Ramoji Rao is the lord of whatever he surveys from his home perched atop a hill in his fabulous film city. He has turned 80 but he seems still endowed with the stamina of a young man whose mind is verdant with new exciting creative ideas. His penchant for pushing the envelope has not ebbed a bit. Though a teetotaller, his mind brews the most intoxicating and alluring landscape of vision. And, lo and behold, he is again in the works.
Talking to The Pioneer, he unveiled his roadmap for turning his already nonpareil facility under the sun into a microcosm of sorts. OM- Spiritual city is one helluva of a project under which exact replicas of all holiest temples of India, numbering 108, would be congregated within one precinct near Hyderabad as an extension to the film city. He said that this would also be only one of its kinds with world class infrastructure and amenities. A tall, towering statue of lord Hanuman would be installed with memorabilia and 3D shows relating to lord Hanuman. The spiritual city would have Kalyan Mandapa for rituals, Auditoria for spiritual gurus' preaching and lectures, Marriage Halls for seeming they are being made in heaven, hospitality district, Divine Memorabilia, helipad et al.
Other new equally irresistible projects lined up along his roadmap include Hamara Bharat, Ramoji International Convention Centre, Ramoji Daredevils, Aerospace park, to name but a few. He is through a meeting spree of late with best of experts in the world to translate these projects into a reality.
In the meantime, his 'Bahubali' and 'Dirty Picture' fame Ramoji Rao film city straddles across the global scene like a colossus as duly evidenced by Guinness Book of Records.
It has gone through a paradigm shift with time and the sprawling facility now has become a film shoot and fun centre rolled into one. The infrastructure for fun and adventure created inside are attracting people from all corners of the country. The magic and memories of scores of blockbuster films created there permeate through the air and act as icing on the cake for the fun seekers.
Actors and actresses, who often saunter in your dreams, may not be seen walking beside you but memories of them lingers in the air and invariably mix with your fun and adventure. You are staying in the same room of the hotel there where Vidya Balan occupied through the shooting of Dirty Picture or having your fill on the same table, say Kajol or may be Karina or Katrina had eaten once upon a time or other such thoughts or hearsays keep triggering fantasies of the tourists on end.
Crowds are descending upon the film city these days to partake of the Summer Carnival going on now. The shooting of the popular serial Siya Ke Ram is also going on sidelines without any hindrance from the crowd. Vishwambara Rao, Vice President, Publicity, says- It is not a place for film shooting alone, it has morphed into a dream holiday resort with all the facilities at your beck and call. Every year, about 15 lakh footfalls are happening for savoring fun and adventure. People come here for marriage in customized ambience and corporate world for meeting and team building. Here is the biggest adventure park of Asia named 'Sahas' that beacons youths in great number for the thrill.
As for infrastructure for movie making, Vishwambara Rao says- you come here just with script and money to splurge and go back with CD of your movie. The film maker does not have to move out anywhere for anything. Ramoji film city is an oyster. He will have all kinds of locations, sets and film accessories just for asking. Ambience of any hill station in India is assembled as he wishes. Façade of Paris, New York, Hollywood and what not, you name it and have it.
And the man who created this dreamy locale, himself is a perennial dreamer. Despite being 80, age cannot wither nor custom stale him. Make no mistake. He is not a health freak. By his own admission, he is workaholic. Ramoji says- This mindfulness keeps me in fine fettle. Though I do Yoga and meditation but dieting is not my cup of tea. I love food.