"A Father Figure and a Visionary": Mohan Babu Pledges ₹15 Lakh to TFDA as Tollywood Celebrates Director’s Day
In a grand tribute to the legendary Dasari Narayana Rao, the Telugu Film Directors Association (TFDA) celebrated May 4 as Directors Day at an event filled with nostalgia and industry stalwarts. Organized by the Kalayika Foundation, the ceremony honored the unparalleled legacy of the "Darsakaratna" on his birth anniversary, bringing together icons from various film industries.
The highlight of the evening was a significant philanthropic gesture by "Collection King" Mohan Babu, who announced a donation of ₹15 lakh to the TFDA to support the welfare of directors.
Mohan Babu’s Heartfelt Homage
Mohan Babu delivered an emotional speech, crediting his entire career to Dasari Narayana Rao.
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The Connection: "He was a father figure who transformed a common man into Mohan Babu. He defined the true essence of a director," he remarked.
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The Legacy: He noted that his university already awards gold medals in his sister’s name and has constructed an auditorium dedicated to Dasari. His latest contribution aims to further the TFDA's mission in honoring the craft of filmmaking.
Icons Share Their Memories
The event saw legendary actresses Jaya Prada and Jayasudha reminiscing about their early days under Dasari's tutelage.
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Jaya Prada: She expressed her gratitude to the late director for teaching her the basics of acting and casting her in iconic roles alongside Jayasudha.
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Jayasudha: "I stand here today only because of my guru," she said, describing the event as a "Creators’ Feast" that honors the very heartbeat of cinema.
National Recognition and Industry Unity
Acclaimed Hindi filmmaker R. Balki, who was honored at the event, noted that Tollywood has become the undeniable center of Indian cinema. He praised the Telugu audience's passion and expressed his admiration for veterans like Singeetham Srinivasa Rao.
The leadership of TFDA, including V.N. Aditya, N. Shankar, and Veera Shankar, were lauded for their meticulous organization. Veteran filmmaker Tammareddy Bharadwaj reminded the audience of Dasari's staggering achievements: directing over 150 films, writing 250+ scripts, and his significant contributions to social service and labor welfare.
Voices from the Fraternity
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R. Narayana Murthy: Compared the celebration to Teacher's Day, emphasizing that Dasari was the ultimate educator for the industry.
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Babu Mohan & S.V. Krishna Reddy: Highlighted the prestigious nature of the gathering and the "parental" care Dasari showed to his artists.
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Chadalavada Srinivasa Rao: Encouraged Telugu directors to continue striving for global recognition, noting their power to shape icons and society.
