Manoj Manchu Pays Tribute to Dasari Narayana Rao After Personally Leading Restoration of Memorial Site
Actor 'RawKing' Manoj Manchu, accompanied by Mounika Bhuma Manchu, paid homage to legendary filmmaker Dasari Narayana Rao on Saturday evening after overseeing restoration and cleaning work at his memorial site earlier in the day.
The initiative began after Manoj came across a video circulating on social media that showed the memorial in a neglected condition. Disturbed by what he saw, he immediately responded online, expressing his concern and assuring that steps would be taken to restore the site with the dignity befitting one of Telugu cinema's greatest visionaries.
Keeping his promise, Manoj arrived at the memorial early in the morning with his team before heading to a film shoot. Throughout the day, workers carried out extensive cleaning activities, removing dried leaves, debris, and other accumulated waste from the premises. By evening, after the restoration work was completed, Manoj returned to the site with Mounika to offer floral tributes and remember the legendary filmmaker.
Speaking to the media, Manoj shared that Dasari Narayana Rao garu had recently been on his mind after he passed by the filmmaker's statue in Chitrapuri Colony. He had also interacted with members of Dasari's family in recent days. When the video of the memorial reached him, he felt an immediate responsibility to act.
Recalling his long association with Dasari garu, Manoj described him as a towering figure who mastered every aspect of filmmaking and inspired generations of cinema professionals. He said that, along with his father, Dasari garu played a significant role in shaping his understanding and love for cinema. Manoj fondly remembered learning valuable lessons from the veteran filmmaker during his formative years.
He further praised Dasari Narayana Rao's remarkable contribution to Indian cinema, noting that his films continue to resonate with audiences even today. Manoj highlighted Osey Ramulamma as a landmark example of Dasari garu's progressive vision, pointing out how the filmmaker successfully built a major commercial film around a female protagonist long before such narratives became common. He also acknowledged Dasari's efforts in supporting producers, distributors, and thousands of workers within the film industry.
Manoj made it clear that no individual should be blamed for the condition of the memorial. He emphasized that members of Dasari's family, including Dasari Arun Kumar, regularly conduct commemorative activities and were already preparing for upcoming remembrance programs. According to him, the situation was simply an unfortunate lapse that required collective attention. He thanked everyone who brought the matter to light and expressed gratitude to MLA Kale Yadaiah and others who supported the restoration work.
Mounika Bhuma Manchu also paid her respects and spoke about Dasari Narayana Rao's enduring legacy. She described him as a filmmaker whose influence extended far beyond cinema through his commitment to social causes and meaningful storytelling. According to her, many of his films gave voice to marginalized communities and addressed important social issues.
Reflecting on the overwhelming public response that encouraged Manoj to visit the memorial, Mounika said it felt as though Dasari garu himself had called upon them to undertake this service. She added that Manoj has always remembered and honored the legendary filmmaker during key milestones in his life and credited Dasari's influence on many of Manoj's creative pursuits, including writing, editing, filmmaking, and action design. She concluded by offering prayers for his eternal peace.
The tribute also reflects the values of AIKYA DHAIRYA SENA SAMITHI, the social service movement recently launched by Manoj and Mounika Bhuma Manchu under the motto Unity, Courage, Service, Impact. Through this gesture, they reinforced the belief that service is not limited to humanitarian work aloneit also includes preserving legacies, honoring icons, and ensuring that future generations continue to remember the contributions of those who shaped Telugu cinema.
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