Kanuri Damodara Prasad, son of renowned producer and businessman Ranjith Kumar, stepped into the world of responsibility far earlier than most. After losing his father at the tender age of 17, Damodara Prasad didn’t crumble. Instead, he faced life head-on, launching his own business ventures and secretly financing films while building powerful contacts across the Old City of Hyderabad to Mumbai and beyond.
By the age of 21, he had already earned a reputation for being mature, bold and determined—qualities that would later define his journey in the film industry. Operating behind the scenes in those early years, he was known for making daring settlements and deals that gave him a unique standing in the industry.
But it was in 2011 that he truly came into the limelight. Damodara Prasad revived his father’s iconic production banner, Ranjith Movies, with the hit film Ala Modalaindi, starring Nani and directed by Nandini Reddy. The film’s success marked a new chapter not only for the banner but also for Telugu cinema, introducing a new wave of refreshing storytelling.
Since then, Damodara Prasad has followed in his father’s footsteps as a producer, backing several notable films and contributing significantly to the industry’s growth. Like his father before him, he is also actively involved in shaping the future of Telugu cinema through his roles in the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce and the Producers Council.
In an exclusive conversation with The Pioneer’s Suresh Kavirayani, Damodara Prasad opens up about his journey—from personal loss and secret deals to becoming a respected industry leader carrying forward a legacy with pride and passion.
Chennai Boy’s Route to Reel Dream
Born and raised in Chennai, I come from a Telugu-speaking family—my parents, Ranjith Kumar and Prema Ranjith, hail from Krishna district and nearby villages. My father was well-educated and my mother also completed her graduation. I studied at Padma Seshadri School, T. Nagar branch, until Class 6. As the Telugu film industry began shifting from Chennai to Hyderabad, my father moved there to continue his work. I was a calm and focused student, known for being good with academics and making friends easily. Some of my close friends included Allari Ravi Babu, my cousin Nani, Chandra, and many others. In 1978, I moved to Hyderabad and joined Little Flower School in Abids for Class 7 onwards. I pursued my Intermediate studies at Pragathi Vidyalaya College in Kapadia Lane, Sultan Bazar. However, due to my large circle of friends, my parents decided to shift me to Alphonso Junior College in Ameerpet for my second year.
Dad crafting classics
My parents came from a wealthy agricultural background, and my father, Ranjith Kumar, went on to become a stalwart in the Telugu Film Industry. He established his own production house, Ranjith Movies, and produced a number of acclaimed films. Highly respected in the industry, he served in several film bodies, including the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce, and played a key role in the Film Nagar Housing Society. His filmography included not just commercial hits, but also thought-provoking cinema, with some films even winning State-sponsored Nandi Awards. He collaborated with legendary actors like NTR, Krishna, and Narayana Rao, and worked with iconic directors such as K. Balachander.
Dad Walking Through His Last Moments
I still vividly remember the day he gave a party at a hotel in Abids one afternoon. Soon after, he began feeling uneasy and was taken to Hyderabad Nursing Home in Abids. Despite being unwell, he chose to walk up the ramp instead of taking the lift. Our family doctor—and relative—Dr. P.S. Rao attended to him.
Lost my father when I was 17
I still remember the day my father was admitted to Hyderabad Nursing Home and later transferred to St. Teresa Hospital. The doctors diagnosed him with a heart attack and began treatment. The following evening, he wanted to see the kids, so I went to the hospital with my mother. The staff led me inside, and there he was, lying in bed. He looked at me and, with a bit of emotion, said, “You are the eldest, and you have to take care of your mother and brothers.” His words lingered with me as his blood pressure fluctuated, so I stepped outside. My mother stayed at the hospital, so I went to my uncle’s house in Banjara Hills. The year 1984 was a major turning point in my life, following the sudden demise of my father. At the time, he had suffered a heart attack, and doctors advised an immediate pacemaker surgery. The pacemaker was being flown in from Mumbai. Although the flight landed at Begumpet Airport, it took nearly half an hour to reach the hospital. Tragically, before the device arrived, my father passed away. The next afternoon, around 3:30 PM, a car came to pick me up and take me home. My grandfather had bought a palace in 1960 from an Englishman who had worked with the Nizam, and we lived there. As I walked through the 40 steps and into the large hall, I saw my father’s body. I was just 17, and I couldn’t fully comprehend what was happening. My mother was crying, and I could hear people talking about my father, but I didn’t cry at that moment. That night, alone in my room, I recollected everything about him and finally broke down. At that age, it takes time to fully register such a loss. Many of my college friends, relatives, and industry people came to pay their respects.
Young son’s early responsibility
After my father passed away, I couldn’t forget the words he spoke to me at the hospital. I don’t know how, but the responsibility of everything seemed to fall on me automatically. I was studying Intermediate first year at the time and had many friends. My mother and grandparents didn’t want me to take on my father’s legacy as a producer because they believed it had not been successful. My father passed away on June 11, 1984, at the age of 46. My mother was a housewife, and being the eldest son, I naturally felt the weight of responsibility. After the 11th day of mourning, some people came forward claiming that my father had debts with them. There were others who were supposed to pay him money, and my father had maintained a dairy where he had noted down everything—who had borrowed money from him and whom he owed money to. However, there were also people whose names didn’t appear in the diary, and they came to our house asking for money. We couldn’t be sure if my father had really borrowed from them. With my grandparents by my side, we managed to settle everything. My father was a very liberal man and never once pressured me about my studies. On the other hand, my mother was quite strict and would get serious with us if we didn’t study well. But my father would always tell her not to scold us, as he didn’t want to force anything on us.
Started business at young age
After completing my Intermediate, I joined Badruka College to pursue my degree. If my father had been alive, he would have wanted me to study at a Sainik School, but after his passing, my studies took a downward turn. During my first year of B.Com, I failed almost all of my subjects. The owners of Badruka College were family friends, and I had some batchmates from influential families, including the grandson of Pragathi College’s owner and the son of DGP Nair. I am still in touch with many of these friends. Despite the struggles in my studies, I ventured into business. I started a screen printing and advertising company called Cinema Ads, and both businesses were doing well. While studying, I managed my businesses, and I also listened to discussions at home when people came to settle debts with my family. These experiences left a lasting impact on me.
Financing Films in Secret
Since my mother and grandparents didn’t want me to enter the film industry, I decided to secretly finance several films. My name was never associated with these projects, but I provided the necessary financial support and formed secret partnerships with many filmmakers. I managed these affairs discreetly and efficiently. My mother insisted that I complete my degree, so I rented a room on Kapadia Lane with four of my friends. I attended tuition and completed my degree with first-class honors. While continuing to finance films, I built a vast network of contacts. I also helped with financial settlements, and through all these activities, I gained numerous connections from all walks of life.
Showdown with P. Janardhan Reddy
My mother’s cousins ran Hotel Sarovar in Abids at that time, and my mother suggested that I join them. I became involved in the hotel business and started a new bar and kitchen called Manasa Sarovar. I frequently traveled to Mumbai to bring liquor for the bar, and the business thrived. I was in this business until 1991. At a young age, I was overseeing the hotel operations. Khairatabad MLA P. Janardhan Reddy, who had control over many top hotels and maintained a strong union with hotel staff, came to my hotel to initiate a union with my staff. I refused to allow him inside, and when he tried to enter with his men, a confrontation broke out. We eventually closed the hotel in 1991, but the issue with Janardhan Reddy had started a year before that. Our rivalry escalated, and I decided to visit him at his residence in Domalguda. He greeted me with tea, and I made him a proposal: I offered to let him run my hotel business for one year and keep all the profits, hoping to show him the challenges of running a hotel. He didn’t respond, but I made my offer and left. The hotel was eventually closed in 1991.
When NTR garu Stayed at Our Hotel
My family members were running a hotel named Apsara in Visakhapatnam. In 1991, due to some mismanagement, my uncle requested me to come and take charge of the operations. I moved to Vizag in November that year. It was a peaceful place, and I had many friends there. Within four months, I managed to bring the hotel and its staff under proper control. Hotel Apsara was well-known in the region, and many film stars used to stay there. Even N. T. Rama Rao garu, the legendary actor and politician, stayed at our hotel during his visits. He had a powerful presence. He would wake up at 3:30 in the morning and personally call me for any arrangements. I made sure everything he needed was taken care of. He visited our hotel twice while I was managing it, and I had the privilege of assisting him both times.
NTR’s Fairness Left a Lasting Impression
One memorable incident occurred in 1995, when N. T. Rama Rao garu was serving as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. He was staying at our Apsara Hotel in Visakhapatnam. While coming down in the elevator with his security personnel, the lift got stuck midway due to overcapacity. Its limit was ten people, but many more had entered alongside him. His security team immediately began shouting at me, blaming the hotel for the malfunction. I remained calm and didn’t respond. A technician was called, and within minutes, the issue was resolved and we exited the lift safely. To my surprise, NTR garu reprimanded his own security team. He firmly told them, “Only a few people should accompany me in the lift. The rest can use the stairs.” He clearly understood it wasn’t the hotel’s fault but an error in judgment by his team. That moment revealed his fairness, leadership, and humility. He knew my father well, and that mutual respect carried over. I continued managing the hotel until 1995.
First Official Film as Producer
As I mentioned earlier, I had secretly financed many films because my family was against my involvement in the film industry. But officially, I stepped into production with the film Ala Modalaindi, which released on January 21, 2011. Before taking that step, I had to convince my mother, grandparents, and other family members. Although they initially disapproved, they eventually agreed to support my decision. From 2007, I began listening to scripts, and during that time, Nandini Reddy approached me with a story that immediately struck a chord. I liked it and decided to back the project. We began filming in 2009, with Nani as the lead actor and Nithya Menen making her Telugu debut. The project took a while to complete due to long breaks between schedules, but we finally released it in early 2011. The film turned out to be a success, and that marked the beginning of my journey as a producer in the Telugu film industry.
Love Marriage That Led to a Career Shift
Mine is a love marriage. I met my wife in Visakhapatnam—she’s originally from Chennai. Our wedding was a memorable event, attended by prominent personalities like Chandrababu Naidu, N. Janardhan Reddy, and several others. After marriage, I ventured into the clothing business, which I ran for a few years. However, I realized it wasn’t something I enjoyed. In 2007, I decided to close that chapter and finally pursue my true passion—film production.
Devoted Reader of Devotion
I’ve always been an avid reader. As a child, I devoured English books—especially The Hardy Boys, comics, and various fiction titles. Though I took a break from reading for some time, I resumed in 2014, shifting my focus toward spiritual literature. Since then, I’ve read extensively on topics like meditation and spirituality. I enjoy Sadhguru’s teachings and have read many of his books. One that stood out to me is Death: An Inside Story. Alongside this, I’ve been exploring religious texts like the Bhagavad Gita, Bible, and Quran. I also have a deep interest in Indian history and culture—recently, I finished a book on King Krishnadevaraya. Human psychology fascinates me as well, so I read in that area too. My reading today is a blend of devotion, history, and introspection.
Still here because of my family
Looking back, I owe my strength and survival to my mother, my cousins, and close friends who stood by me through every moment of sorrow and joy. I am still here because of their unwavering support.
Dad’s wise words
My father once told me something that has stayed with me forever: “It’s easy to enter the film industry, but it’s very difficult to exit at the right time.” He also said, “Cinema is an art. Respect the art first, then do business. The money will follow.” Sadly, that philosophy is being lost today. Now, many treat cinema purely as a business, ignoring the creative soul of it.
Changing dynamics of cinema
Earlier, the face of the industry was defined by veteran producers—those who ran film bodies and liaised with the government. Today, actors and directors have taken center stage, while mediators have become powerful players between producers and directors. Inexperienced individuals, including many NRIs, have entered the industry, investing large sums without truly understanding cinema. When their investments failed, some approached the Film Chamber for help. That’s why I started conducting monthly sessions at the Chamber building—to guide and create awareness among new producers about the realities of filmmaking.
