"LIFE IS FUNNY : NOW COMES A TWIST" - ANR
The
legendary actor of Telugu film industry Akkineni Nageswara Rao died
battling cancer today. ANR’s condition worsened at around 2.10 am today
and was taken to Care hospital for treatment. He breathed his last in
the hospital at 2.45 am. He was 91.From paddy fields, he strode into
the field of fine arts through theatre. He became a famous stage
artiste, specialising, surprisingly, in playing female characters.
ANR
had complained of stomach ache on October 8 and was taken to two
different hospitals. After a thorough examination and conducting various
tests, the cancer was detected. He was diagnosed with cancer of the
intestine. The 90-year-old actor revealed about the cancer diagnosis in a
dramatic manner at a press conference that he called for. He talked
about himself and his acting career for sometime and said: "Life is
funny. Now comes a twist."
ANR died in Care hospital, Hyderabad. He is survived by three daughters and two sons.
Akkineni Nageshwara Rao, better known as ANR to Andhra Pradesh people was born
on September 20, 1924 in Venkata Raghavapuram in Krishna district. He
was awarded Padma Bhushan in 1988. He also received Padma Sree and
Raghupati Venkaiah awards earlier. He is presently acting in Manam movie
which is in its shooting stage. Nagarjuna and Naga Chaitanya are also
acting in the movie. He was suffering from cancer since few days. his
condition became worse at 2.10 am today and he was shifted to Care
hospital. He was treated for ten minutes but breathed his last at around
2.45 am. Care hospital doctors confirmed his death. His body was
shifted to his residence. At around 9.00 am his mortal remains will be
taken to the Annapurna Studio.
Akkineni
Nageswara Rao is one of the first generation actors in Telugu. His
first movie Dharmapatni was released in 1941. He acted in nearly 256
films. He also acted in some Hindi films which include many mythological
and folk films. He worked hard for the shifting of Telugu film
industry to come to Hyderabad. He received three Filmfare awards.
He won state government Nandi Awards for Bangaru Kutumbam and Megha
Sandesam films. He was the first actor to play double role in Telugu.
Akkineni
Nageswara Rao’s career started on stage. He played female roles also on
stage. He acted in his first film Darmapatni which was released in
1941. From then he played many types of roles. Some of his hit films
are Tenali Rama Krishna, Devdas, Maya Bazaar, Missamma, Muga Manasulu,
Dr. Chakravarthi, Dasara Bullodu, Prem Nagar, Premabhishekam,
Seetaramayyagari Manavaralu and the list is very long.
Apart
from being a movie star, ANR was a prolific writer. Some of his
prominent books being are his autobiographical work, Nenu Na Jeevitham,
the memoirs of his first visit to the USA, Nenu Choosina America, and
the expression of his thoughts in his book, A Aalu. His most recent,
contemplative, self-reflective work is the book Manasuloni Maata. He was
awarded an honorary doctorate from several Indian universities.
He
established Annapurna studios and his son Nagarjuna , daughter-in-law
Amala and several grandsons followed in ANR's footsteps to become
actors. ANR is credited with being a pioneer in shifting Telugu film industry from then Madras to Hyderabad.
ANR's body has been shifted to his residence. His last rites will be
performed after his body is kept for fans to pay respects at the
Annapurna Studio in Hyderabad.
