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Akkineni Nageswara Rao's Rare And Unseen Pictures: A Tribute To Titan Of Telugu Cinema
From a poor farmer's son to one of the most loved and respected actors of Indian cinema, Akkineni Nageswara Rao's journey, which lasted over seven decades, could very well make an interesting story of a film. ANR, who as a youngster, walked bare foot in Gudivada in Krishna district of coastal Andhra, rose to the dizzy heights of stardom and became a symbol of the Telugu film industry or Tollywood as it is popularly called sometimes.
ANR, as fans fondly called him, died of cancer at a private hospital here in the early hours of Wednesday, plunging the industry into gloom. He was 89 and is survived by three daughters and two sons, including popular actor Nagarjuna. He was the last of the most popular first generation actors of Telugu cinema and was considered one of the two all-time greats of Telugu cinema, the other being NT Rama Rao (NTR) who died in 1996.
Akkineni Nageswara Rao started his career as an actor in theatre when he was just nine. In the initial years of his career, he even played female characters. His passion for cinema was spotted by his mother at a very young age. "I dropped out of school because my family couldn't afford it. I used to help my mother at her work, but at leisure, I used to stand in front of the mirror and act," Rao told in his interview last year.
The 91-year-old legendary actor said, "My mother noticed my interest in acting and asked my brother to introduce me to the local theatre group. I can't even think of what I would have been if not an actor."
We
bring
you
rare
and
unseen
pictures
of
Akkineni
Nageswara
Rao
and
details
about
his
contribution
to
the
making
of
Telugu
film
industry.
Continue
to
see
them
in
the
slideshow.
Rags-To-Riches Story
Rao was truly a rags-to-riches story. He made his cinematic debut in 1941 Telugu film Dharmapatni with a brief role, and in 1944 he was picked up from the platform of Bezawada (now Vijayawada) railway station and signed on to play the lead role in Telugu drama Sitarama Jananam.
ANR Played Variety Of Roles
Rao never hesitated to play a variety of roles, such as a villager, an urban educated protagonist, a tragic hero and even a comedian, to sustain his popularity over the years. He believed in longevity, and therefore, constantly chose to play different roles as he never wanted the audience to get bored of seeing him on screen.
ANR's Best Movies
While Rao will be remembered for many wonderful films such as Devadasu, Mayabazar, Dr Chakravarthy and Muga Manasulu, Sudigundaalu, Antastulu and Meghasandesam, Rao's best work was in Batasari and Devadasu.
ANR Called His Performance In Batasari Is Finest
"I still consider 'Batasari' as one of my finest performances in my career. There was only one page of dialogue in the whole picture and the role demanded maximum use of expressions," he had told IANS in the interview.
Devadasu Catapulted ANR Into First Romantic Hero
Despite strong criticism, Rao acted in Devadasu, only to be catapulted to the status of Telugu cinema's first romantic hero. The strong criticism made him all the more eager to prove himself with the film.
Navaratri
In 1966 Telugu drama Navaratri, Rao essayed nine different roles and earned critical acclaim for his performance. The film was later remade in Hindi as Naya Din Nayi Raat with Sanjeev Kumar.
ANR's Romantic Roles
Mostly remembered for his romantic roles in Laila Majnu, Anarkali and Prem Nagar, Rao also starred and proved his mettle in several mythological characters in Mayabazar, Mahakavi Kalidasu and Bhakta Tukaram, Sri Ramadasu and Sri Rama Rajyam.
235 Telugu Films
In his 74-year long illustrious career, he starred in about 235 Telugu films, besides 20 Tamil and one Hindi. Some of his best Tamil films include Anbumagan, Kanal Neer and Pen Manam.
Telugu Filmdom Shifted From Chennai To Hyderabad
Although he was enjoying a successful career in Tamil industry too, Rao shifted base to Hyderabad to ensure longevity in Telugu filmdom. Also he wanted his children to learn and speak their mother-tongue.
ANR Passion And Devotion
A true disciplinarian in both reel and real life, Rao succeeded because of passion and devotion. He believed as an actor one shoulders lot of responsibility, and therefore, he or she should always be careful about his or her actions both in films and in public life.
Annapurna Studios
He was instrumental in setting up one of the biggest studios in India. Named after his late wife, Annapurna Studios will remain the thespian's biggest gift to the Indian cinema.
ANR Education
The veteran, who studied only up to fifth standard, also set up a film school as he believed in the philosophy of giving back to the society.
Filmfare Awards For ANR
Rao bagged three Filmfare awards for the Best Actor for his role in Marapurani Manishi (1973), Seetharamaiah Gari Manavaralu (1991) and Bangaru Kutumbam (1994). He also won two Nandi awards for best actor for Meghasandesam (1982) and Bangaru Kutumbam (1994).
Lifetime Achievement Awards
He was recipient of many awards, including Padma Vibushan, the second highest civilian award of the country, and the Dada Saheb Phalke Award, the highest individual lifetime achievement award for films.
ANR's Last Film
Rao's last film was Telugu family drama Manam with son Nagarjuna and grandson Naga Chaitanya. The film is slated for release this year.
ANR's Last Press Conference
Rao called a press conference in October last year to announce that he was diagnosed with cancer. He refused to take questions, saying he doesn't want any sympathy. Claiming that he has strong will, he said he wanted to live up to 100 years with the good wishes of his fans, but the destiny willed otherwise.
