Chiranjeevi pays respects to Amitabh Bachchan by touching his feet after receiving an award from him at ANR awards

Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan recently felicitated Chiranjeevi at the ANR National Awards 2024.

On Monday, Naga Chaitanya and his family celebrated the 100th birth anniversary of Telugu cinema icon Akkineni Nageswara Rao (ANR), who was also the father of Telugu superstar Nagarjuna. The family commemorated the event by presenting the ANR National Award, established by the Akkineni International Foundation, to actor Chiranjeevi.

The award established by the Akkineni International Foundation, annually honours artists for their lifetime contribution to cinema.

While praising Chiranjeevi, Amitabh Bachchan expressed his heartfelt gratitude towards him and the Telugu film industry.

During an heartfelt on-stage moment, Chiranjeevi touched Amitabh Bachchan's feet after receiving the award from him. Amitabh then delivered an emotional speech honoring the late Telugu actor-producer Akkineni Nageswara Rao and reflecting on the significance of Telugu cinema.

Amitabh Bachchan stated, "Namsakar. It is very difficult to stand here and say anything after what we have seen, heard and observed. I must express my extreme gratitude to Akkineni Nageswara Rao Foundation to give me this privilege to be here with all of you this evening. I express my gratitude to Akkineni Nageswara Rao for bringing to life that is seen on earth and give so much joy in entertainment and culture. Nag, to you and your family I want to express my gratitude for living up to the legacy that your respected father left all of us."

He further said, “I am reminded of the poem my father wrote called Vasihatnama, which means the last will. In today's time the kind of life you are living, a son has to prove in court what his father has done. The line that I wish to say today is that, 'Mere bete hone se mere utaradhikari nahi honge, jo mere itaradhikari honge wo mere bete honge' (You can't become my inheritor just because you are my son, my inheritors would be my true sons)."

"Nag, you and your family are true sons and inheritors of this great personality called Akkineni Nageswara Rao. I also feel deeply honoured that you have chosen me to honour my dear friend and colleague Chiranjeevi. Whenever I call he is always there. Thank you Charianjeevi and Nag for giving me a part in your film, thanks to Vyjayanti films, and Nag Ashwin for giving me part in your film. I am proud to be a part of the Telugu film industry. Thank you Chiranjeevi for your friendship, concern, love and hospitality. You sent me so much lunch that I would have fed the whole hotel today. Please treat me as a member of Telugu film industry from now on. Don't forget to take me in your film next time. Thank you so much." Bachchan concluded.

The ANR awards also marks the first public appearance for the to-be-wed couple, Sobhita Dhulipala and Naga Chaitanya with family following their engagement on August 8.