The upcoming ANR Awards 2024, scheduled to take place on October 28 in Hyderabad, promises to be a monumental event for actor-producer Nagarjuna Akkineni and his family. This edition of the awards bears special importance as it aligns with the centenary year celebrations of the late, legendary actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao (ANR). Adding a further touch of prestige and excitement, Amitabh Bachchan, one of Indian cinema’s most venerated figures, will be presenting the coveted ANR Award to Telugu cinema superstar, Chiranjeevi.
In an interview with The Hindu during a break at Annapurna Studios in Hyderabad, Nagarjuna articulated the essence and mission of the ANR Awards in recognizing exceptional contributions to the Indian cinema landscape. Highlighting the impact of previous award recipients, Nagarjuna alluded particularly to director SS Rajamouli. “He has raised Indian cinema’s profile to the global stage. While Indian films have previously attracted international acclaim, there was little commercial success until Rajamouli’s vision broadened these horizons,” noted Nagarjuna.
Chiranjeevi’s selection as this year’s honoree was not only a reflection of his preeminent place in Telugu cinema history but also mirrored Nagarjuna’s father’s belief in cinema as a universal form of entertainment accessible to all, not merely a select audience. “Chiranjeevi’s films have achieved nationwide recognition. Beyond his cinematic contributions, he has made meaningful contributions to society through his blood bank and other charitable initiatives,” extolled Nagarjuna.
This year’s celebration is imbued with nostalgia and honor, highlighted by the unveiling of a statue of ANR at Annapurna Studios earlier this year as well as the release of a commemorative postal stamp. Furthermore, the Film Heritage Foundation, in collaboration with the National Film Archives of India (NFAI), has screened ten of ANR’s Telugu classics across theatres throughout India, restoring these historic films to their former glory.
Nagarjuna takes pride in these restorative efforts, noting that a 2019 film restoration workshop at Annapurna Studios laid the groundwork for such initiatives: ”Regrettably, many Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi films haven’t been preserved properly. Restoring a single print can cost upwards of ₹80 lakh, and often, the original films cannot be found.” He lamented the loss of quality in many vintage films, citing the example of his 1989 classic Geethanjali, directed by Mani Ratnam, which suffers from deterioration to the point where only poor-quality versions are available for television screenings.
. Such challenges reiterate the critical need for restoration efforts to preserve the legacy of Indian cinema.
Two decades of restorations courtesy of ANR have resulted in a preservation archive of 21 films, from which 10 were chosen for public viewing. Perhaps most exciting is the ongoing work to restore many more films from Annapurna Studios and the quest to make these pieces of cinematic history accessible to the public. Discussions are underway to seek permission to host these classics on the Annapurna Studios website, pending approval from NFAI, which might introduce its own platform for distributing these restored works.
Nagarjuna emphasizes the continuity of his father’s vision for Annapurna Studios, a vision that aligns with the embrace of cutting-edge technology, like the Virtual Production Stage and AI (artificial intelligence). He sees AI as a transformative tool in the creative process across various cinema production departments, from writing to post-production. “AI-created voices, like Amitabh Bachchan’s use in Kalki, open exciting possibilities for actors working in different languages,” stated Nagarjuna.
Highlighting the importance of nurturing future cinematic talents, Nagarjuna proudly acknowledges the accomplishments of Annapurna College of Film and Media alumni, whose works have garnered national and international acclaim. The ongoing film festival entries by current students exemplify the remarkable talent emerging from this institution.
In related cinematic endeavors, Nagarjuna shared insights into his latest projects, which include his participation in the Tamil film Coolie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj and featuring Rajinikanth. Reflecting on his enthusiasm, Nagarjuna reminisced, “I was eager to work with Lokesh after watching Kaithi and Vikram. It feels like a manifested opportunity that I cherish.”
Nagarjuna’s diverse roles are evident in another upcoming project, director Sekhar Kammula’s Kubera, which co-stars Dhanush. “Filming Kubera has been a process of unlearning and adjusting. Sekhar’s direction nudges me to step away from stereotypical ‘hero’ gestures towards a more natural portrayal,” he shares, highlighting the appreciative yet rigorous challenges of evolving roles in his storied career.
