Today, September 20, 2023, is Dr. Akkineni Nageswara Rao's (ANR) 100th birthday. He was a renowned actor who lived from 1924 until 2014.
Panchaloha statueof Akkineni was unveiled in ANR's Annapurna Studios on this occasion of the 100th anniversary by the former vice president of India, Sri Venkaiah Naidu, to start the celebrations.
I remember calling this famous ANR, starting a conversation over coffee at his home, and inviting him to be the guest of honour at our Company Secretary Family Fellowship meeting in Hyderabad on January 1, 1996, the day I assumed chairmanship of the Hyderabad Chapter of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India.
I continue to preserve the ANR telugu book "Akkineni Aalochanalu" that he gave me on this occasion in my library. In the pic, my contemperors CS Hanumanta Raju Datla & CS Sudhir Babu C looks on and shared the dias with ANR.
I displayed all of my awards and mementos in my office showcase, which I have had for 50 years. This concept was modelled from ANR's hall of fame.
I pay my respects to the great actor on the occasion of Dr. Akkineni Nageswara Rao's centenary celebrations. In addition to Telugu cinema, he is a great actor in Indian cinema history. Through the hundreds of Telugu films he has been in, his acting abilities have made a long-lasting impact on both me and the Telugu audience.
Your today's early morning message, mingled with your past and pleasant recollections and tinged with your keenest reminiscence of your meeting with such a legendary actor, is refreshing to my mind, to read, and serves me as a source of inspiration today. It reflects your ecstasy and delight on recollecting that event.
So great is your hero-worship-and true, sincere and hearty one. He still lives in the hearts of people and is immortal.
ANR was one of almost legendary fame. No one could so easily have got an opportunity to share a dais with such cine magnate and matinee idol of his times. You are very fortunate to have had that opportunity.
There is no Telugu man or South Indian…