Telugu media mogul Ramoji Rao, who visited Mumbai last week as chief guest for the V Shantaram Awards ceremony, made it a point to visit political bigwigs in Maharashtra.

The media baron attended the ceremony organised by the V Shantaram Foundation on 18 November, and later called on chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray. Although the official word was that the visits were mere courtesy calls, industry sources say that Rao was on a relationship-building exercise, considering the growing interest of the Eenadu group in Maharashtra. The group's regional channel ETV Marathi is doing well, and the group is now looking at the possibilities of foraying into the print medium.

Rao also visited the channel's Mumbai office, his first visit since the launch of ETV Marathi. Sources say he met with the staff, and discussed future strategies.