The highly anticipated ANR Awards 2024 are set to take place on October 28 in Hyderabad, marking a momentous occasion for actor-producer Nagarjuna Akkineni and his family. This year’s ceremony is especially significant as it coincides with the centenary celebrations of late Akkineni Nageswara Rao (ANR), a towering figure in Indian cinema. A highlight of this event will be the presentation of the prestigious ANR Award by veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan to Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi.
In an exclusive conversation with The Hindu at Annapurna Studios, Hyderabad, Nagarjuna Akkineni shed light on the importance of the ANR Awards and their role in celebrating outstanding contributions to Indian cinema. He recalled the recognition of past recipients, such as acclaimed director SS Rajamouli, for elevating Indian films to a global platform. “Rajamouli has achieved what was once thought impossible,” stated Nagarjuna, noting that while Indian films have previously enjoyed international acclaim, their impact was largely absent at a commercial level until Rajamouli’s groundbreaking work.
This year, the choice of Chiranjeevi as a recipient of the ANR Award underscores his indelible impact on Telugu cinema and beyond. Reflecting on this selection, Nagarjuna commented, “Chiranjeevi is woven into the fabric of Telugu cinema history. My father held the belief that cinema is a universal form of entertainment, accessible to all. Chiranjeevi’s films receive nationwide recognition, and his contributions to society — like his blood bank and charitable initiatives — embody a comprehensive approach to giving back.”
The legacy of Akkineni Nageswara Rao is further celebrated through centenary events, including the unveiling of a statue at Annapurna Studios earlier this year and the release of a commemorative postal stamp. Additionally, ten of ANR’s timeless Telugu classics, meticulously restored by the Film Heritage Foundation in collaboration with the National Film Archives of India (NFAI), were screened in theatres throughout India, bringing the magic of these films to modern audiences.
Annapurna Studios, under Nagarjuna’s stewardship, has been pivotal in efforts to restore Telugu classics. A film restoration workshop hosted by the studio in 2019 was a launchpad for ongoing restoration efforts. “The melancholy truth is that many Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi films have not been maintained in good condition. Restoring a film print can demand up to ₹80 lakh, and frequently, the original prints are irretrievable,” Nagarjuna explained.
He cited the challenging process of restoring his iconic 1989 film “Geethanjali,” a musical romance directed by Mani Ratnam. “The negatives are riddled with damage, and the positives are lost. The version we see on television is poor in quality. Transitioning it into a 4K digital format is a laborious endeavor. Considering the condition of films from the 1980s, one can only imagine the state of even older classics. Restoring my father’s ‘Devadasu’ was particularly arduous, but seeing it anew felt like traveling through time,” he said.
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Currently, 21 films from ANR’s illustrious career have been restored, with ten selected by the family for public exhibition. Several more projects are underway. Nagarjuna took pride in noting that his father ensured the films he produced were preserved well, a practice that continues at Annapurna Studios.
When discussing future accessibility of these restored gems, Nagarjuna mentioned that these films are now part of NFAI’s archive. There are ongoing discussions about making them available on the Annapurna Studios website. He acknowledged the complexities posed by the satellite rights owned by television networks but hinted at a potential solution: a dedicated platform or channel by NFAI that could allow viewers to stream these restored classics for a fee.
Nagarjuna remains committed to advancing his father’s legacy, continually evolving practices at Annapurna Studios. He highlighted recent upgrades, such as the Virtual Production Stage, alongside plans to integrate cutting-edge post-production technologies. He sees artificial intelligence as a promising frontier for creative enhancement across various aspects of filmmaking. “We saw AI’s potential when Amitabh Bachchan’s voice was generated for ‘Kalki’ in Telugu. This could revolutionize how actors work across languages. From writing to music and beyond, AI can be leveraged creatively,” he stated.
In recognition of the enduring impact of Annapurna College of Film and Media, Nagarjuna celebrated achievements by its students and alumni, including acclaimed productions like “Aarambham” and internationally acknowledged short films. Their successes reflect the robust educational framework that nurtures future talent in cinema.
Turning to his own projects, Nagarjuna shared his enthusiasm for upcoming films, including the Tamil movie “Coolie” directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj and starring Rajinikanth. With laughter, he recounted manifesting the opportunity after appreciating Kanagaraj’s works “Kaithi” and “Vikram.” Having spent fifteen days filming for “Coolie,” he finds the experience fulfilling.
He also mentioned his role in Sekhar Kammula’s film “Kubera,” alongside actor Dhanush. Describing his character as contrasting with the one in “Coolie,” Nagarjuna expressed admiration for Kammula’s unique vision. “Sekhar encourages me to shed conventional mannerisms. It’s been a journey of discovery and growth,” he concluded.
