The Telugu film industry still draws its breath from the creative foundations laid by its ultimate patriarch, Dasari Narayana Rao. His visionary storytelling and larger-than-life leadership inspired generations of directors and actors. Yet, a recent glimpse of his final resting place told a story of neglect.
The catalyst for change was a heartbreaking video shared online by journalist and anchor Gautami. The clip brought out the forgotten state of the legendary filmmaker's memorial ghat. Struck by the images, Manoj Manchu took to social media on Friday night to express his sorrow. He noted how deeply painful it was to see such a towering figure's legacy left in that condition.
Action over words at Chitrapuri Colony
The Mirai actor translated that online distress into immediate action by the very next morning. Today, he and his team arrived at the site with brooms and cleaning supplies. They cleared away mounds of dried leaves, dust, and accumulated debris. Manoj admitted it had been a few years since his last visit. He explained that seeing the statue near Chitrapuri Colony in Hyderabad usually reminded him of the area, but Gautami's video finally pushed him to act. "He simply could not shake the image from his mind," a source says.
Social movement targets heritage and humanity
Aikya Dhairya Sena Samithi, started recently by Manoj and his wife, is the new social welfare initiative. The group focuses on unity, courage, and impactful community service. Manoj has been increasingly active in turning public grievances into hands-on charity work. His recent efforts include blood drives and rescuing a distressed man at the MatruDevobhava Anadha Ashramam.
Manoj's upcoming projects
Manoj is currently balancing his social outreach with his film career. His large-scale action film David Reddy is progressing quickly. Nearly 40% of the shooting for that project is now complete.
Meanwhile, his next investigative crime thriller Rakshak is gearing up for a grand launch. Vaddi Kaasulavada is also among his upcoming movies. "I have always wanted to come up with something rooted in the common man’s everyday financial struggles, and the moment this script came to me, everything aligned and it instantly felt special," he wrote recently, announcing the project. He continues to focus on his physical transformation alongside his upcoming slate of production commitments. He recently launched a music company named Mohana Ranga Music.
