In a tribute fitting for a cinematic legend, a retrospective film festival titled ANR 100: King of the Silver Screen is set to honor the illustrious career of the iconic actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao (ANR). The festival, which coincides with the doyen’s 100th birthday on September 20, has been organized by his family in collaboration with the Film Heritage Foundation, National Film Development Corporation, National Film Archive of India, and PVR-Inox. It promises to be a grand celebration of ANR’s contributions to cinema, showcasing 10 of his most memorable films.
The selected films, all restored classics, will be screened across 25 cities in India from September 20 to 22. The cities include Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, Vadodara, Jalandhar, Rourkela, Warangal, Kakinada, and Tumkur, among others. The films to be screened are Devadasu (1953), Missamma (1955), Mayabazar (1957), Bharya Bharthalu (1961), Gundamma Katha (1962), Doctor Chakravarthi (1964), Sudigundalu (1968), Prem Nagar (1971), Premabhishekam (1981), and Manam (2014). These films are a testament to ANR’s versatility and his ability to captivate audiences over multiple decades.
Shivendra Singh Dungarpur from the Film Heritage Foundation, reflecting on the festival, expressed his pride and excitement. “This festival follows the successful retrospectives of Amitabh Bachchan, Dilip Kumar, and Dev Anand. The selection of films in this retrospective, from 1953 to 2014, includes some of ANR’s biggest hits, which continue to resonate with people after decades.”
Highlighting his father’s monumental achievements, Nagarjuna Akkineni shared his thoughts. “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 who 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.
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Reflecting on his association with ANR, Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan, who has closely associated himself with the Film Heritage Foundation, recalled being struck by ANR’s 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.” Bachchan’s words underscore the larger-than-life impact ANR had, not just on Telugu cinema but on Indian cinema as a whole.
Akkineni Nageswara Rao, fondly remembered as ANR, had a career spanning 71 years where he donned many hats—actor and producer among them. His vast filmography extends across languages including Telugu, Hindi, and Tamil, with more than 250 films to his credit. ANR’s portrayal of characters in his movies contributed significantly to the evolution of Indian cinema. His masterful performance in Devadasu, where he brought the poignant character of Devadas to life, is often cited as one of the greatest performances in Indian cinema.
Missamma showcased his flair for comedy and romance, while the mythological film Mayabazar immortalized him as the charming Abhimanyu. Bharya Bharthalu and Gundamma Katha further cemented his legend, exhibiting his range from intense drama to family entertainer. Doctor Chakravarthi highlighted his ability to bring depth to complex characters, a trait he carried forward to Sudigundalu and Prem Nagar. In Premabhishekam, he brilliantly portrayed the tragic lover, a role that remains etched in the hearts of cinema lovers. Closing the festival will be Manam, a film that stands as a beautiful swansong to ANR’s illustrious career, featuring three generations of the Akkineni family, representing the legacy he left behind.
This grand retrospective not only celebrates ANR’s centenary but also serves as an educative experience for new-age audiences to witness the grandeur and gravitas of classic Telugu cinema. It offers a unique chance for fans and cinephiles alike to relive the magic that ANR brought to the screen, reaffirming why he is celebrated as the King of the Silver Screen.
In summary, the ANR 100: King of the Silver Screen festival stands as a remarkable homage to the unparalleled journey of Akkineni Nageswara Rao, a journey that continues to inspire and captivate cinema lovers across generations.
