Veteran C.P. Berar exhibitor and old-time distributor Vijay Rathi passed away today (20th February) in Amravati. He was 73 and is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter.
Vijay Rathi fell ill a few days back. He was first detected with mild pneumonia which aggravated with every passing day. Soon, his kidneys got affected. Even before further treatment could be started, he breathed his last this afternoon.
Vijay had instructed his family to not have any funeral for him and to donate his body for medical research. The family donated his body today itself.
Vijay Rathi had served as the vice president of the Central Circuit Cine Association (CCCA) for several years. He was an important part of the famous Rathi group of exhibitors. He owned and controlled Prabhat Cinema in Raipur. He also ran a printing press — Shiv Press — which specialised in printing cinema tickets, DCRs, etc.