Launched in Rajahmundry in the year 2000, Swathimuthyam Cultural Organization has completed a remarkable 25-year journey. On this occasion, the organization has planned a heartfelt felicitation to honor distinguished senior film journalists, photo-journalists, and PROs who have rendered exceptional service to the Telugu film industry.
This special event will be held on Monday, the 28th of this month, at 10:00 AM, with the courtesy of the Gidugu Ramamurthy Panthulu Foundation. The venue will be the Telugu Film Producers Council Hall, located in the Film Chamber building, Filmnagar, Hyderabad.
Veteran film journalist, writer, and director Sri Prabhu will preside over the event. The ceremony will witness the esteemed presence of celebrated actor-producer and former Member of Parliament Maganti Murali Mohan, MLC Smt. Surabhi Vani Devi—daughter of former Prime Minister Late P.V. Narasimha Rao, Chairperson of the Gidugu Ramamurthy Panthulu Foundation Smt. Gidugu Kanthikrishna, Brahmashri L.V. Gangadhar Shastri, renowned producer and FNCC President Sri K.S. Rama Rao, noted filmmaker Sri Tammareddy Bharadwaja, Telugu Film Producers Council President and prominent producer Sri K.L. Damodar Prasad, General Secretary Sri Tummala Prasanna Kumar, former MLC and AICC member M. Sudhakar Babu, son of late producer D.V.S. Raju—Sri D.V.K. Raju, acclaimed filmmaker and creator of Kuchipudi Pulav Kuchipudi Venkat, and prominent lyricist Bhaskarabhatla as chief guests.
Sponsors of the event include Celsius Systems – Home Elevators since 2005, Producer Bazaar, Kuchipudi Pulav, Shero Home Foods, Swiss Castle, Makers of Milkshakes, and Cinetaria Media Works, as stated in an official announcement by Swathimuthyam founder and cultural activist Dheeraj Appaji.
About the event organizer Mr.Dheeraj Appaji :
Between 2000 and 2004, Appaji ran twin monthly magazines titled Swathimuthyam and Dheeraj in Rajahmundry. In 2003, he authored the book “Chukkallo Chandhurudu” on Nara Chandrababu Naidu. Following the Alipiri incident, the same book was re-published with minor changes under the title “Mrithyunjayudu – Reborn to Rule”, with five lakh copies distributed, creating sensation!!
Appaji organized various cultural events in Rajahmundry from 2000 to 2004, gaining recognition for programs such as Navvukundham Randi, Navvandi – Navvinchandi, and International Women’s Day Celebrations.
A gifted storyteller with a knack for documenting inspiring life stories, Appaji earned acclaim through cover stories on personalities like Gorantla Buchaiah Chowdary, Vanga Geetha, and Jakkampudi Vijayalakshmi.
Driven by his passion for cinema, Appaji moved to Hyderabad in 2004 and began his career in the Telugu film industry as a Cinema Reporter. He quickly rose to become an Editor, contributing to magazines such as Cine Star, Chitranjali, and Trade Guide. As a Senior Sub Editor, he also served as the in-charge of the cinema section at Surya daily newspaper. For five years, he successfully ran his own weekly film magazine Swathimuthyam” as Editor.
Post-COVID, he transitioned from print to digital media, running Swathimuthyam as a daily e-paper for the past four years and emerging as a trendsetter. Having worked as a PRO for over 200 films, Appaji also manages Teluguplex.com along with his NRI partner Kommidi Srinivas Reddy.
Over the past decade, he has received numerous prestigious awards and regularly offers film-related analyses on various satellite and YouTube channels.
