It's a celebration of sorts. Veteran turns ninety and is still going strong in acting department. The man in discussion is none but the stalwart of Telugu cinema
Akkineni Nageshwar Rao. The actor who debuted at the age of 17 in
Tollywood shook Telugu film industry and is still going strong. His first film was Dharmapatni in 1941. He played a small role in that film. Four years later, he got the chance to play lead role in Seeta Rama Jananam (1944). Films like Balaraju (1948) and Keelugurram (1949) established him as a star. With Devadasu (1953), his became big star and won many accolades as actor. Since then he never looked back and went on to become one of the strong pillars of Telugu film industry along with N T Ramarao.
Popularly known as ANR, Nageshwar Rao has acted in some iconic films. Charming Prince, distraught lover, college’s lover boy, responsible government official, mythological characters, ANR has done them all. Before foraying into films, ANR acted in several dramas. Today ANR has more than 260 films behind him, in which majority of the films went on to become hits.
The legendary actor has received several awards. He has got the highest civilian honour the Padma Vibhushan award in 2011. ANR was honoured with the prestigious Dada Sahesb Phalke Award in 1991. Today we have an award similar to the Phalke award in ANR’s name known as the ANR National Award. This award is given annually to recognize people for their lifetime achievements and contributions to the Indian film industry.
We saw ANR perform as Maharishi Valmiki in Sri Ramarajyam which was released in 2011. Now two years later we will see him again in Manam. This film also has ANR's son Nagarjuna and grandson Naga Chaitanya in the lead. In Manam ANR will perform as Nagarjuna's son and Naga Chaitanya's grandson. A role reversal from reality.
The first look of Manam is already out on the occasion of ANR's 90th birthday.
