Dadasaheb Phalke award recipient, Akkineni Nageshwara Rao (ANR), who once lived life king size on Telugu silver screen and who won critical acclaim for his classics, will soon complete his 80 years of film career. Nageshwara Rao first appeared on big screen way back in 1941 in Dharmapatni movie as protagonist's childhood friend. Since then he never looked back. There were only two major heroes on screen then, one NTR and the other ANR. While NTR gained mass image, ANR appealed a particular class mostly with his classics and romantic tales.

You all know Nageshwara Rao as a romantic hero and sacrificing person on screen, but off the screen, who Nageshwara Rao is? To know this, you should ask his family members. His son Nagarjuna and Amala spoke about ANR and what they mean to them. Nagarjuna said ANR was a biggest support to his family. He said ANR was a complete man a major trouble shooter. Amala said Nageshwara Rao was a man with broad mind. He would taken women in to confidence before he takes any major decision, she added.

Nag's eldest son, Akkineni Naga Chaitanya has said that ANR was more than a grandfather to him. He said he often learns a lot-in terms of acting-from his grandfather, who watches his films much before the release from a critic's point of view and advices him to improve acting wherever necessary. He has also admitted that ANR's criticism made him a better actor.

Akkineni Nageshwara Rao recently appeared in Sri Rama Rajyam movie. Lets wish that ANR appear in many more movies and complete 100 years of film career.

(AW Phani)