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{{Short description|Indian film producer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2019}} {{Use Indian English|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox person
| name = D. V. S. Raju
| image =
| imagesize =
| caption =
| birth_name = Datla Venkata Suryanarayana Raju
| birth_date = 13 December 1928
| birth_place = [[Allavaram]], East Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh, India
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|2010|11|13|1928|12|13}}
| death_place = [[Hyderabad, India|Hyderabad]], Andhra Pradesh, India
| occupation = Film producer
| spouse =
| father = [[Datla Balaramaraju|Datla Balarama Raju]]
| awards = [[Padma Shri]] (2001)<br>[[Raghupathi Venkaiah Award]] (1988)
}}
'''Datla Venkata Suryanarayana Raju''' (13 December 1928 – 13 November 2010), widely known as '''D. V. S. Raju''', was an Indian film producer known for his work in [[Telugu cinema]]. He is credited with playing a pivotal role in relocating the Telugu film industry from [[Chennai|Madras]] to Hyderabad.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=2010-11-14 |title=Noted film producer DVS Raju dies |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/noted-film-producer-dvs-raju-dies/articleshow/6921805.cms |access-date=2024-09-27 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> Over his career, he produced around 25 films, including successful Telugu productions such as ''[[Maa Babu]]'' (1960), [[Mangamma Sapatham (1965 film)|''Mangamma Sapadham'']] (1965), ''[[Pidugu Ramudu]]'' (1966), ''[[Tikka Sankarayya]]'' (1968), ''[[Gandikota Rahasyam]]'' (1969), and [[Jeevana Jyothi (1975 film)|''Jeevana Jyothi'']] (1975), as well as the Hindi film [[Mujhe Insaaf Chahiye|''Mujhe Insaaf Chaahiye'']] (1983).<ref name="hin2">{{cite news |date=14 November 2010 |title=Film producer D.V.S. Raju passes away |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/Film-producer-D.V.S.-Raju-passes-away/article15685650.ece |access-date=1 January 2019 |newspaper=The Hindu}}</ref>

Raju held several prominent leadership roles in the Indian film industry, including serving as the Honorary Secretary of the [[South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce]] in 1966 and as a jury member for the [[15th National Film Awards]]. From 1979 to 1980, he was the President of the [[Film Federation of India]].<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |title=Presidents of Film Federation Of India |url=https://filmfederation.in/president.html |access-date=2024-09-21 |website=Film Federation of India}}</ref> As Chairman of the [[National Film Development Corporation of India|National Film Development Corporation]] (NFDC), Raju was instrumental in co-funding the [[Academy Awards|Academy Award]]-winning film ''[[Gandhi (film)|Gandhi]]'' (1982). He also served as Chairman of the Andhra Pradesh State Film Development Corporation. In recognition of his contributions to Indian cinema, Raju was awarded the [[Raghupathi Venkaiah Award]] in 1988 and the [[Padma Shri]] in 2001.<ref name="hin2" />

==Early life==
Datla Venkata Suryanarayana Raju was born on 13 December 1928 to Datla Balarama Raju and Subhadrayamma in [[Allavaram]], [[East Godavari district]], [[Andhra Pradesh]] (now part of [[Konaseema district]]).<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=About DVS Raju |url=https://dvsraju.co.in/about-us.html |access-date=2024-09-22 |website=DVS Raju official website}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2010-11-14 |title=DVS Raju, father figure of films, passes away |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2010/Nov/14/dvs-raju-father-figure-of-films-passes-away-202719.html |access-date=2024-09-27 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> His father, [[Datla Balarama Raju]] served as a [[Member of parliament|Member of Parliament]] for the [[Narasapuram Lok Sabha constituency|Narasapuram]] constituency, representing the [[Lok Sabha]] for two consecutive terms from 1962 to 1971.<ref name=":3" />

== Career ==

=== Early career ===
After completing his degree in [[Kakinada]], Raju became a partner in Cine Litho Works, a company specializing in printing film posters. His management of the [[Chennai|Madras]] branch and innovations in the offset printing process helped him build connections in the film industry, particularly with [[N. T. Rama Rao]], through a mutual friend, [[T. V. Raju]].<ref name=":22">{{Cite web |date=2019-12-07 |title=ఎన్టీఆర్‌ పంతం... జమున శపథం! |url=http://www.sitara.net/animuthyalu/mangamma-sapatham-ntr-jamuna/9096 |access-date=2024-09-20 |website=సితార |publisher=[[Eenadu]] |language=te |archive-date=7 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191207182812/http://www.sitara.net/animuthyalu/mangamma-sapatham-ntr-jamuna/9096 |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref>

=== Partnership with NAT Films ===
Raju gained Rama Rao’s appreciation by producing high-quality posters for the latter's first home production ''[[Pichi Pullayya]]'' (1953). He later became a partner in NAT Films, the production company of Rama Rao and his brother [[N. Trivikrama Rao]]. As a financier, he supported the production of several successful films under NAT Films, including [[Thodu Dongalu (1954 film)|''Thodu Dongalu'']] (1954), [[Jayasimha (1955 film)|''Jayasimha'']] (1955), ''[[Panduranga Mahatyam]]'' (1957), and ''[[Gulebakavali Katha]]'' (1962).<ref name=":22" /><ref name=":0" />

=== Expanding into film production ===
While ''Panduranga Mahatyam'' was still under production, Raju ventured into dubbing films, working on the Telugu film ''[[Penki Pellam]]'' (1956), which he released in Tamil as ''Kanniyane Kadimai''. Following this, he co-produced the bilingual film ''[[Maa Babu]]'' (1960) under Pragati Art Productions. Directed by [[T. Prakash Rao|Tatineni Prakash Rao]], the film was based on the Hindi movie ''[[Chirag Kahan Roshni Kahan]]'' (1959) and starred [[Akkineni Nageswara Rao]] and [[Savitri (actress)|Savitri]] in lead roles.<ref name=":22" />

=== Founding D.V.S. Productions ===
In 1964, Raju founded his own production company, D.V.S. Productions. His first film under this banner was the folklore drama [[Mangamma Sapatham (1965 film)|''Mangamma Sapatham'']] (1965). This film, which featured Rama Rao in the roles of both father and son, became a commercial success, running for over 100 days in several centers. Raju's decision to produce a folklore film was inspired by the success of Rama Rao's earlier folklore movies and the popularity of the genre at the time. The film was directed by the renowned folklore filmmaker [[B. Vittalacharya]], and was based on the 1943 Tamil film [[Mangamma Sabatham (1943 film)|''Mangamma Sabatham'']].<ref name=":22" />

=== Notable films ===
Raju went on to produce around 25 films, including notable films such as ''[[Pidugu Ramudu]]'' (1966), ''[[Tikka Sankarayya]]'' (1968), ''[[Gandikota Rahasyam]]'' (1969), ''Chinnanaati Snehithulu'' (1971), [[Jeevana Jyothi (1975 film)|''Jeevana Jyothi'']] (1975), ''Jeevitha Nouka'' (1977) and ''[[Chanakya Sapatham]]'' (1986). He also produced the Hindi film [[Mujhe Insaaf Chahiye|''Mujhe Insaaf Chaahiye'']] (1983).<ref name="hin2" /><ref name=":22" />

''Jeevana Jyothi'' earned critical acclaim and won the state [[Nandi Awards|Nandi Award]]. His production ''Pidugu Ramudu'' and his other films with Rama Rao became key milestones in his career.<ref name="hin2" />

=== Leadership and industry contributions ===
Raju held several leadership roles in the film industry throughout his career. In 1966, he was elected as the Honorary Secretary of the South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce (SIFCC), and in 1967, he served as a Jury Member at the [[15th National Film Awards]].<ref name=":3" /> From 1979 to 1980, he was President of the [[Film Federation of India]]<ref name=":12" /> and later served as Chairman of the [[National Film Development Corporation of India]] (NFDC). During his time at NFDC, he helped co-fund [[Gandhi (film)|''Gandhi'']] (1982), which won eight [[Academy Awards]].''<ref name=":02">Wakeman, John. World Film Directors, Volume 2. The H. W. Wilson Company. 1988. 82.</ref>''<ref name=":0" /> Raju served as Chairman of the Andhra Pradesh State Film Development Corporation twice, in 1989 and again from 2002 to 2004. He played a key role in organizing the [[International Film Festival of India]] (Filmotsav) in [[Hyderabad]] in 1986, with the support of then-Chief Minister N. T. Rama Rao.<ref name=":3" /> During his tenure, he oversaw the construction of the Telugu Lalitha Kala Thoranam, completed in time for the festival.<ref name=":0" />

One of Raju’s most significant achievements was his role in relocating the Telugu film industry from Madras to Hyderabad.<ref name="hin2" /> His efforts, along with other industry stalwarts, were instrumental in establishing Hyderabad as the centre of Telugu cinema. He also founded the Film Nagar Cultural Centre (FNCC) in Hyderabad, which remains a key institution in the film community.<ref name=":3" />

== Personal life ==
D. V. S. Raju married Anasuya Devi in 1948, and they had three daughters and two sons.<ref name=":3" /> He died on 13 November 2010 at the age of 81 after a brief illness.<ref name=":1" /><ref name="hin2" />

D. V. S. Raju's son-in-law, K. L. N. Raju, ventured into film production with his debut as a producer in the 2018 film ''[[Anaganaga O Premakatha]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 November 2017 |title=D.V.S. Raju legacy continues |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/tollywood/271117/dvs-raju-legacy-continues.html |access-date=2024-09-27 |website=Deccan Chronicle |language=en}}</ref>

== Filmography ==
Source:<ref>{{Cite web |title=D. V. S. Raju Movies |url=https://dvsraju.co.in/movies.html |access-date=2024-09-27 |website=D. V. S. Raju official website}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
!Year
!Film
!Language
!Notes
|-
|1960
|''[[Maa Babu]]''
|Telugu
|
|-
|1961
|''Anbumagan''
|Tamil
|
|-
|1965
|''[[Mangamma Sapatham (1965 film)|Mangamma Sapatham]]''
|Telugu
|
|-
|1966
|''[[Pidugu Ramudu]]''
|Telugu
|
|-
|1968
|''[[Tikka Sankarayya]]''
|Telugu
|
|-
|1969
|''[[Gandikota Rahasyam]]''
|Telugu
|
|-
|1971
|[[Chinnanati Snehitulu|''Chinnanaati Snehithulu'']]
|Telugu
|
|-
|1973
|''[[Dhanama? Daivama?]]''
|Telugu
|
|-
|1975
|''[[Jeevana Jyothi (1975 film)|Jeevana Jyoti]]''
|Telugu
|[[Nandi Award for Best Feature Film]]
[[Filmfare Award for Best Film – Telugu]]
|-
|1975
|''Devudulanti Manishi''
|Telugu
|
|-
|1977
|''Jeevitha Nouka''
|Telugu
|
|-
|1978
|''[[Kalanthakulu]]''
|Telugu
|
|-
|1979
|''[[President Peramma]]''
|Telugu
|
|-
|1980
|''Alludu Pattina Bharatham''
|Telugu
|
|-
|1981
|''Pralaya Geetham''
|Telugu
|
|-
|1983
|''[[Mujhe Insaaf Chahiye]]''
|Hindi
|
|-
|1984
|''Marchandi Mana Chattalu''
|Telugu
|
|-
|1986
|''[[Chanakya Sapatham]]''
|Telugu
|
|-
|1986
|''Jayam Manade''
|Telugu
|
|-
|1987
|''Bhanumathi gari Mogudu''
|Telugu
|
|-
|1990
|''Doshi Nirdoshi''
|Telugu
|
|-
|1992
|''Champion''
|Telugu
|
|-
|1993
|''Rajadhani''
|Telugu
|
|-
|}

==Awards==

* [[Filmfare Award for Best Film - Telugu]] - [[Jeevana Jyothi (1975 film)|''Jeevana Jyothi'']] (1975)
* [[Nandi Award for Best Feature Film|Nandi Award for Best Feature Film - Gold]] - ''Jeevana Jyothi'' (1975)<ref>{{Cite web |title=నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964–2008) |trans-title=A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964–2008) |url=http://ipr.ap.nic.in/New_Links/Film.pdf |access-date=21 August 2020 |publisher=[[Andhra Pradesh (magazine)|Information & Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh]]}}(in [[Telugu language|Telugu]])</ref>
* [[Raghupathi Venkaiah Award]] by Andhra Pradesh Government in 1988
* [[Padma Shri]] award by Government of India in 2001
* Bhishma Award

==See also==

* [[Raghupathi Venkaiah Award]]

==References==
<references responsive="1"></references>

==External links==

* {{IMDb name|0196010}}
{{Padma Shri Award Recipients in Art}}{{Raghupathi Venkaiah Award Recipients}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Raju, D. V. S.}}
[[Category:1928 births]]
[[Category:2010 deaths]]
[[Category:Nandi Award winners]]
[[Category:Filmfare Awards South winners]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Shri in arts]]
[[Category:Telugu film producers]]
[[Category:Tamil film producers]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian businesspeople]]
[[Category:Film people from East Godavari district]]
[[Category:Film producers from Andhra Pradesh]]

D. V. S. Raju - Revision history

AhmedSturgis at 17:16, 17 July 2025