The ANR Awards 2024 are set to take place on October 28 in Hyderabad, marking a momentous occasion for the Akkineni family and the world of Telugu cinema. This year, the ceremony holds a special significance as it coincides with the centenary celebrations of the legendary actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao (ANR). Adding to the grandeur of the event, Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan will bestow this year’s ANR Award upon the Telugu film industry’s stalwart, Chiranjeevi.
In an exclusive conversation with The Hindu during a filming session at Annapurna Studios in Hyderabad, actor-producer Nagarjuna Akkineni shed light on the essence and purpose of the ANR Awards. According to Nagarjuna, the awards aim to recognize the indelible contributions made to Indian cinema. Reflecting on past honorees, he highlighted director SS Rajamouli, stating, “Rajamouli has elevated Indian cinema to the global stage. While Indian films have previously won international accolades, the commercial success has not always followed. Rajamouli has bridged that gap.”
Discussing the selection of Chiranjeevi as this year’s award recipient, Nagarjuna remarked, “Chiranjeevi is intertwined with the history of Telugu cinema. My father, ANR, championed cinema as a form of universal entertainment, something not confined to a niche audience. Chiranjeevi’s films enjoy national recognition, and his charitable endeavors, such as his blood bank, showcase a holistic approach to societal contribution.”
As part of the celebrations honoring ANR’s legacy, a statue of the icon was unveiled at Annapurna Studios earlier this year, alongside the release of a special postal stamp. Furthermore, ten of ANR’s classic Telugu films, meticulously restored by the Film Heritage Foundation in collaboration with the National Film Archives of India (NFAI), have been showcased in theaters across the country.
Nagarjuna elaborated on the ongoing film restoration efforts, recalling a pivotal workshop hosted by Annapurna Studios and the Film Heritage Foundation in 2019. Since then, significant strides have been made to preserve Telugu classics. However, he lamented the poor storage of many Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi films. “The restoration of a single print can amount to nearly ₹80 lakh, and original copies are often challenging to locate,” he explained.
Sharing insights into the complexities of film restoration, Nagarjuna mentioned his 1989 cinematic outing, “Geethanjali,” directed by Mani Ratnam. “The negatives of the film are deteriorated, and what we are left with is merely poor-quality television recordings. Transforming these into a 4K digital format is a laborious task.
. If the films from the ’80s are in such a state, one can only imagine the plight of even older classics.” He fondly recalled the arduous task of restoring his father’s film “Devadasu,” describing the process as akin to “traveling through a time portal,” noting that both visuals and audio were meticulously revitalized.
From ANR’s extensive filmography, 21 films have undergone restoration, with 10 selected for public screenings. Efforts continue to preserve more of his works. Luckily, ANR ensured the proper storage of the films he produced, a practice continued by Annapurna Studios for its productions.
When asked about making the restored films available on digital platforms, Nagarjuna explained that the films are now part of the NFAI’s repository. Discussions are underway to secure permissions for showcasing them on the Annapurna Studios website, although existing satellite rights with television channels may impose certain limitations. However, he revealed that NFAI is contemplating launching its own platform or channel to allow viewers to pay and access restored classics across various languages.
Continuing his father’s vision is an ongoing mission for Nagarjuna, who highlighted recent advancements at Annapurna Studios, notably the establishment of a Virtual Production Stage. Future plans include the integration of cutting-edge post-production technologies. He identified artificial intelligence (AI) as a transformative asset in the creative process, citing its use in generating Amitabh Bachchan’s voice for the Telugu film “Kalki” as a groundbreaking example. He expressed optimism about AI’s potential across every facet of filmmaking, from writing to music to post-production.
Nagarjuna also discussed the Annapurna College of Film and Media’s impact, noting that many of its alumni have become successful writers, directors, and technicians. The college-produced Telugu film “Aarambham” received widespread praise, and several short films crafted by current students have been submitted to international film festivals.
Finally, turning his attention toward upcoming projects, Nagarjuna shared his enthusiasm for his roles in director Lokesh Kanagaraj’s “Coolie,” headlined by superstar Rajinikanth, and director Sekhar Kammula’s “Kubera,” alongside actor Dhanush. Reflecting on his experiences with the directors, Nagarjuna described working with Lokesh as a fulfilled aspiration, having admired films like “Kaithi” and “Vikram.” He also expressed his fondness for Sekhar Kammula’s distinct sensibilities, noting the learning journey it entailed, as he embraced a naturalistic style in contrast to his usual charismatic screen persona.
The ANR Awards 2024 promises not only to honor the legendary contributions of ANR and Chiranjeevi but also to spotlight the lasting impact of Telugu cinema on the cultural landscape. As Telugu cinema continues to evolve, blending traditional storytelling with innovative technology, the future remains bright and full of promise.
