One of Telugu Cinema’s jewels, Veteran actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao’s contribution for the Telugu Cinema is boundless. The late actor’s 100th Birth Anniversary falls today and reasons for celebration of the rich heritage of Cinema. Actor Nagarjuna has eternalised his father with the commencement of ANR National Awards and in turn honouring some of the best talents of Telugu Cinema.
The Akkineni Nageswara Rao National Award is an initiative by the Akkineni Nageswara Rao Foundation in honour of ANR. The sole motto of the award is to recognise people for their lifetime contribution and achievement in Indian Cinema and has been active from 2005. This year makes it more special as 2024 marks the Birth Centenary of ANR.
ANR National Awards for 2024 is celebrating Telugu Cinema Megastar Chiranjeevi while the memorial award is presented to him by Bollywood’s Superstar Amitabh Bachchan. The whole Akkineni family has gathered together along with famous actors, directors and Telugu Cinema celebrities clubbed together in a grand ceremony in remembrance of actor Nageshwara Rao.
The ceremony began with a special musical performance curated by reverend Music Director Keeravani, rejoicing the great actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao’s famous film songs with a Audio Visual documenting his early stages of acting, showcasing his talents, charisma and in praise of the pure visionary he was.
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In attendance were celebrities from Telugu Cinema of all ages, Nagarjuna, Chiranjeevi, Ram Charan, Nani, Ramya Krishnan, Venkatesh, Prakash Raj, Brahmanandham, Nag Ashwin were left in tears with the family sharing some of the personal and emotional moments of the great actor, including his last voice note from hospital.
A proud beholder of numerous awards, rightfully deserved, Actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao with his vision helped the Telugu Film Industry to shift from the then Madras by opening Annapurna Studios. His contributions to the development of not just Telugu Cinema, but also opened several colleges and film education.
There is also an Audio Visual of the similarity between ANR and Chiranjeevi as he is honoured today with the Akkineni Nageswara Rao National Awards. The two are the only recipients of India’s Second Highest Honour Padma Vibhushan and now the Megastar Chiranjeevi is being honoured on ANR’s National Award for 2024.
Amidst the presence of the loved ones of ANR and his colleagues and friends, Music Director Keeravani was honoured for his involvement in the ceremony followed by speeches by Nagarjuna, film producer Subbarami Reddy sharing their favourite memories with the late actor.
Actor Nagarjuna thanked the people and special guests who have graced the occasion and also spoke highly about Mr. Bachchan and Mr. Chiranjeevi. “The ABC of Indian Cinema is present here, AB (Amitabh Bachchan) & C (Chiranjeevi)” said Mr. Nagarjuna who voiced his honour and pride in awarding and continuing his father’s legacy, not just through this award but also in running other philanthropic interests of the late Mr. Nageswara Rao.
The evening ended with the former recipient of the ANR National Awards, Mr. Amitabh Bachchan honouring this years recipient Mr. Chiranjeevi with the Akkineni Nageswara Rao National Award Memento and shawl, followed by a speech by Mega Star Chiranjeevi who thanked the Akkineni family, the Akkineni Nageswara Rao foundation and shared his memory with Mr. Bachchan. He then went on to speak dearly about his nostalgic memories with ANR and the lessons he had learnt from the visionary, also adding his feeling of honour of a small line of people honoured till now with the ANR National Award.
