Biography
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.
Acted in 93
2010s
- 2014
Manam
Chaitanya
- 2011
Sri Rama Rajyam
Valmiki
2000s
- 2009
Jayeebhava
Ram's Grandfather
- 2006
Sri Ramadasu
Kabirdas
Chukkallo Chandrudu
Movie
- 2000
Sakutumba Saparivara Sametam
Janakiramayya
1990s
- 1998
Sri Sitaramula Kalyanam Chutamu Rarandi
Movie
Pandaga
Suryadevara Lakshmi Raghava Vara Prasad
- 1994
Gandeevam
Chakravarthy
- 1993
Mechanic Alludu
Jagannatham
- 1991
Seetharamaiah Gari Manavaralu
Seetharamaiah
- 1990
Iddaru Iddare
Movie
1980s
- 1989
Sutradhaarulu
Movie
- 1988
Rao Gari Illu
Anand Rao
Rajakeeya Chadarangam
Chief Minister Satya Murthy
- 1987
Collector Gari Abbai
Collector Rama Kantha Rao
- 1986
Brahma Rudrulu
Movie
- 1985
Illale Devatha
Gopi Krishna
Bharyabhartala Bandham
Sanjeevi
- 1984
Justice Chakravarthy
Justice Chakravarthy / Kalyan
- 1983
Sriranga Neethulu
Rajesh
Muddula Mogudu
Prasad
- 1982
Bangaru Kanuka
Movie
- 1981
Prema Kanuka
Raja Shekaram
Guru Sishyulu
Kalyan
Premabhishekam
Rajesh
- 1980
Yedanthasthula Meda
Ranga Rao & Venu (Dual role)
1970s
- 1979
Hema Hemeelu
Red Lion Raghuveer & Rama Chandra
- 1978
Vichitra Jeevitham
Chandra Shekar
- 1977
Chanakya Chandragupta
Chanakya
- 1973
Andala Ramudu
Ramudu
Bangaru Babu
Buchi Babu
- 1971
Prema Nagar
Movie
Srimanthudu
Raja
Dasara Bullodu
Movie
- 1970
Dharma Daata
Raja Raghupathi Rao & Sekhar
Maro Prapancham
Special CBI Officer Ravindra Nath
Akka Chellelu
Justice Ramachandra Rao / Raju
1960s
- 1969
Aathmeeyulu
Suryam
Adrushtavanthulu
Raghu
- 1966
Aastiparulu
Krishna / Seenu
Manase Mandiram
Dr. Raghu
Navaratri
Movie
Zamindar
Movie
- 1965
Aatma Gowravam
Movie
- 1964
Doctor Chakravarthy
Dr. Chakravarthy
Mooga Manasulu
Movie
Aatma Balam
Anand
Pooja Phalamu
Movie
- 1963
Punarjanma
Movie
Sri Krishnarjuna Yuddhamu
Arjuna
- 1962
Kula Gotralu
Ravi
Gundamma Katha
Raja
Manchi Manasulu
Venu
Aradhana
Dr. Murali Krishna
- 1961
Batasari
Surendranath / Suren
Velugu Needalu
Chandram
Bharya Bharthalu
Anand
- 1960
Pelli Kanuka
Bhaskar
1950s
- 1959
Illarikam
Movie
Kalyana Parisu
Raghu
Mangalya Balam
Chandrasekhar
Manjal Mahimai
Chandrasekhar
- 1958
Pellinaati Pramanalu
Krishna Rao
Bhookailas
Narada Maharshi
- 1957
Alladin and the Wonderful Lamp
Movie
Mayabazar
Abhimanyu
- 1956
Matharkula Manikkam
Ravi
Charana Daasi
Venu
Bhale Ramudu
Rama Krishna
Tenali Ramakrishna
Tenali Ramakrishna
- 1955
Donga Ramudu
Ramudu
Anarkali
Salim
Rojulu Maraayi
Venu
Ardhangi
Raghunatha Rao / Raghu
Missamma
A. K. Raju
- 1954
Vipra Narayana
Vipranarayana
Parivartana
Satyam
Chakrapani
Movie
- 1953
Devadasu
Devadasu
- 1951
- 1950
Samsaram
Venu
Palletoori Pilla
Vasanth
1940s
- 1949
Laila Majnu
Qais
Raksha Rekha
Sudhakar
Keelu Gurram
Vikrama
- 1948
Balaraju
Balaraju
Vindhya Rani
Movie
- 1946
Mugguru Maratilu
Movie
- 1945
Produced 2
2010s
- 2014
Manam
Producer
1970s
- 1970
Maro Prapancham
Producer