Akkineni Nageswara Rao

Akkineni Nageswara Rao (20 September 1923 – 22 January 2014), widely known as ANR, was an Indian actor and producer, known for his works majorly in Telugu cinema. He starred in many landmark films in his seventy five-year career, and became one of the most prominent figures of Telugu cinema. Nageswara Rao received seven state Nandi Awards, and five Filmfare Awards South. He is a recipient of the Dada Saheb Phalke Award and Padma Vibhushan, India's second highest civilian award, for his contributions to the fields of Art and Cinema.

Nageswara Rao is known for his work in biographical films. He portrayed the Tamil saint Vipra Narayana in the 1954 film ''Vipra Narayana''; Telugu poet Tenali Ramakrishna in the 1956 film ''Tenali Ramakrishna'', which received the All India Certificate of Merit for Best Feature Film; the Sanskrit poet Kalidasa in the 1960 film ''Mahakavi Kalidasu''; the 12th century Sanskrit poet Jayadeva in the 1961 film ''Bhakta Jayadeva''; the legendary sculptor Jakanachari in the 1964 film ''Amara Silpi Jakkanna''; the Marathi saint Tukaram in the 1971 film ''Bhakta Tukaram''; 15th century mystic poet Kabir in the 2006 film '' Sri Ramadasu''; and Sanskrit poet Valmiki in the 2009 film '' Sri Rama Rajyam''. Similarly, he played many mythological figures such as Lord Vishnu in '' Chenchu Lakshmi'' (1958); Narada in '' Bhookailas'' (1958), and Arjuna in ''Sri Krishnarjuna Yuddhamu'' (1963).

He is also remembered for his performances in romantic dramas '' Laila Majnu'' (1949), '' Devadasu'' (1953), '' Anarkali'' (1955), ''Batasari'' (1961), ''Mooga Manasulu'' (1964), '' Prema Nagar'' (1971), '' Premabhishekam'' (1981), and ''Meghasandesam'' (1982). He also starred in the blockbusters '' Balaraju'' (1948), '' Keelu Gurram'' (1949), ''Ardhangi'' (1955), '' Donga Ramudu'' (1955), ''Mangalya Balam'' (1958), ''Gundamma Katha'' (1962), ''Doctor Chakravarty'' (1964), ''Dharma Daata'' (1970), and '' Dasara Bullodu'' (1971).

He was one of the instrumental figures in the shifting of the Telugu film industry from Madras to Hyderabad in the 1970s. He established Annapurna Studios in 1976 to provide infrastructural support to Telugu cinema in Hyderabad. He later started the Annapurna International School of Film and Media within Annapurna Studios in 2011. ''Manam'' (2014) was the last film of Nageswara Rao, who died on 22 January 2014 during the film's production phase.

Early life and background

Akkineni Nageswara Rao was born into a lower-middle-class family on 20 September 1924 in Ramapuram, Krishna District, of present-day Andhra Pradesh. He was the youngest of five brothers. His parents Akkineni Venkataratnam and Akkineni Punnamma, were from the farming community. His formal education was limited to primary schooling due to his parents' poor economic condition.

He began working in theatre at the age of 10. He became a stage actor, specialising in playing female characters, since women at that time were mostly prohibited from acting. His most noted roles were in notable dramas ''Harishchandra'', ''Kanakatara'', ''Vipranarayana'', ''Telugu Talli'', ''Aasajyoti'' and ''Satyanveshanam''. The turning point of his career was when Ghantasala Balaramayya, a prominent film producer at that time, discovered him at the Vijayawada railway station. He was cast in the lead role of Rama in '' Sri Seeta Rama Jananam'' (1944). This was after his debut in a supporting role in the film '' Dharmapatni'' (1941).

Career

He starred in over 255 films, spanning the Telugu, Tamil and Hindi languages. A majority of his films were both commercial and critical successes.

Though he is known for playing mythological figures such as Rama and Krishna, he was notably an atheist.

He is fondly called ''Natasamrat'' by his fans. In 1953, Rao played the titular role in ''Devadasu'' (1953), which is based on the novel of the same name. ''Deccan Herald'' reported that several critics had considered Rao's portrayal to be the best among all language versions. ''Navaratri'' (1966) made Nageswara Rao the second actor after Sivaji Ganesan to play nine different roles in a film.

Rao is known for his romantic roles in films such as ''Laila Majnu'' (1949), ''Anarkali'' (1955), and '' Prema Nagar'' (1971). He also played several mythological characters in ''Mayabazar'' (1957), ''Mahakavi Kalidasu'' (1965), ''Bhakta Tukaram'' (1973), and '' Sri Ramadasu'' (2006).

Some of his many commercially successful films are ''Maya Bazaar, Samsaram, Bratuku Theruvu, Aradhana, Donga Ramudu, Dr. Chakravarthi, Ardhaangi, Mangalya Balam, Illarikam, Shantinivasam, Velugu Needalu, Dasara Bullodu, Bharya Bhartalu, Dharmadata, Batasari'' and '' College Bullodu''. '' Sitaramayyagari Manavaralu'' was released in 1991, almost 50 years after his debut, and was a success at the box office.

Nageswara Rao played an instrumental role in shifting the base of Telugu cinema from Madras to Hyderabad. During the late 1970s, he made a point to work only in the films that were produced in Andhra Pradesh (except for Vijaya Vauhini Studios and Venus Studios films). In 1976, he established Annapurna Studios in Hyderabad as part of his efforts to provide the necessary infrastructure to produce films there.

Charity

Nageswara Rao was very active in social service. Regarding the existence of God, he once said, "If there's a presence there, I'm sure he'll want us to perform our earthly duties well and be a good human being rather than blindly worship him".

Nageswara Rao set up the Akkineni Janmabhoomi trust under the Janmabhoomi programme to foster development in his home town, Ramapuram. He was instrumental in the construction of the Akkineni Varadhi (a bridge named after him), which improved his village's economy by facilitating easy connectivity. In Ramapuram, Nageswara Rao contributed towards the construction of a water filtration plant.

He instituted the Akkineni International Foundation in 2005 to honour those who contributed to the Film Industry. The Annapurna International School of Film and Media, founded by his family in 2011, was set up as a non-profit entity. Rao donated to educational institutions since the beginning of his career and created scholarships at GITAM University (Vizag). He was the Chief Donor and President of Akkineni Nageswara Rao College, which was named after him. Rao was a Life member of the board and an adviser to the Department of Dramatics and Theatre Arts of Andhra University. He instituted gold medals for students who excelled in Acting and Direction. In 2012, he instituted the Akkineni Annapurna Educational Trust in memory of his wife Annapurna.

Personal life

Nageswara Rao married Annapurna on 18 February 1949. Annapurna Studios (established 1985) is named after her, and she was also credited as a presenter for several of the studio's productions. Annapurna died in 2011 after a prolonged illness. The couple had 5 children: Nagarjuna, Venkat Rathnam, Saroja, Sathyavathi, and Naga Susheela.

Death

On 19 October 2013, Rao was diagnosed with stomach cancer. He continued shooting for his final film ''Manam'' two weeks after a major laparoscopic surgery, which some doctors feared he wouldn't survive. His last public appearance was at the foundation day celebrations of Annapurna Studios on 14 January 2014. Rao died a week later, on 22 January 2014. He was cremated on 23 January 2014, at Annapurna Studios with full state honours amid a 21-gun salute. Thousands were present to pay their last respects.

Awards and honours

;Civilian honors
* Padma Vibhushan (2011)
* Padma Bhushan (1988)
* Padma Shri (1968)

; National Film Awards
* Dada Saheb Phalke Award (1991)
; Filmfare Awards South
* Filmfare Best Film Award (Telugu) – Sudigundalu (1968) (shared with veteran Adurthi Subba Rao)
* Best Actor – Telugu – ''Marapurani Manishi'' (1973)
* Best Actor – Telugu – '' Aatma Bandhuvulu'' (1987)
* Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South (1988)
* Best Actor – Telugu – '' Seetharamaiah Gari Manavaralu'' (1991)

;Nandi Awards
* Raghupathi Venkaiah Award (1989)
* NTR National Award (1996)

;Nandi Award for Best Actor
* '' Dr. Chakravarthy'' (1964)
* ''Antastulu'' (1965)
* ''Sudigundalu'' (1967)
* ''Meghasandesam'' (1982)
* ''Bangaru Kutumbam'' (1994)

;Other state honours
* Kalidasu Kaustubh from Madhya Pradesh State
* Appointed as an adviser to the State Film Development Corporation.
* Tamil Nadu State Film Honorary Award – Arignar Anna Award in 1992Tamil Nadu State Film Honorary Award

Filmography

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Rao, Akkineni Nageswara
1923 births
2014 deaths
Andhra University alumni
Recipients of the Padma Bhushan in arts
Recipients of the Padma Shri in arts
People from Krishna district
Dadasaheb Phalke Award recipients
Recipients of the Padma Vibhushan in arts
Indian male film actors
Indian male stage actors
Telugu male actors
Male actors in Tamil cinema
Nandi Award winners
Indian atheists
Male actors from Andhra Pradesh
Deaths from cancer in India
Telugu film producers
Film producers from Andhra Pradesh
20th-century Indian male actors
21st-century Indian male actors
Male actors in Telugu theatre
Indian agnostics