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
Telugu cinema, also known as Tollywood, is the segment of Indian cinema dedicated to the production of motion pictures in the Telugu language, widely spoken in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Telugu cinema is based in Film Nagar, Hy ...
. 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
The Nandi Awards are the awards that recognise the excellence in Telugu cinema, Telugu theatre and Telugu television, and Lifetime achievements in Indian cinema. Presented annually by the Government of Andhra Pradesh, the award is named after ...
, and five
Filmfare Awards South
Filmfare Awards South is the South Indian segment of the annual Filmfare Awards, presented by the Filmfare magazine of The Times Group to honour both artistic and technical excellence of professionals in the Indian film industry encompassing ...
. He is a recipient of the
Dada Saheb Phalke Award
The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is India's highest award in the field of cinema. It is presented annually at the National Film Awards ceremony by the Directorate of Film Festivals, an organisation set up by the Ministry of Information and Broadcas ...
and
Padma Vibhushan
The Padma Vibhushan ("Lotus Decoration") is the second-highest Indian honours system, civilian award of the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna. Instituted on 2 January 1954, the award is given for "exceptional and distinguished service" ...
, 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 film
A biographical film or biopic () is a film that dramatizes the life of a non-fictional or historically-based person or people. Such films show the life of a historical person and the central character's real name is used. They differ from docudra ...
s. He portrayed the Tamil saint
Vipra Narayana
''Vipra Narayana'' is a 1954 Telugu-language biographical film directed, produced and edited by P. S. Ramakrishna Rao under Bharani Studios banner. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Bhanumathi, and Relangi with music composed by S. Rajeswara R ...
in the 1954 film ''
Vipra Narayana
''Vipra Narayana'' is a 1954 Telugu-language biographical film directed, produced and edited by P. S. Ramakrishna Rao under Bharani Studios banner. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Bhanumathi, and Relangi with music composed by S. Rajeswara R ...
''; Telugu poet
Tenali Rama
Tenali Ramakrishna (born Garlapati Ramakrishna; also known as Tenali Rama) was an Indian poet, scholar, thinker and a special advisor in the court of the Vijayanagar king Krishnadevaraya, who ruled from C.E. 1509 to 1529. He was a Telugu poet ...
krishna in the 1956 film ''
Tenali Ramakrishna
Tenali Ramakrishna (born Garlapati Ramakrishna; also known as Tenali Rama) was an Indian poet, scholar, thinker and a special advisor in the court of the Vijayanagar king Krishnadevaraya, who ruled from C.E. 1509 to 1529. He was a Telugu poet ...
'', which received the
All India Certificate of Merit for Best Feature Film; the Sanskrit poet
Kalidasa in the 1960 film ''
Mahakavi Kalidasu
''Mahakavi Kalidasu'' is a 1960 Indian Telugu-language biographical film directed by Kamalakara Kameswara Rao and written by Pingali. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Sriranjani Jr., with music composed by Pendyala. It was produced by K. N ...
''; the 12th century Sanskrit poet
Jayadeva
Jayadeva (; born ), also spelt Jaideva, was a Sanskrit poet during the 12th century. He is most known for his epic poem ''Gita Govinda'' which concentrates on Krishna's love with the '' gopi'', Radha, in a rite of spring. This poem, which presen ...
in the 1961 film ''
Bhakta Jayadeva
Bhakta Jayadeva is a 1961 Indian Telugu-language biographical film, based on the life of 12th Century Sanskrit Poet Jayadeva, produced by Komaravolu Narayana Rao and G. Paramdhama Reddy under the Lalitha Kala Nikethan banner and directed by ...
''; the legendary sculptor
Jakanachari in the 1964 film ''
Amara Silpi Jakkanna
''Amarasilpi Jakkanna'' is a 1964 Telugu-language biographical film, produced and directed by B. S. Ranga under the Vikram Studios banner. The film stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao in the title role of Jakanachari, a legendary sculptor credited w ...
''; the Marathi saint
Tukaram
Sant Tukaram Maharaj (Marathi pronunciation: ̪ukaːɾam was a 17th-century Marathi poet, Hindu ''sant'' (saint), popularly known as Tuka, Tukobaraya, Tukoba in Maharashtra. He was a Sant of Varkari sampradaya (Marathi-Vaishnav tradition) - ...
in the 1971 film ''
Bhakta Tukaram
''Bhakta Tukaram'' is a 1973 Indian Telugu-language biographical film based on the life of the saint-poet Tukaram, produced by P. Adinarayana Rao under the Anjali Pictures banner and directed by V. Madhusudhana Rao. It stars Akkineni Nageswara R ...
''; 15th century mystic poet
Kabir
Kabir Das (1398–1518) was a 15th-century Indian mystic poet and saint. His writings influenced Hinduism's Bhakti movement, and his verses are found in Sikhism's scripture Guru Granth Sahib, the Satguru Granth Sahib of Saint Garib Das ...
in the 2006 film ''
Sri Ramadasu
''Sri Ramadasu'' is 2006 Indian Telugu-language biographical film, based on the life of musician saint ''Kancharla Gopanna'', produced by Konda Krishnam Raju on Aditya Movies banner and directed by K. Raghavendra Rao. Starring Akkineni Nageswa ...
''; and Sanskrit poet
Valmiki
Valmiki (; Sanskrit: वाल्मीकि, ) is celebrated as the wikt:harbinger, harbinger-poet in Sanskrit literature. The epic ''Ramayana'', dated variously from the 5th century BCE to first century BCE, is attributed to him, based on ...
in the 2009 film ''
Sri Rama Rajyam
''Sri Rama Rajyam'' () is a 2011 Indian Telugu-language Hindu mythological film directed by Bapu who co-wrote the film with Mullapudi Venkata Ramana, and produced by Yalamanchali Saibabu. The film stars Nandamuri Balakrishna, Nayanthara, Akkine ...
''. Similarly, he played many mythological figures such as Lord
Vishnu
Vishnu ( ; , ), also known as Narayana and Hari, is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. He is the supreme being within Vaishnavism, one of the major traditions within contemporary Hinduism.
Vishnu is known as "The Preserver" within t ...
in ''
Chenchu Lakshmi
''Chenchu Lakshmi'' is a 1958 Indian bilingual Telugu and Tamil language Hindu mythological film, produced and directed by B. A. Subba Rao. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Anjali Devi, with music composed by S. Rajeswara Rao. It was sim ...
'' (1958);
Narada
Narada ( sa, नारद, ), or Narada Muni, is a sage divinity, famous in Hindu traditions as a travelling musician and storyteller, who carries news and enlightening wisdom. He is one of mind-created children of Brahma, the creator god. He ...
in ''
Bhookailas'' (1958), and
Arjuna
Arjuna (Sanskrit: अर्जुन, ), also known as Partha and Dhananjaya, is a character in several ancient Hindu texts, and specifically one of the major characters of the Indian epic Mahabharata. In the epic, he is the third among Panda ...
in ''
Sri Krishnarjuna Yuddhamu
''Sri Krishnarjuna Yuddhamu'' () is a 1963 Indian Telugu-language Hindu mythological film, produced and directed by K. V. Reddy under the Jayanthi Pictures banner.Naati 101 Chitralu, S. V. Rama Rao, Kinnera Publications, Hyderabad, 2006, pp: ...
'' (1963).
He is also remembered for his performances in romantic dramas ''
Laila Majnu
''Layla & Majnun'' ( ar, مجنون ليلى ; Layla's Mad Lover) is an old story of Arab origin, about the 7th-century Bedouin poet Qays ibn al-Mulawwah and his ladylove Layla bint Mahdi (later known as Layla al-Aamiriya).
"The Layla ...
'' (1949), ''
Devadasu'' (1953), ''
Anarkali'' (1955), ''
Batasari
''Batasari'' () is a 1961 Indian Telugu-language drama film, produced and directed by Ramakrishna of Bharani Pictures. It was simultaneously made in Tamil as ''Kaanal Neer'' (). Based on the Bengali novel ''Bardidi'' () by Saratchandra Chatte ...
'' (1961), ''
Mooga Manasulu
''Mooga Manasulu'' () is a 1964 Indian Telugu-language romantic drama film directed by Adurthi Subba Rao who co-wrote the film with Acharya Aatreya and Mullapudi Venkata Ramana. The film stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Savitri and Jamuna, with m ...
'' (1964), ''
Prema Nagar
''Prema Nagar'' () is a 1971 Indian Telugu-language romance film directed by K. S. Prakash Rao and produced by D. Ramanaidu under the Suresh Productions banner. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Vanisri with music composed by K. V. Mahadev ...
'' (1971), ''
Premabhishekam'' (1981), and ''
Meghasandesam
''Meghasandesam'' () is a 1982 Telugu-language drama film, produced and directed by Dasari Narayana Rao under his Taraka Prabhu Films banner. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Jaya Prada, Jayasudha and music composed by Ramesh Naidu. This film i ...
'' (1982). He also starred in the blockbusters ''
Balaraju'' (1948), ''
Keelu Gurram'' (1949), ''
Ardhangi
''Ardhangi'' () is a 1955 Indian Telugu-language drama film, produced and directed by P. Pullayya under the Ragini Pictures banner. It stars Santha Kumari, Savitri, and Akkineni Nageswara Rao. Music is composed by Master Venu and B. Narasimha ...
'' (1955), ''
Donga Ramudu'' (1955), ''
Mangalya Balam
''Mangalya Balam'' () is a 1959 Indian Telugu-language romantic drama film, produced by D. Madhusudhana Rao under Annapurna Pictures banner and directed by Adurthi Subba Rao. It stars Savitri and Akkineni Nageswara Rao, with music composed by ...
'' (1958), ''
Gundamma Katha
''Gundamma Katha'' () is a 1962 Indian Telugu-language comedy drama film directed by Kamalakara Kameswara Rao and co-produced by Nagi Reddi and Chakrapani under their banner Vijaya Productions. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Akkineni Nageswara Rao, S ...
'' (1962), ''
Doctor Chakravarty
''Doctor Chakravarthy'' is 1964 Telugu-language drama film, produced by D. Madhusudhana Rao under the Annapurna Pictures banner and directed by Adurthi Subba Rao. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Savitri and Jaggayya, with music composed by S. ...
'' (1964), ''
Dharma Daata
''Dharma Daata'' is a 1970 Indian Telugu-language drama film, produced by Tammareddy Krishna Murthy under the Ravindra Art Pictures banner and directed by A. Sanjeevi. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Kanchana, with music composed by T. C ...
'' (1970), and ''
Dasara Bullodu'' (1971).
He was one of the instrumental figures in the shifting of the Telugu film industry from
Madras
Chennai (, ), formerly known as Madras ( the official name until 1996), is the capital city of Tamil Nadu, the southernmost Indian state. The largest city of the state in area and population, Chennai is located on the Coromandel Coast of th ...
to
Hyderabad
Hyderabad ( ; , ) is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Telangana and the ''de jure'' capital of Andhra Pradesh. It occupies on the Deccan Plateau along the banks of the Musi River (India), Musi River, in the northern part ...
in the 1970s.
He established
Annapurna Studios
Annapurna Studios is an Indian film production company, founded in 1976 by the actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao (ANR). Located in the heart of Hyderabad, India the studio mainly provides services for films including sound stages for set construc ...
in 1976 to provide infrastructural support to Telugu cinema in Hyderabad.
He later started the
Annapurna International School of Film and Media
Annapurna College of Film and Media is a Film School based in Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India. It's India's first private, non-profit media school. The institute was founded by the Akkineni family, including Nagarjuna (actor), Nagarjuna and Akkineni ...
within
Annapurna Studios
Annapurna Studios is an Indian film production company, founded in 1976 by the actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao (ANR). Located in the heart of Hyderabad, India the studio mainly provides services for films including sound stages for set construc ...
in 2011.
''
Manam
Manam, known locally as Manam Motu, is an island located in the Bismarck Sea across the Stephan Strait from Yawar on the northeast coast of mainland Papua New Guinea's Bogia District. The island is 10 kilometers wide, and was created by ...
'' (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
Krishna district is district in the coastal Andhra Region in Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, with Machilipatnam as its administrative headquarters. It is the coastal district of Andhra Pradesh. Machilipatnam is the most populated city in the di ...
, of present-day
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh (, abbr. AP) is a state in the south-eastern coastal region of India. It is the seventh-largest state by area covering an area of and tenth-most populous state with 49,386,799 inhabitants. It is bordered by Telangana to the ...
. 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
Ghantasala Balaramayya was an Indian film director, producer, and actor in Telugu cinema. His notable films include '' Sri Seetarama Jananam'' (1944), '' Balaraju'' (1948), '' Swapna Sundari'' (1950), and '' Sri Lakshmamma Katha'' (1950). Bala ...
, 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
''Deccan Herald'' is an Indian English language daily newspaper published from the Indian state of Karnataka. It was founded by K. N. Guruswamy, a liquor businessman from Ballari and was launched on 17 June 1948. It is published by The Printe ...
'' 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
Villupuram Chinnaiya Manrayar Ganesamoorthy, better known by his stage name Sivaji Ganesan, (1 October 1928 – 21 July 2001) was an Indian actor and producer. He was active in Tamil cinema during the latter half of the 20th century. Sivaji Ga ...
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
''Prema Nagar'' () is a 1971 Indian Telugu-language romance film directed by K. S. Prakash Rao and produced by D. Ramanaidu under the Suresh Productions banner. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Vanisri with music composed by K. V. Mahadev ...
'' (1971). He also played several mythological characters in ''
Mayabazar
''Mayabazar'' () is a 1957 Indian epic Hindu mythological film directed by K. V. Reddy. It was produced by Nagi Reddi and Chakrapani under their banner, Vijaya Productions. The film was shot simultaneously in Telugu and Tamil languages, with ...
'' (1957), ''
Mahakavi Kalidasu
''Mahakavi Kalidasu'' is a 1960 Indian Telugu-language biographical film directed by Kamalakara Kameswara Rao and written by Pingali. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Sriranjani Jr., with music composed by Pendyala. It was produced by K. N ...
'' (1965), ''
Bhakta Tukaram
''Bhakta Tukaram'' is a 1973 Indian Telugu-language biographical film based on the life of the saint-poet Tukaram, produced by P. Adinarayana Rao under the Anjali Pictures banner and directed by V. Madhusudhana Rao. It stars Akkineni Nageswara R ...
'' (1973), and ''
Sri Ramadasu
''Sri Ramadasu'' is 2006 Indian Telugu-language biographical film, based on the life of musician saint ''Kancharla Gopanna'', produced by Konda Krishnam Raju on Aditya Movies banner and directed by K. Raghavendra Rao. Starring Akkineni Nageswa ...
'' (2006).
Some of his many commercially successful films are ''
Maya Bazaar
''Mayabazar'' () is a 1957 Indian epic Hindu mythological film directed by K. V. Reddy. It was produced by Nagi Reddi and Chakrapani under their banner, Vijaya Productions. The film was shot simultaneously in Telugu and Tamil languages, with ...
, Samsaram,
Bratuku Theruvu
''Bratuku Teruvu'' () is a 1953 Telugu-language drama film, produced by Kovelamudi Bhaskar Rao under the Bhaskar Productions banner and directed by P. S. Ramakrishna Rao. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Savitri, with music composed by G ...
,
Aradhana,
Donga Ramudu,
Dr. Chakravarthi,
Ardhaangi,
Mangalya Balam
''Mangalya Balam'' () is a 1959 Indian Telugu-language romantic drama film, produced by D. Madhusudhana Rao under Annapurna Pictures banner and directed by Adurthi Subba Rao. It stars Savitri and Akkineni Nageswara Rao, with music composed by ...
,
Illarikam
''Illarikam'' () is a 1959 Indian Telugu-language comedy drama film directed by T. Prakash Rao. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Jamuna, with music composed by T. Chalapathi Rao. It was produced by A. V. Subba Rao under the Prasad Art Pict ...
,
Shantinivasam,
Velugu Needalu
''Velugu Needalu'' () is a 1961 Telugu-language film produced by D. Madhusudhana Rao under the Annapurna Pictures banner and directed by Adurthi Subba Rao. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Savitri, with music composed by Pendyala Nageswar ...
,
Dasara Bullodu,
Bharya Bhartalu
''Bharya Bhartalu'' () is a 1961 Indian Telugu-language drama film, produced by A. V. Subba Rao under the Prasad Art Pictures banner and directed by K. Pratyagatma. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Krishna Kumari, with music composed by ...
,
Dharmadata,
Batasari
''Batasari'' () is a 1961 Indian Telugu-language drama film, produced and directed by Ramakrishna of Bharani Pictures. It was simultaneously made in Tamil as ''Kaanal Neer'' (). Based on the Bengali novel ''Bardidi'' () by Saratchandra Chatte ...
'' and ''
College Bullodu
''College Bullodu'' () is a 1992 Telugu-language comedy film directed by Sarath. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Raadhika, Harish and music composed by Raj–Koti. It is produced by P. Balaram under Sri Anupama Productions.
Plot
Gopala Krishn ...
''. ''
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
Telugu cinema, also known as Tollywood, is the segment of Indian cinema dedicated to the production of motion pictures in the Telugu language, widely spoken in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Telugu cinema is based in Film Nagar, Hy ...
from
Madras
Chennai (, ), formerly known as Madras ( the official name until 1996), is the capital city of Tamil Nadu, the southernmost Indian state. The largest city of the state in area and population, Chennai is located on the Coromandel Coast of th ...
to
Hyderabad
Hyderabad ( ; , ) is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Telangana and the ''de jure'' capital of Andhra Pradesh. It occupies on the Deccan Plateau along the banks of the Musi River (India), Musi River, in the northern part ...
. During the late 1970s, he made a point to work only in the films that were produced in
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh (, abbr. AP) is a state in the south-eastern coastal region of India. It is the seventh-largest state by area covering an area of and tenth-most populous state with 49,386,799 inhabitants. It is bordered by Telangana to the ...
(except for
Vijaya Vauhini Studios
Vijaya Vauhini Studios was one of the premier motion picture movie studios in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. It is the combination of Vijaya Productions and Vauhini Studios. B. Nagi Reddy (Bommireddy Nagi Reddy) was the founder of Vijaya Produc ...
and Venus Studios films). In 1976, he established
Annapurna Studios
Annapurna Studios is an Indian film production company, founded in 1976 by the actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao (ANR). Located in the heart of Hyderabad, India the studio mainly provides services for films including sound stages for set construc ...
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
Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management (GITAM) is a private deemed university located in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. Founded by the late Dr M. V. V. S. Murthi in 1980 in Visakhapatnam, it also has campus in Hyderabad and Bengaluru ...
(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
Annapurna Studios is an Indian film production company, founded in 1976 by the actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao (ANR). Located in the heart of Hyderabad, India the studio mainly provides services for films including sound stages for set construc ...
(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
Nāgārjuna . 150 – c. 250 CE (disputed)was an Indian Mahāyāna Buddhist thinker, scholar-saint and philosopher. He is widely considered one of the most important Buddhist philosophers.Garfield, Jay L. (1995), ''The Fundamental Wisdom of ...
, Venkat Rathnam, Saroja, Sathyavathi, and Naga Susheela.
Death
On 19 October 2013, Rao was diagnosed with
stomach cancer
Stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, is a cancer that develops from the lining of the stomach. Most cases of stomach cancers are gastric carcinomas, which can be divided into a number of subtypes, including gastric adenocarcinomas. Lymph ...
. He continued shooting for his final film ''
Manam
Manam, known locally as Manam Motu, is an island located in the Bismarck Sea across the Stephan Strait from Yawar on the northeast coast of mainland Papua New Guinea's Bogia District. The island is 10 kilometers wide, and was created by ...
'' 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
Annapurna Studios is an Indian film production company, founded in 1976 by the actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao (ANR). Located in the heart of Hyderabad, India the studio mainly provides services for films including sound stages for set construc ...
on 14 January 2014. Rao died a week later, on 22 January 2014.
He was cremated on 23 January 2014, at
Annapurna Studios
Annapurna Studios is an Indian film production company, founded in 1976 by the actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao (ANR). Located in the heart of Hyderabad, India the studio mainly provides services for films including sound stages for set construc ...
with full state honours amid a 21-gun salute. Thousands were present to pay their last respects.
Awards and honours
;Civilian honors
*
Padma Vibhushan
The Padma Vibhushan ("Lotus Decoration") is the second-highest Indian honours system, civilian award of the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna. Instituted on 2 January 1954, the award is given for "exceptional and distinguished service" ...
(2011)
*
Padma Bhushan
The Padma Bhushan is the third-highest civilian award in the Republic of India, preceded by the Bharat Ratna and the Padma Vibhushan and followed by the Padma Shri. Instituted on 2 January 1954, the award is given for "distinguished service ...
(1988)
*
Padma Shri
Padma Shri (IAST: ''padma śrī''), also spelled Padma Shree, is the fourth-highest Indian honours system, civilian award of the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan. Instituted on 2 January 1954, ...
(1968)
;
National Film Awards
The National Film Awards is the most prominent film award ceremony in India. Established in 1954, it has been administered, along with the International Film Festival of India and the Indian Panorama, by the Indian government's Directorat ...
*
Dada Saheb Phalke Award
The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is India's highest award in the field of cinema. It is presented annually at the National Film Awards ceremony by the Directorate of Film Festivals, an organisation set up by the Ministry of Information and Broadcas ...
(1991)
;
Filmfare Awards South
Filmfare Awards South is the South Indian segment of the annual Filmfare Awards, presented by the Filmfare magazine of The Times Group to honour both artistic and technical excellence of professionals in the Indian film industry encompassing ...
*
Filmfare Best Film Award (Telugu)
The Filmfare Award for Best Film is given by the ''Filmfare'' magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films.
The award was first given in 1954. Here is a list of the award winners and the nominees of the respective years. Eac ...
–
Sudigundalu
''Sudigundalu'' () is a 1968 Indian Telugu-language philosophical film, produced by Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Adurthi Subba Rao under the Chakravarthy Chitra banner and directed by Adurthi Subba Rao. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, and has musi ...
(1968) (shared with veteran
Adurthi Subba Rao
Adurthi Subba Rao (16 December 1912 – 1 October 1975) was an Indian film director, cinematographer, screenwriter, editor and producer known for his works predominantly in Telugu cinema. Rao is widely regarded as the intellectual fountain ...
)
*
Best Actor – Telugu – ''Marapurani Manishi'' (1973)
*
Best Actor – Telugu – ''
Aatma Bandhuvulu'' (1987)
*
Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South
The Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award is given by the ''Filmfare'' magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards South ceremony.
Recipients
Notes
References General
*
Specific
External links
55th Filmfare Awards South Winners
{{DEF ...
(1988)
*
Best Actor – Telugu – ''
Seetharamaiah Gari Manavaralu
''Seetharamayya Gari Manavaralu'' ( Seetharamayya's granddaughter) is a 1991 Indian Telugu-language drama film directed by Kranthi Kumar, and produced by V. Doraswamy Raju under the VMC Productions banner. The film stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao ...
'' (1991)
;
Nandi Awards
The Nandi Awards are the awards that recognise the excellence in Telugu cinema, Telugu theatre and Telugu television, and Lifetime achievements in Indian cinema. Presented annually by the Government of Andhra Pradesh, the award is named after ...
*
Raghupathi Venkaiah Award
The Raghupathi Venkaiah Naidu Award is an award issued by the Indian state government of Andhra Pradesh, to recognise lifetime achievements in Telugu cinema. The award was introduced in 1981 in honour of Raghupathi Venkaiah Naidu, a pioneer of t ...
(1989)
[
* ]NTR National Award
The NTR National Award is an annual award presented by the Government of Andhra Pradesh to recognize people for their lifetime achievements and contributions to the Cinema of India. The NTR National Award is an honorary Nandi Award in the honour ...
(1996)[
;]Nandi Award for Best Actor
The Nandi Award for Best Actor was commissioned by the Nandi Awards committee in 1977. The winner is awarded a "Silver Nandi", "Sri Rajendra Prasad Gold Medal", cash award and a commendation certificate. Venkatesh has won the most Best Actor awar ...
* ''Dr. Chakravarthy
''Doctor Chakravarthy'' is 1964 Telugu-language drama film, produced by D. Madhusudhana Rao under the Annapurna Pictures banner and directed by Adurthi Subba Rao. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Savitri and Jaggayya, with music composed by ...
'' (1964)
* ''Antastulu'' (1965)
* ''Sudigundalu'' (1967)
* ''Meghasandesam
''Meghasandesam'' () is a 1982 Telugu-language drama film, produced and directed by Dasari Narayana Rao under his Taraka Prabhu Films banner. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Jaya Prada, Jayasudha and music composed by Ramesh Naidu. This film i ...
'' (1982)
* ''Bangaru Kutumbam'' (1994)
;Other state honours
* Kalidasu Kaustubh from Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh (, ; meaning 'central province') is a state in central India. Its capital is Bhopal, and the largest city is Indore, with Jabalpur, Ujjain, Gwalior, Sagar, and Rewa being the other major cities. Madhya Pradesh is the seco ...
State
* Appointed as an adviser to the State Film Development Corporation.
* Tamil Nadu State Film Honorary Award
The Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Honorary Award given by the ''Tamil Nadu State Government'' as part of its annual Tamil Nadu State Film Awards for Tamil cinema personalities who contributed in developing the Tamil cinema in India.
Arignar A ...
– Arignar Anna Award in 1992Tamil Nadu State Film Honorary Award
The Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Honorary Award given by the ''Tamil Nadu State Government'' as part of its annual Tamil Nadu State Film Awards for Tamil cinema personalities who contributed in developing the Tamil cinema in India.
Arignar A ...
Filmography
References
External links
*
{{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