South Indian cinema has not only captivated audiences across India but has also made its mark globally. Among the stalwarts who shaped this industry Akkineni Nageswara Rao popularly known as A.N.R. stands out for his versatile acting and enduring legacy. Born on 20 September 1923 in Rampuram village Krishna district Andhra Pradesh into a humble farmer’s family A.N.R.’s formal education stopped at the third grade due to financial constraints. Yet his passion for acting ignited at the tender age of 10 when he began performing on stage often playing female characters due to restrictions on women performing in theatre. How did A.N.R. enter films? A.N.R. made his cinematic debut in the 1941 Telugu film Dharmapatni. Over a prolific career spanning 73 years he appeared in more than 255 films across Telugu Tamil Hindi and Kannada languages. His first notable Tamil film Vipra Narayan (1954) saw him portraying the life of the Tamil saint of the same name. In 1956 he played the celebrated Telugu poet Tenali Ramakrishna in the Tamil version of the film earning the All India Certificate of Merit for Best Feature. What made A.N.R. a legend? A.N.R. was celebrated not just for his acting but also for his ability to balance dance dialogue delivery and nuanced expressions. Beyond acting he contributed significantly as a producer and helped shift the Telugu film industry from Madras (now Chennai) to Hyderabad in the 1970s reducing pressure on the Tamil cinema hub. His production company Annapurna Studios founded in 1985 co-produced several Tamil-Telugu films and strengthened the technical standards of regional cinema. Which are his most popular films? Among his iconic works are Laila Majnu (1949) Devadasu (1953) Anarkali (1955) Batasari (1961) Prema Nagar (1971) Premabhishekam (1981) Meghasandesam (1982) and Donga Ramudu (1955). He also starred in the Tamil remake of Missamma (1955) further cementing his versatility and pan-South appeal. Awards and recognition A.N.R.’s contribution earned him numerous accolades. He received the Padma Shri in 1968 Padma Bhushan in 1988 the Dada Saheb Phalke Award in 1990 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2011. Tamil Nadu recognised him with the Arignar Anna Award in 1992. Legacy and family A.N.R.’s legacy continues through his family. His son Nagarjuna and grandson Naga Chaitanya along with Akhil Akkineni are prominent figures in South Indian cinema. According to reports Nagarjuna’s family net worth in 2017 was Rs 3754 crore while Naga Chaitanya’s net worth reached Rs 3654 crore following his divorce from Samantha Ruth Prabhu. The 2014 film Manam showcased three generations of the Akkineni family together a testament to his lasting influence. A.N.R. passed away on 22 January 2014 leaving behind a cinematic legacy that continues to inspire. Highlights: A.N.R. acted in over 255 films across multiple languages becoming a South Indian cinema icon. He founded Annapurna Studios and played a key role in relocating the Telugu film industry to Hyderabad. His family including Nagarjuna and Naga Chaitanya continues to uphold his legacy in cinema.