Hyderabad: Ramoji Film City Mishap Claims Vistex CEO’s Life, President Critical
Hyderabad, 20th January 2024: In a tragic turn of events, the founder and CEO of the US-based multinational software company, Vistex Asia-Pacific Private Ltd., Sanjay Shah, lost his life, and the company’s president, Vishwanath Raju Datla, sustained severe injuries during an incident at Ramoji Film City on Thursday night. The mishap unfolded during the silver jubilee celebrations of the esteemed company.
Sanjay Shah, a 56-year-old Illinois-based CEO, succumbed to his injuries in a local hospital, while Vishwanath Raju Datla is currently fighting for his life. Vistex had organized the celebrations spanning two days, with rooms booked at Ramoji for its staff. The ill-fated incident occurred during a planned descent onto the dais, marking the commencement of the jubilee festivities, as explained by a company official.
At approximately 7:40 pm, tragedy struck when the cage-like contraption, suspended by ropes and pulleys, collapsed. The sudden snap of one of the wires resulted in both Shah and Raju plummeting over 15 feet, landing on the concrete dais and sustaining multiple injuries, as reported by Sub-Inspector D Karunakar Reddy of Abdullapurmet police station.
During the descent, with music playing in the background, Sanjay Shah and Vishwanath Raju Datla were waving to their staff. They were swiftly rushed to a local hospital, later transferred to a corporate hospital due to deteriorating conditions. Sadly, Sanjay Shah’s life couldn’t be saved.
The cage, featuring iron wires on both sides, grills on three sides, and an entry point for guests, was being pulled by a rolling machine when the unfortunate incident occurred. A case has been registered under IPC sections 304A (causing death by a rash or negligent act) and 336 (endangering human life or personal safety of others).
The individuals booked in connection with the incident include the management of Ramoji Film City, its senior event manager, chief manager (security), the special effects contractor, and the rope operator. Sanjay Shah, originally from Mumbai, founded Vistex Inc. in 1999, specializing in revenue management solutions and services.
With nearly 1,600 employees and a turnover of around $300 million, Vistex Inc. boasts an impressive clientele that includes Coca Cola, GE, Dow, Dell, Siemens, Adobe, Kellogg’s, Abbott, Bayer, Yamaha, Sony, Nvidia, Kimberly Clark, HP, and Cisco, among others. The company operates globally with offices across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia, Australia, and Latin America, including a facility in Hyderabad. The incident has left the tech community in shock, mourning the loss of a visionary leader and praying for the swift recovery of the injured president.
