Telugu filmmaker Vidya Sagar Reddy passes away at 70

Veteran Telugu filmmaker Vidya Sagar Reddy, popularly known as Sagar, passed away in the early hours of Thursday, January 2. He was aged 70.

He breathed his last at his Chennai residence after a prolonged illness, according to reports. His funeral rites will be performed in Chennai today evening.

Born in 1952 in Guntur, Sagar started his career as an assistant director and editor. He turned independent filmmaker with Naresh and Vijayashanti’s ‘Raakasi Loya’ in 1983.

‘Stuvartupuram Dongalu’ gave a big break for him in the Telugu film industry. Some of his notable works include ‘Amma Donga’, ‘Khaidi Brothers’, ‘Stuwartpuram Dongalu’, ‘Rama Sakkanodu’, ‘Action no.1’, ‘Anveshana’, ‘Oosi Naa Maradala’ and ‘Daaku’. ‘Khaidi Brothers’ (2002) remains his last directorial movie.

Vidya Sagar Reddy, who made over 40 films, won three Nandi Awards. He had also served as the President of the Telugu Film Directors Association, thrice.

He was often remembered for finding talented writers and aspiring directors. Notably, filmmakers like VV Vinayak, Sreenu Vaitla, Ravi Kumar Chowdary and G Nageswara Reddy had worked under him before becoming independent directors themselves.

It is extremely painful to know that my guru Sagar garu is no more. He took care of all his assistants very affectionately and taught many valuable things. He was a great support for all of us.
You will be remembered forever sir
Om Shanthi..🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/gNy4S3yINT

— Sreenu Vaitla (@SreenuVaitla) February 2, 2023

Filmmaker, Sreenu Vaitla, expressed his condolence on Twitter and said that the deceased used to take care of his assistants well. 

“It is extremely painful to know that my guru Sagar garu is no more. He took care of all his assistants very affectionately and taught many valuable things. He was a great support for all of us. You will be remembered forever sir. Om Shanthi,” he wrote on Twitter.

Many fans are paying their condolence on social media sites. 

Of late, Sagar was giving a series of interviews on YouTube channels where he recalled about his journey in the film industry. He shared his experiences of working with top actors that include Soundarya, Nagama and Indraja.