Veteran film director Veeramachaneni Madhusudhana Rao, also known as Victory Madhu, 88, passed away last night in Hyderabad after a prolonged illness.

Family members said Madhusudhana rao has been sick for the last ten years and breathed his last at his Journalists’ colony residence at Jubilee Hills. He is survived by two daughters.

Madhusudhana rao worked as assistant director under another veteran KS Prakasa rao for some years before he carved a niche for himself as a great director in the industry.

Aaradhana, Gudigantalu, Raktasmabhandam, Jamindar, Adrustavantulu, Prajanayakudu, Bhaka Tukaram, Iddaru Iddare, Jebu Donga, Ee Taram Mahnishi were some of the hit movies directed by him.

For the count, he directed a total of 72 movies out of which 60 turned out to be great hits. Akkineni Nagarjuna, Jagapathi Babu, Ramesh Babu and some other actors were introduced to the film industry by Madhusudhana Rao.

Madhusudhana rao launched his Madhu Film Institute in Hyderabad on Jan 26, 1983 and trained several actors.

A winner of the Raghupathi Venkaiah Award, Madhusudhana rao trained several of his assistants into successful directors. K. Raghavendra Rao, Kodandarami Reddy, Chandrasekhara rao, Ramchandra rao, KS Reddy and Murari were some of the great directors who took apprenticeship under him.

Several prominent film personalities including mega star Chiranjeevi expressed their sympathies to the bereaved family. (JUBS)