On October 28, the prestigious ANR Award Ceremony will honor the monumental legacy of the legendary actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao (ANR) on what would have been his 100th birth anniversary. In an event that promises grandeur, Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan will present the award to Telugu film megastar Padma Vibhushan Chiranjeevi, celebrating his extraordinary contributions to Indian cinema.
Last month, the Akkineni family paid homage to ANR's legacy in a grand celebration on September 20, where the Government of India unveiled a commemorative postal stamp in ANR's honor. The event brought together the Akkineni family and a host of celebrated guests who shared fond memories of ANR, one of Telugu cinema's greatest icons.
The ANR Award, which has honored cinematic legends like Dev Anand, Lata Mangeshkar, Shabana Azmi, and S.S. Rajamouli, will now be conferred upon Chiranjeevi. Chiranjeevi Garu, only the second Telugu artist to receive the Padma Vibhushan (after ANR himself in 2011), was formally invited by Nagarjuna, ANR’s son, to the ceremony. Nagarjuna also expressed his excitement on social media, sharing, “This year is extra special as we celebrate the 100th birth anniversary of my father, ANR garu! 🎉 Honoured to invite @SrBachchan ji and Megastar @KChiruTweets garu to the ANR Awards 2024 to mark this milestone! 🙏 Let’s make this award function unforgettable! 🙌 #ANRLivesOn #ANRNationalAward #ANR100Years.”
Photos shared by Nagarjuna capture a warm moment between him and Chiranjeevi, reflecting the camaraderie and respect they share. The event, organized by Annapurna Studios, will gather luminaries from across the Indian film industry, making it an unforgettable evening celebrating ANR's legacy.
With a guest list that includes notable stars, the ceremony will be a grand tribute not only to ANR's indelible mark on Indian cinema but also to the artistry and impact of Chiranjeevi, who has inspired generations of cinephiles and creators alike.
