Hyderabad
September 19, 2008

A true visionary of Tollywood
Truly living legend of Tollywood, its guding spirit and considered one of its eyes, Dr. Akkineni Nageswara Rao, is into his 85th birthday. For the people of Andhra Pradesh and Telugus worldwide, ANR's legacy is as old as the hills and rivers of the state. A contemporary and rival (from the point of view of yesteryears' fans) of late NT Rama Rao, there is nothing on the screen which this octogenarian celluloid icon has not missed. His magical initials ANR should go ahead of any auspicious function in the Telugu film industry. Any tinsel event – marriage, elections of associations, rally for killing piracy, cultural programs or big felicitation – without ANR is like an empty or just half-filled vessel. The versatile actor reflects the golden era of the 75-year-old Telugu film industry, he remains the best witness to the urge and achievement of the film fraternity to have its self-reliance, leading to the migration from the erstwhile Madras to Bhagyanagar. Idlebrain.com takes delight in wishing the actor of kingly versatility – Many happy returns of the day with greater health and happiness.

Well-wisher of the underdog
Call it boredom or monotony, ANR chose to repeat umpteen number of times the words like hard work and discipline. But each time he spells the ethics, the audience are invariably spellbound. There is no genre or character which he has not touched. The younger generation of the film industry in fact consider hearing the words of this actor as a boon. Whenever he makes his appearance on the TVs, the audience of the yore and yesteryear's own ANR. There are still lakhs of women for whom ANR is still the hero of their dreams. His dialogue delivery, dances and modulation make him a Polestar on the Indian film panorama. He is the first and foremost Indian artiste to constitute a honorary award in his name, primarily intended to felicitate the talented and forgotten artistes of merit. Many a time, he mooted the idea of providing the roti, kapda and makan to the poor and downtrodden artistes. ANR is perhaps the last and true admirer to the stagecraft, wholeheartedly wishing its resurrection.

Mix of humor and agony
Recently, ANR came down heavily on the vulgarity in films, mired in double errands. He suggested premier comedy for the longevity of Telugu films. The greatest trait in him is that he holds excellent sense of humor. On many occasions, sharing the dais with young beautiful heroines, ANR expressed his desire to dance with them. He would even title the film of such happening as "Musali Mogudu Padachu Pellam." He would often sends the audience (of his times) into peals of laughter and holding the young guys in admiration for him, his energy and romanticity. It is high time our comedians took ANR's passionate advice seriously.

Polestar in his own right
Another significant attack from ANR is that he shunned mold-like characterisations and preferred versatility on the screen. He further deplored that the working style among the artistes is passing through narrow caves. There were times when he took to heart the absence of multi-starers and polarisation of fans segments. Time and again; and to be more recent at swearing in ceremony of the MAA new body, he warned the film fraternity against the evils of disunity.

This year's birthday brings very special things to ANR. His grandson Naga Chaitanya is making his debut as hero.