramoji Rao passes away". The Economic Times. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
  3. ^ "Ramoji Rao's entrepreneurial journey began in Visakhapatnam". Webjosh. 8 June 2024. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
  4. ^ "About Priya Foods | Ramoji Group Hyderabad". Priya Foods. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
  5. ^ "About Kalanjali". Kalanjali. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
  6. ^ a b c "About Ramoji Group –A multidimensional company-Hyderabad-India". RAMOJI ACADEMY. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
  7. ^ a b c "About Us | Ramoji Film City". www.ramojifilmcity.com. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
  8. ^ "Largest film studio". Guinness World Records. Archived from the original on 20 March 2025. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
  9. ^ "Ramoji Rao, the versatile genius who revolutionised media industry, passes away at 87". The Indian Express. 8 June 2024. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
  10. ^ a b "Ramoji Film City". The Times Of India. Archived from the original on 15 August 2014. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  11. ^ a b "About – Ramoji Film City". Ramoji Film City. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  12. ^ "Eenadu Info". EEnaduinfo.com. Ushodaya Enterprises. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  13. ^ "ETV Bharat Info". www.etvbharat.com. Ushodaya Enterprises. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  14. ^ "Free Case Study | The Ramoji Group | Leadership Case Study | Case Studies | Case Study in Business, Management". Icmrindia.org. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
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