A retrospective film festival titled **ANR 100: King of the Silver Screen** is set to honor the legendary actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao, commonly known as ANR. As a tribute to celebrate the doyen’s 100th birthday on September 20, ANR’s family, in collaboration with the Film Heritage Foundation, National Film Development Corporation, National Film Archive of India, and PVR-Inox, will screen 10 of his most celebrated films. The screenings will occur from September 20 to 22 across 25 cities including Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, Vadodara, Jalandhar, Rourkela, Warangal, Kakinada, and Tumkur.
The meticulously restored cinematic gems include the following:
– **Devadasu (1953)**
– **Missamma (1955)**
– **Mayabazar (1957)**
– **Bharya Bharthalu (1961)**
– **Gundamma Katha (1962)**
– **Doctor Chakravarthi (1964)**
– **Sudigundalu (1968)**
– **Prem Nagar (1971)**
– **Premabhishekam (1981)**
– **Manam (2014)**
Shivendra Singh Dungarpur from the Film Heritage Foundation noted that this festival follows the success of similar retrospective events that honored prominent actors such as Amitabh Bachchan, Dilip Kumar, and Dev Anand. He remarked, “The selection of films in this retrospective, from 1953 to 2014, includes some of ANR’s biggest hits, which continue to resonate with people even decades later.” Indeed, the legacy of ANR stands tall in the annals of Indian cinema, with these selected works epitomizing the pinnacle of his illustrious career.
A notable figure in Telugu cinema, Akkineni Nageswara Rao’s versatile talent allowed him to excel in a wide array of roles, ranging from spiritual saints to romantic heroes and even intense characters grappling with alcoholism. His performances in films such as **Devadasu**, **Premabhishekam**, **Doctor Chakravarthi**, and **Sudigundalu** have been etched into the collective memory of audiences, cementing his status as a beloved icon. Actor Nagarjuna Akkineni, his son, recalled, “My father was rightly called Natasamrat for his ability to play a range of roles – from a saint to an alcoholic to a romantic hero – in a way that has stayed in people’s hearts for decades. His performances in Devadasu, Premabhishekam, Doctor Chakravarthi and Sudigundalu are loved even today. He was a pioneer; he established Annapurna Studios, laying the first foundation for the Telugu film industry in our State. We are proud of his legacy and through this festival, audiences across the country will remember an icon of Indian cinema. We would like to preserve this legacy so that people will remember him for another 100 years.”
The festival’s broader significance is underscored by the involvement of Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan, who has had a longstanding association with the Film Heritage Foundation.
. Reflecting on his interactions with ANR, Bachchan shared, “I was struck by his humility and simplicity. This is the first time a retrospective on this scale has been done for Telugu cinema. The festival will give contemporary audiences an opportunity to experience ANR’s screen presence, versatility and range.” In a career that spanned an awe-inspiring 71 years, ANR worked in more than 250 films, contributing significantly to the Telugu, Hindi, and Tamil film industries as both an actor and a producer.
To delve deeper into the impact of ANR’s cinematic contributions, one must consider how these films broke new ground. **Devadasu**, directed by Vedantam Raghavaiah, showcased ANR’s brilliant portrayal of a tragic hero, a role that has stood the test of time and influenced generations of actors. **Missamma**, a comedy-drama directed by L.V. Prasad, featured ANR in a light-hearted yet complex role opposite the legendary Savitri, making it a classic favorite. **Mayabazar**, directed by Kadiri Venkata Reddy, is often hailed as one of the greatest Indian films of all time, with ANR’s role complementing a robust ensemble cast in this mythological epic.
Akkineni Nageswara Rao not only left an indelible mark on the screen but also off-screen through the establishment of Annapurna Studios. This studio became a foundational stone for the Telugu film industry, underlining ANR’s vision and commitment to advancing Indian cinema.
As audiences prepare to revisit these masterpieces in theaters, the festival promises an enriched experience for both longtime fans and new viewers. By preserving and showcasing these classics, the **ANR 100: King of the Silver Screen** festival aims to keep the legacy of Akkineni Nageswara Rao alive for future generations, ensuring that his monumental contributions to Indian cinema continue to be celebrated and remembered for years to come.
