Directors Day celebrations turned grand in Hyderabad as film personalities paid tribute to legendary filmmaker Dasari Narayana Rao, while Mohan Babu announced a ₹15 lakh donation to TFDA.
The Telugu Film Directors Association (TFDA) celebrated Directors Day on May 4 in a grand manner to mark the birth anniversary of legendary filmmaker Dasari Narayana Rao. Organized under the banner of Kalayika Foundation, the event witnessed the participation of several renowned personalities from the Indian film industry. Eminent directors from multiple languages were honored during the celebrations, making the event one of the biggest gatherings for filmmakers in recent times. Actor Mohan Babu made headlines at the event by announcing a donation of ₹15 lakh to TFDA, expressing his deep respect and admiration for Dasari Narayana Rao.
Speaking at the event, Mohan Babu emotionally remembered Dasari Narayana Rao as a father figure who transformed his life and career. He praised the organizers for conducting the event magnificently and said Dasari garu truly defined the meaning of a director in Indian cinema. Actress Jaya Prada recalled how Dasari garu taught actors the basics of performance and gave many artists unforgettable opportunities. Actress Jayasudha stated that she still feels the absence of her mentor and called the recognition at Directors Day more valuable than any other award. Hindi filmmaker R. Balki appreciated Tollywood’s growing influence in Indian cinema and praised the Telugu film industry for organizing such inspiring celebrations.
Several directors and industry veterans including S. V. Krishna Reddy, Veera Shankar, N. Shankar, R. Narayana Murthy, Tammareddy Bharadwaj, and Babu Mohan shared memories of Dasari Narayana Rao and highlighted his unmatched contribution to cinema and society. Speakers emphasized that no other film industry celebrates directors in such a unique way and credited Dasari garu for inspiring generations of filmmakers and artists. The event concluded with heartfelt tributes, appreciation for TFDA’s efforts, and a strong message to continue celebrating the legacy of directors in Indian cinema for years to come.
