The word ‘Legend’ is being used too often on the internet these days. The word carries a lot of weight and there are only a few who can justify the term ‘Legend’. Late Akkineni Nageswara Rao is one such legendary personality who left a lasting impact on Telugu cinema. Born in Madras in 1923, the great actor passed away in 2014. In these 90 years, he created a legacy for himself that it untouchable and stood as one of the main pillars of Telugu cinema.
He played a pivotal role in bringing the Telugu film industry to Hyderabad in the 70s and sowed the seeds of the tree from which everyone are reaping the benefits. Over his 75-year career, he did numerous landmark films and did remarkable roles that stood as reference points in acting even today. He won seven Nandi Awards and five Filmfare Awards in his time. He is the recipient of Dada Saheb Phake Award and was given Padma Vibhushan which is India’s second highest civilian award by the government.
Nageswar Rao started his acting career at the age of 10. He worked in a theatre and then became a stage actor where he was famous for playing female characters. His filmography speaks for itself as he played versatile roles throughout his career. Whether it is a love story or family film or mythology or biographical drama or fantasy, Nageswara Rao delivered every time and proved himself as one of the greatest actors ever to do it on the big screen. He established Annapurna Studios in 1976 and most of the movie shootings happen there even today. Not just that but he started Annapurna International School of Film and Media in 2011. He is a man that paved way for many people and did a lot of social service too.
On his 100th birthday anniversary, his son Akkineni Nagarjuna and his entire family have organized grand celebrations where former Vice-President Sri Venkaiyya Naidu unveiled a statue of Akkineni Nageswara Rao. These centenary celebrations are being attended by every prominent face in the Telugu film industry as it is their way of showing gratitude to the person who created an empire upon which Tollywood is flourishing right now. His name is etched in history forever and ANR truly lives on.
