Iconic actor

Sir — Andhra Pradesh woke up to the sad news of the demise of one of the doyens of the Telugu film industry, Akkineni Nageswara Rao, popularly known as ANR. 

An era has truely come to an end in Telugu films. ANR had been one of the central pillars, along with NT Rama Rao, on which the Telugu film industry stood and flourished for more than half a century.  

Though he had many limitations compared to NTR, who had a wide range, it is to ANR’s credit that he always remained within his limitations, chose subjects and films that suited him and developed a huge fan base, especially of the class audience and among the women. 

ANR mostly did family-oriented films, and those based on famous novels. As and when required, he fell back on the tried and tested ‘alcoholic tragedy king’ role. After Devdas, there was no looking back for him. 

ANR is credited with taking the first step in moving the Telugu film industry from Chennai to Hyderabad, by building the first film studio, Annapurna Studio (in the name of his wife) in Hyderabad. 

Many Telugu films are now being shot in Andhra itself at the studios.  The Telugu film industry and artists, especially the junior artists, will always remain indebted to him for this initiative.