Though a confirmed atheist, Ramoji Rao raised eyebrows when he made his presence prominently felt at KCR's Chandi Yagam.
He stood by KCR’s side and even made offerings at the homam on the very first day. This was a rare thing coming as it is from someone who shunned astrology column in Eenadu for decades.
But, it now turns out that Ramoji’s biz interests brought him closer to KCR. Ramoji wants 505 acres for his upcoming magnum opus Om City, which will showcase 108 prominent pilgrimage centres in the country.
He wants the land in Abdullapur, Koheda and Surmaiguda villages in Hayatnagar mandal close to his dream project Ramoji Film City.
What more, he wants the government to negotiate with private pattadars to ensure that he gets the land in a single chunk.
He even met KCR in April and presented his proposals. KCR, who once said he would take back all the 2000 acres of Ramoji Film City as it was built on assigned lands, readily agreed to help. He even met PM Modi and made a presentation to him on Om City.
So Ramoji’s readiness to have astrology column in Eenadu and transition from Antarveekshanam (science column on the Edit page) to Antaryami (spiritual column in the same place) have a biz angle to it.
His presence at KCR’s homam too has more biz dimension than spiritual.
