K Balachander bags ANR Award

Veteran director Dr. K Balachander has received ANR Award for the year 2010. The award is instituted Akkineni International Foundation and is given for lifetime achievement and outstanding contribution to Indian cinema.

ANR Foundation has organized a function on January 11 to honour Balachander at Shilpakala Vedika, Hyderabad. Andhra Pradesh CM Kiran Reddy will present a Memento and a cash prize of Rs. 4 lakhs.

Bollywood actor Dev Anand was the first recipient to receive this prestigious award followed by Shabana Azmi, Anjali Devi, Lata Mangeshkar and Vyjayanthimala. Balachander is often praised for introducing superstars like Rajinikanth and Kamal Hassan. He has directed in Telugu, Tamil, Kananda and Malayalam.