A special postal stamp was released to commemorate the centenary of the legendary actor, Padma Vibhushan Dr. Akkineni Nageswara Rao (ANR). In celebration of this milestone, the Film Heritage Foundation, in collaboration with the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) and the National Film Archive of India, is organizing the ‘ANR 100 – King of the Silver Screen’ Film Festival. The grand opening of this festival featured a screening of ANR’s iconic film “Devadasu,” attended by fans and family members.
The festival will showcase several landmark films of ANR, including “Devadasu” (1953), “Missamma” (1955), “Maya Bazar” (1957), “Bharya Bhartalu” (1961), “Gundamma Katha” (1962), “Doctor Chakravarthi” (1964), “Sudigundalu” (1968), “Prem Nagar” (1971), “Premabhishekam” (1981), and “Manam” (2014), across the country. The Film Heritage Foundation, in collaboration with Annapurna Studios, took the initiative to restore these ten masterpieces in 4K quality, allowing audiences to experience these classics in stunning quality.
During the press meet, King Nagarjuna expressed his happiness, saying, “Greetings to everyone. My father taught us about life with a smile, and that’s why we smile when we remember him. I thank Shivendra for his efforts. In addition to ‘Devadas,’ other films will also be screened, and the black-and-white prints are remarkable. It will be a wonderful experience for the audience. This festival is happening in 31 cities, and hearing about the fantastic response from the North, as Shivendra mentioned, brings me immense joy. The Goa International Film Festival is dedicating a chapter in my father’s name, which makes me very happy. I also extend my gratitude to Postmaster General BS Reddy for releasing the stamp on this centenary day. Thank you to everyone who participated in this celebration. On this occasion, senior fans of my father in both Telugu states have conducted noble activities such as blood donation and food distribution. A heartfelt thank you to all of them. Your love and admiration are unforgettable. We present the ANR Award every two years, and this year, we have decided to bestow it on Chiranjeevi garu. When we informed him, he became emotional and hugged me, saying it was a great honor to receive the award in ANR’s centenary year, considering it the greatest award. Amitabh Bachchan will present the award, and the function is scheduled for October 28. Thank you, everyone.”
Murali Mohan also expressed his gratitude to the Akkineni family, saying, “I thank the Akkineni family for giving me the opportunity to be part of ANR’s centenary celebrations. I have been a fan of Akkineni garu since childhood, and I consider myself lucky to have had the chance to act alongside him. He was a dedicated actor, and I was fortunate to act in the first film produced by his banner. The credit for bringing the film industry to Hyderabad goes to him. He will always remain with us. Thank you, everyone.”
Venkat Akkineni added, “On my father’s centenary, the government has released a postal stamp, which was illustrated by Bapu garu, capturing all of my father’s qualities. I extend my gratitude to them. Cabinet Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and Chandrashekhar garu planned and released it today, and I thank them sincerely.”
Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, speaking about the event, said, “I am thankful to Nagarjuna garu and the Akkineni family for this great opportunity. This festival is being celebrated in 31 cities across the country. It’s a historic day, and over the next three days, audiences across the country will watch ten classic ANR films. Preserving this heritage is our collective responsibility.”
Director K. Raghavendra Rao said, “The Akkineni and Kovalamudi families are not separate. ANR garu, my father, myself, and Nagarjuna have all journeyed together. ANR garu left a legacy with Annapurna Studios in Hyderabad, creating employment for many. He gave us classics like ‘Devadas,’ ‘Kalidas,’ and ‘Vipranarayana.’ His acting and films are unmatched, and I was fortunate to work with both the father and son. Wherever he is, ANR garu will always be with us.”
Joint Collector Sanjay said, “It is a joy to celebrate the legendary ANR garu’s years in cinema. He remains an inspiration for generations, and the Indian government will celebrate his centenary at this year’s International Film Festival. ANR garu’s blessings will always be with us, and I am happy to be part of this celebration. Thank you, everyone.”
Yarlagadda Lakshmi Prasad shared his thoughts, saying, “I express my gratitude to the Akkineni family and fans. In 1955, ANR garu donated one lakh rupees to build a college in Gudivada, even though an acre of land there cost only two thousand rupees at the time. Despite having only twenty-five thousand rupees, he took a loan of seventy-five thousand to contribute the full amount. He supported many educational institutions and provided financial aid to numerous poor students. He even built a bridge over Budameru. Despite all the good he did, he never sought publicity. ANR garu was a great human being.”
The grand event was attended by Akkineni Naga Chaitanya, Akkineni Akhil, Sumanth, Sushanth, Amala Akkineni, Naga Suseela, Supriya Yarlagadda, and other members of the Akkineni family.
