From Chiranjeevi to Vishnu Manchu to Sai Dharam Tej, Telugu film industry mourns editor Goutham Raju's death

The industry hails him as the unsung hero who was responsible for key creative decisions behind the biggest blockbusters in Telugu cinema

Goutham Raju

It's on the editing table that a film can be remade, fall apart or be salvaged. An editor is often the first viewer of a film and it is through his eyes that we get to see a narrative shape up. And yet an editor remains extremely underpaid and his role is conveniently brushed aside in Indian cinema. When a film proves successful,the entire credit is passed onto the actors. Making a name for oneself as a technician in a star-struck industry is next to impossible, but ace editor Goutham Raju proved otherwise.

Goutham Raju, who passed away at 68 due to kidney related ailments today, had a terrific career across Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada languages in over 800 films and never had to look back post the success of his first release Nalugu Sthambhalata. As a technician, he was quick to adapt to the times, changing tastes of audiences, understood the temperaments of his fraternity and maintained a healthy association with the biggest production houses in Telugu cinema all through his career.

Several actors, directors and producers conveyed their condolonces to Goutham Raju's family after his demise. While actor Rahul Vijay stated he would always be remembered through the passion in his work, actor Manchu Manoj conveyed that he was heartbroken on hearing the news and prayed for the strength of his loved ones. Actors Varun Sandesh, Lakshmi Manchu, producer Bandla Ganesh, directors Gopichandh Malineni, Radha Krishna Kumar, production houses including Sridevi Movies, Suresh Productions mourned his death as well.

In a heartfelt message, Sai Dharam Tej shared that he worked closely with Goutham Raju during the initial days of his career and called him a man of great work and character. Vishnu Manchu too concurred and said he had learnt immensely from the technician from childhood and was a crucial figure behind many Telugu blockbusters. Chiranjeevi said it was saddening to listen to the demise of an editor who'd worked on many films in his career from Chattaniki Kallu Levu to Khaidi No. 150.

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