Akkineni Nageswara Rao facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Akkineni Nageswara Rao
|
|
|---|---|
Rao in 1951
|
|
| Born | 20 September 1923 |
| Died | 22 January 2014 (aged 90) |
| Occupation |
|
| Years active | 1941–2014 |
| Spouse(s) |
Annapurna
(m. 1949) |
| Children | 5, including Nagarjuna |
| Family | Akkineni–Daggubati family |
| Awards |
|
Akkineni Nageswara Rao (born September 20, 1923 – died January 22, 2014) was a famous Indian actor and producer. Many people knew him as ANR. He was best known for his work in Telugu cinema, which is the film industry in the Telugu language.
ANR starred in many important films during his 75-year career. He became one of the most well-known people in Telugu cinema. He won seven state Nandi Awards and five Filmfare Awards South. He also received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, which is India's highest film honor. For his great contributions to art and cinema, he was given the Padma Vibhushan. This is India's second-highest civilian award.
ANR was famous for acting in films about real people's lives. He played many historical and mythological characters. For example, he played:
- The Tamil saint Vipra Narayana in Vipra Narayana (1954).
- The Telugu poet Tenali Ramakrishna in Tenali Ramakrishna (1956). This film won an award for being a great feature film.
- The Sanskrit poet Kalidasa in Mahakavi Kalidasu (1960).
- The sculptor Jakanachari in Amara Silpi Jakkanna (1964).
- The Marathi saint Tukaram in Bhakta Tukaram (1971).
- The poet Kabir in Sri Ramadasu (2006).
- The poet Valmiki in Sri Rama Rajyam (2009).
He also played many gods and mythical figures. These included Lord Vishnu in Chenchu Lakshmi (1958) and Arjuna in Sri Krishnarjuna Yuddhamu (1963).
ANR also starred in many popular romantic movies. Some of these were Laila Majnu (1949), Devadasu (1953), and Prema Nagar (1971). He was also in many blockbuster films. These included Balaraju (1948), Gundamma Katha (1962), and Dasara Bullodu (1971).
He played a big part in moving the Telugu film industry. It moved from Madras to Hyderabad in the 1970s. In 1976, he started Annapurna Studios. This studio helped Telugu cinema grow in Hyderabad. Later, in 2011, he opened the Annapurna International School of Film and Media. This school is also part of Annapurna Studios.
ANR's last film was Manam (2014). He passed away on January 22, 2014, while the film was still being made.
Contents
Early Life and First Steps in Acting
Akkineni Nageswara Rao was born on September 20, 1923. His family lived in Ramapuram, which is now in Andhra Pradesh. He was the youngest of five brothers. His parents were farmers. ANR only went to primary school because his family did not have much money.
He started acting in plays when he was just 10 years old. He became a stage actor. He often played female characters because, at that time, women were usually not allowed to act on stage. Some of his famous roles were in plays like Harishchandra and Vipranarayana.
A big moment in his career happened when Ghantasala Balaramayya saw him. Balaramayya was a famous film producer. He found ANR at a railway station. ANR was then chosen to play the main role of Rama in the film Sri Seeta Rama Jananam (1944). Before this, he had a small role in Dharmapatni (1941).
A Long and Successful Career
ANR acted in over 255 films. These films were in Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi languages. Most of his films were very successful with both audiences and critics.
Even though he played many mythological figures like Rama and Krishna, he was an atheist. This means he did not believe in God.
His fans lovingly called him Natasamrat, which means "Emperor of Acting." In 1953, ANR played the main character in Devadasu. This film was based on a famous novel. Many critics said that ANR's acting in Devadasu was the best among all versions of the film. In Navaratri (1966), ANR played nine different roles. He was only the second actor to do this.
ANR was well-known for his romantic roles. Some of these films include Laila Majnu (1949) and Anarkali (1955). He also played many mythological characters. These roles were in films like Mayabazar (1957) and Sri Ramadasu (2006).
Many of his films were big hits. Some popular ones include Maya Bazaar, Donga Ramudu, and Dr. Chakravarthi. In 1991, nearly 50 years after his first film, Sitaramayyagari Manavaralu was released. It was also a big success.
ANR was very important in moving the Telugu cinema industry. It moved from Madras to Hyderabad. In the late 1970s, he decided to work mostly in films made in Andhra Pradesh. In 1976, he started Annapurna Studios in Hyderabad. This helped create the needed facilities for making films there.
Giving Back to the Community
Nageswara Rao was very active in helping others. He believed that people should do good deeds and be kind. He once said that if there is a God, he would want us to be good humans.
ANR started the Akkineni Janmabhoomi trust. This trust helped develop his hometown, Ramapuram. He helped build the Akkineni Varadhi, a bridge named after him. This bridge made it easier to travel to his village and helped its economy. He also helped build a water filtration plant in Ramapuram.
In 2005, he created the Akkineni International Foundation. This foundation gives awards to people who have helped the film industry. His family also started the Annapurna International School of Film and Media in 2011. This school is a non-profit organization.
ANR gave money to schools and colleges throughout his career. He created scholarships at GITAM University. He was also a main donor and president of ANR College, which was named after him. He helped students who were good at acting and directing by giving them gold medals. In 2012, he started the Akkineni Annapurna Educational Trust. He did this to honor his wife, Annapurna.
Family Life
Nageswara Rao married Annapurna on February 18, 1949. Annapurna Studios was named after her. She also helped produce some of the studio's films. Annapurna passed away in 2011 after a long illness. They had five children: Nagarjuna, Venkat Rathnam, Saroja, Sathyavathi, and Naga Susheela.
Later Years and Passing
On October 19, 2013, ANR was diagnosed with stomach cancer. Even after a big surgery, he kept filming his last movie, Manam. Doctors were worried he might not survive the surgery. His last public appearance was on January 14, 2014, at the Annapurna Studios celebration.
ANR passed away a week later, on January 22, 2014. He was cremated on January 23, 2014, at Annapurna Studios. Many thousands of people came to say goodbye. He was honored with a 21-gun salute, a special tribute from the state.
Awards and Recognitions
ANR received many important awards and honors for his work.
Civilian Honors
- Padma Vibhushan (2011)
- Padma Bhushan (1988)
- Padma Shri (1968)
National Film Awards
- Dada Saheb Phalke Award (1991)
Filmfare Awards South
- Filmfare Best Film Award (Telugu) – Sudigundalu (1968)
- Best Actor – Telugu – Marapurani Manishi (1973)
- Best Actor – Telugu – Aatma Bandhuvulu (1987)
- Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South (1988)
- Best Actor – Telugu – Seetharamaiah Gari Manavaralu (1991)
Nandi Awards
- Raghupathi Venkaiah Award (1989)
- NTR National Award (1996)
Nandi Award for Best Actor
- Dr. Chakravarthy (1964)
- Antastulu (1965)
- Sudigundalu (1967)
- Meghasandesam (1982)
- Bangaru Kutumbam (1994)
Other State Honors
- Kalidasu Kaustubh from Madhya Pradesh State
- Appointed as an adviser to the State Film Development Corporation.
- Tamil Nadu State Film Honorary Award – Arignar Anna Award in 1992
Filmography
See also
In Spanish: Akkineni Nageswara Rao para niños
