Nagarjuna completed 20 years as an actor today. The producers of Nagarjuna organized a felicitation function in the preview theater of Prasad Labs in the leadership of K Raghavendra Rao. Incidentally 23rd May also happens to be the 63rd birthday of K Raghavendra Rao. This function is attended by ANR, D Rama Naidu, Mohan Babu, Sumanth, Amala, Aswini Dutt, Jayabheri Kishore, KL Narayana, Murali Mohan, Venkat Akkineni, Yarlagadda Surendra, Arjuna Raju, JK Bharavi, Puri Jagan, YVS Chowdary, Vakada Appa Rao, Paruchuri Gopala Krishna and Chalasani Ramesh.

K Raghavendra Rao strikes a balance between Art and Commerce - ANR
ANR said, “I used to observe K Raghavendra Rao and his brother attending school when we travel from T Nagar to Mylapur in Chennai. KS Prakasa Rao – father of K Raghavendra Rao – was one of the heroes of first generation of Telugu cinema. Later on he became the director, producer and studio owner. I used to like the films directed by KS Prakasa Rao. He did a realistic film titled ‘Kanna Talli’ with me. I feel that Kanna Talli is better made film than Devadasu. My wife loved K Raghavendra Rao’s second film Jyothi and recommended it to me. Later on K Raghavendra Rao shifted into commercial format. I used to feel bit uncomfortable looking at K Raghavendra Rao’s style of songs picturization where camera is focuses on the novel of the heroine. I expressed my concern about the same to K Raghavendra Rao and he justified it by saying that he would make films that bring money to the producer by keeping his personal preferences aside. K Raghavendra Rao learnt this lesson from his father who did only realistic films without bothering about commercial elements. K Raghavendra Rao is a fine example of the filmmaker who strikes a balance between art and commerce. He made classic devotional films like Annamayya and Sri Ramadasu with Nagarjuna. I wish that he would make Kalidasu film with Nagarjuna soon.”

Nagarjuna has become full fledged artist with Sri Ramadasu - ANR
ANR also added, “I noticed ease in Nagarjuna’s performance for the first time in ‘Hello Brother’ film. With Sri Ramadasu, Nagarjuna proved himself to be full-fledged artist. Nagarjuna did well in the extended climax of Sri Ramadasu film.”

Nagarjuna has global features in his appearance – Mohan Babu
MAA President Mohan Babu said, “Nagarjuna is my friend and well-wisher. ANR commented about junta’s comment about Nagarjuna having features of North Indian guy. I do proudly say that Nagarjuna has global features in him. Nagarjuna has a very good helping nature. He accepted to do a guest role in Adhipati film even without knowing what the character is. He also gave me good conduct certificate when certain heroines expressed their concern to work with me in the past.”

Nagarjuna is my favorite hero – C Aswini Dutt
Producer C Aswini Dutt said, “Nagarjuna is my favorite hero. K Raghavendra Rao should continue making films and should complete 200 films soon.”

I will produce Jesus with Nagarjuna and K Raghavendra Rao – Murali Mohan
Murali Mohan said, “I had my first make-up test in Chennai with KS Prakasa Rao (father of K Raghavendra Rao). I did a guest role in K Raghavendra Rao’s first directorial venture Babu. I did hero role in K Raghavendra Rao’s second film Jyothy. We did three films with Nagarjuna as hero. I am willing to produce a film on Jesus if K Raghavendra Rao and Nagarjuna are willing to work for it.”

Nagarjuna stood behind me during the time of crisis – KL Narayana
In an emotional way, KL Narayana said, “I met Nagarjuna for the first time in 1990. I produced two good films with Nagarjuna as hero. I remember the pre-release phase of Hello Brother. Nagarjuna was traveling to abroad during the release time. He called me and assured me not to worry. He did not even take the remaining part of the payment for Hello Brother. He stood behind me during the time of crisis and I would never forget it. Nagarjuna is not only a good friend, but also a good human being.”

Story writer JK Bharavi expressed his wish to write script for ANR and Sumanth as Rama Krishna Paramahamsa and Vivekananda respectively.

Nagarjuna acts as guiding light for us – Sumanth
Actor Sumanth said, “Nagarjuna is the only trendsetter and he has many milestones in his career. All actors from young generation take Nagarjuna as guiding light.”

My fans stood like a steady rock with me - Nagarjuna

Thanking everybody Nagarjuna said, “I completed 20 years in film industry and worked in 75 films. Everybody is talking about Annamayya and Sri Ramadasu now. When I came back from USA after completing engineering, it was my brother Venkat who suggested me to act in films. I hesitantly let my intention known to my father. He also encouraged me. I would like to bow before all my producers and my directors who encouraged me. My fans stood like a steady rock with me through thick and thin times. I am never alone when I have such fans like them. As an actor, I am very emotional and sensitive. It is Amala who greets me with a smiling face whenever I go home. Thanks to her. Everybody in Telugu film industry is a well wisher of me. Telugu film industry is a corruption free industry. People watch films only if the film is good. Only talent stands out here, not the family lineage or the money. I am really proud to be a part of Telugu film industry.”

Suma anchored this event. A small presentation prepared by K Raghavendra Rao on the career on Nagarjuna was screened in the beginning of the function. Nagarjuna, YVS Chowdary and K Raghavendra Rao celebrated this moment by cutting cakes.

Check out a write up on Nagarjuna on this eve