Acclaimed Telugu film producer and distributor V Doraswamy Raju passed away on Monday morning in Hyderabad due to a cardiac arrest. Reports state the popular producer had been admitted to a private hospital after experiencing uneasiness. His funeral will be held today at his Hyderabad residence, with the news of his demise coming as a big shock to the Telugu film fraternity. Doraswamy Raju went on to make several memorable Telugu films during his illustrious career from the mid-1980s. 

Known notably for producing popular Telugu films such as Akkineni Nageswara Rao's Seetharamayya Gari Manavaralu, including his son Akkineni Nagarjuna's Kirai Dada and President Gari Pellam, followed by Madhavayya Gari Manavadu, the biographical film Annamayya and the Jr NTR starrer Simhadri directed by Baahubali fame S. S. Rajamouli, V Doraswamy Raju owned VMC Productions, VMC Pictures, VMC films, VMC1 Company, VMC film Distributor and VMC Picture Palace. The late producer-distributor's last big film was the Taraka Ratna and Shweta Basu Prasad starrer Vijeta directed by Uday Bhaskar.

Soon after news broke out that V Doraswamy Raju had passed away, condolences began pouring in for the reputed producer, who played an instrumental role in bringing recognition to the Telugu film industry. Veteran director K Raghavendra Rao posted a video remembering Doraswamy Raju on Twitter. Likewise, 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!" RRR director S. S. Rajamouli expressed his condolences on Twitter saying, "As a distributor Doraswami Raju garu released an incredible 1000+ movies. He also produced some of the great telugu movies ever. Seetha Ramayya gari Manavaraalu, Annamayya are few of the gems from his VMC banner. I am fortunate to be associated with him for my career changing Simhadri... My heartfelt condolences to his family." Telugu superstar Jr. NTR and screenwriter Gopi Mohan too paid their respects on their Twitter pages. Blockbuster South Indian producer AM Rathnam expressed anguish after hearing news of Doraswamy's death and tweeted his condolences via his Mega Surya Productions Twitter page. He wrote, "Doraswamy Raju garu did a lot to help many producers as a distributor and produced memorable films too. It is a great loss to the telugu film Industry. My condolences to his family & friends!"