Akkineni Nageswara Rao
Acting · Born Sep 20, 1923 · Died Jan 22, 2014 (90) · Ramapuram, Madras Presidency, British India
Akkineni Nageswara Rao (September 20, 1923 – January 22, 2014), known by the initialism ANR, was an Indian actor and film producer who worked predominantly in Telugu cinema alongside appearances in Tamil films. After starting in theatre and making his screen debut in *Dharmapatni* (1941), he achieved his breakthrough as a leading man in the folklore fantasy *Balaraju* (1948) and the romance *Keelu Gurram* (1949). Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, he established himself as a central figure in South Indian cinema, headlining the tragic romance *Devadasu* (1953), the social comedies *Missamma* (1955) and *Gundamma Katha* (1962), the mythological drama *Mayabazar* (1957), and the drama *Doctor Chakravarthy* (1964). In the 1970s and 1980s, Rao continued as a commercial lead in the romantic drama *Prema Nagar* (1971), the musical drama *Meghasandesam* (1982), and the romance *Premabhishekam* (1981). Beginning in the 1990s, he transitioned into senior character roles, starring in the family drama *Seetharamaiah Gari Manavaralu* (1991), *Bangaru Kutumbam* (1994), and the devotional features *Sri Ramadasu* (2006) and *Sri Rama Rajyam* (2011). His final screen appearance was in the fantasy drama *Manam* (2014), which he also co-produced. Beyond acting, he established Annapurna Studios in Hyderabad. For his contributions to cinema, he was awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1990, followed by the Padma Vibhushan in 2011.
Known for
Films
Manam
20147.1
Sri Rama Rajyam
20116.0
Jayeebhava
20094.8
Sri Ramadasu
20066.2
Chukkallo Chandrudu
20065.1
Sakutumba Saparivara Sametam
2000
Sri Sitaramula Kalyanam Chutamu Rarandi
1998
Pandaga
1998
Gandeevam
19948.0
Mechanic Alludu
19936.4
Seetharamaiah Gari Manavaralu
199110.0
Iddaru Iddare
19908.0
Sutradhaarulu
19898.0
Rao Gari Illu
1988
Rajakiya Chadurangam
1988
Collector Gari Abbai
19877.0
Brahma Rudrulu
1986
Illale Devatha
19856.0
Bharyabhartala Bandham
19858.0
Justice Chakravarthy
1984
Sriranga Neethulu
198310.0
Muddula Mogudu
1983
Bangaru Kanuka
19828.0
Prema Kanuka
19817.0
Guru Sishyulu
19817.5
Premabhishekam
198110.0
Yedanthasthula Meda
19807.5
Hema Hemeelu
19797.0
Vichitra Jeevitham
1978
Chanakya Chandragupta
19778.5
Andala Ramudu
19738.0
Bhakta Tukaram
197310.0
Bangaru Babu
19737.0
Prema Nagar
197110.0
Srimanthudu
19719.0
Dasara Bullodu
19719.0
Dharma Daata
19708.0
Maro Prapancham
19709.0
Akka Chellelu
19701.0
Aathmeeyulu
19698.0
Adrushtavanthulu
19697.5
Aastiparulu
19667.5
Manase Mandiram
1966
Navaratri
19669.0
Zamindar
19668.0
Aatma Gowravam
19657.3
Doctor Chakravarthy
19648.0
Mooga Manasulu
19647.3
Aatma Balam
196410.0
Pooja Phalamu
19649.0
Punarjanma
19638.0
Sri Krishnarjuna Yuddhamu
19637.0
Kula Gotralu
19628.0
Gundamma Katha
19627.8
Manchi Manasulu
19628.0
Aradhana
19627.7
Batasari
19614.0
Velugu Needalu
19618.0
Bharya Bharthalu
19619.0
Maa Babu
196010.0
Pelli Kanuka
196010.0
Illarikam
19597.0
Kalyana Parisu
19595.7
Mangalya Balam
19597.0
Manjal Mahimai
1959
Pellinaati Pramanalu
19587.5
Bhookailas
19587.7
Alladin and the Wonderful Lamp
19575.5
Mayabazar
19578.0
Thodi Kodallu
19577.0
Matharkula Manikkam
195610.0
Charana Daasi
19568.5
Bhale Ramudu
19568.0
Tenali Ramakrishna
19568.0
Donga Ramudu
19556.5
Anarkali
19557.0
Rojulu Maraayi
19557.0
Ardhangi
19559.0
Missamma
19558.1
Vipra Narayana
19548.0
Parivartana
19548.0
Chakrapani
19548.0
Devadasu
19535.8
Or Iravu
19517.0
Samsaram
1950
Palletoori Pilla
19507.0
Laila Majnu
19497.0
Raksha Rekha
1949
Keelu Gurram
194910.0
Balaraju
1948
Vindhya Rani
19488.0
Mugguru Maratilu
19468.0
Mayalokam
194510.0