Akkineni Nageswara Rao was born in Ramapuram, Andhra Pradesh, India, on 20th September 1923.
He was an Indian producer, actor and philanthropist who was renowned for his works in Telugu and Tamil cinema.
Personal Life:
Akkineni Nageswara Rao was born in Andhra Pradesh, in a middle class family. On 18th February 1949, he got married to Annapurna Kollipara and the couple had 5 children and 11 grandchildren, the majority of whom are active participants in films and his business practises.
He was Chief Donor and President of the Gudivada College, which was later named as Akkineni Nageswara Rao College.
Career:
He entered the field of fine arts at the age of 10. He was noticed in Vijaywada Railway Station by legendary filmmaker Ghantasala, Balaramaiah, who offered him the leading role in Seeta Rama Jananam, the cult classic film.
Before this film, he played a supporting role, but this film took him to the public eye. A career spanning more than seven decades, he has acted in over 250 films, including Telugu, Tamil and Hindi.
In his successful career, he portrayed a multitude of characters. From supporting roles to main roles to comedian roles.
One of his unique roles is his involvement in Devadasu, which was a cult-classic film. His fans named him Natasamrat. He has been praised on his performance with several awards, including Padma Shri, Padma Bhusan and the Dada Saheb Phalke Award.
He has engaged profoundly in several charitable trusts and has founded his own non charitable trusts such as the Akkineni International Foundation and the Annapurna International Film and Media School.
Illness & Death Info:
Akkineni Nageswara Rao died in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India, on January 22nd, 2014. He had colon cancer. He was filming for the film Manam before his death.
He was incremated with full state honours at Annapurna Studios on January 23rd, 2014, in the wake of a 21-gun salute.
Awards & Honours:
Civilian Awards:
In 1968 - Padma Shri
In 2011 - Padma Vibhushan
In 1988 - Padma Bhushan
National Film Awards:
In 1991 - Dada Saheb Phalke Award
In 1968 - Filmfare Best Film Award (Telugu) – Sudigundalu
In 1973 - Best Actor – Telugu – Marapurani Manishi
In 1987 - Best Actor – Telugu – Aatma Bandhuvulu
In 1988 - Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South
In 1991 - Best Actor – Telugu – Seetharamaiah Gari Manavaralu
Nandi Awards:
In 1989 - Raghupathi Venkaiah Award
In 1996 - NTR National Award
Nandi Award for Best Actor:
In 1964 - Dr. Chakravarthy
In 1965 - Antastulu
In 1967 - Sudigundalu
In 1982 - Meghasandesam
In 1994 - Bangaru Kutumbam
Other state honours:
Kalidasu Kaustubh from Madhya Pradesh State
Appointed as an adviser to the State Film Development Corporation.
In 1992 - Tamil Nadu State Film Honorary Award – Arignar Anna Award
