Akkineni Nageswara Rao (20 September 1924 – 22 January 2014), widely known as ANR, was an Indian actor and film producer, primarily known for his works in Telugu cinema. Over his seven decade career, he starred in numerous landmark films, becoming one of the most prominent figures in the industry. Nageswara Rao received numerous accolades, including seven state Nandi Awards, five Filmfare Awards South and a Tamil Nadu State Film Award. He was honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest recognition in Indian cinema, in 1990. Additionally, he was awarded the Padma Vibhushan (2011), Padma Bhushan (1988) and Padma Shri (1968), by the Government of India for his contributions to art and cinema.
Nageswara Rao was particularly known for his roles in biographical films. He portrayed the Tamil saint Vipra Narayana in Vipra Narayana (1954), the Telugu poet Tenali Ramakrishna in Tenali Ramakrishna (1956), which received the All India Certificate of Merit for Best Feature Film, the Sanskrit poet Kalidasa in Mahakavi Kalidasu (1960), the 12th-century poet Jayadeva in Bhakta Jayadeva (1961), the legendary sculptor Jakanachari in Amarasilpi Jakkanna (1964), the Marathi saint Tukaram in Bhakta Tukaram (1971), the 15th-century mystic poet Kabir in Sri Ramadasu (2006), and the Sanskrit poet Valmiki in Sri Rama Rajyam (2009). He also portrayed mythological figures such as Lord Vishnu in Chenchu Lakshmi (1958), Narada in Bhookailas (1958), and Arjuna in Sri Krishnarjuna Yuddhamu (1963).
Nageswara Rao is also remembered for his performances in romantic dramas, including Laila Majnu (1949), Devadasu (1953), Anarkali (1955), Batasari (1961), Mooga Manasulu (1964), Prema Nagar (1971), Premabhishekam (1981), and Meghasandesam (1982). He also starred in the blockbusters Balaraju (1948), Keelu Gurram (1949), Ardhangi (1955), Donga Ramudu (1955), Mangalya Balam (1958), Gundamma Katha (1962), Doctor Chakravarty (1964), Dharma Daata (1970), and Dasara Bullodu (1971).
He played a pivotal role in the relocation of the Telugu film industry from Madras to Hyderabad in the 1970s. To support the growing industry in Hyderabad, he established Annapurna Studios in 1976. Later, in 2011, he founded the Annapurna College of Film and Media within Annapurna Studios. His last film, Manam (2014), was released posthumously and was featured at the 45th International Film Festival of India in the Homage to ANR section. Nageswara Rao died on 22 January 2014, during the production of Manam.
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