At the International Indian Film Festival (IFFI) in Goa, Telugu superstar Nagarjuna Akkineni shared a deeply personal account of his father, the late Akkineni Nageswara Rao (ANR), reflecting on his father's early life, struggles, and determination to succeed despite overwhelming odds.
Through heartfelt memories, Nagarjuna revealed how ANR’s humble beginnings and personal challenges shaped the legendary actor he became, offering a glimpse into the man who went on to become one of Telugu cinema's most iconic figures.
“He came from a very humble family, a farmer's family,” Nagarjuna began, painting a picture of his father's early years.
ANR was born in a small village near Madras (now Chennai), where life was simple and devoid of many basic amenities, including electricity. His family’s modest means could not shield him from hardship, but his early life set the stage for his incredible journey. Nagarjuna shared a touching story about ANR’s childhood: “My grandmother, who longed for a daughter, used to dress him up like a girl, braid his hair, and he looked very cute and pretty.” This unique upbringing, along with his charm, helped lay the foundation for ANR’s future as an actor. “So, all of this led to him becoming an actor,” Nagarjuna said.
ANR's entry into the world of acting was unconventional. At just 15 years old, he began performing women’s roles on stage because women were not permitted to act during that era. “We still have a photograph of him dressed as a girl. He looked exactly like my older sister,” Nagarjuna recalled with a mix of fondness and pride. ANR's ability to play female roles on stage not only showcased his versatility but also his early dedication to acting.
The turning point in ANR’s career came in 1944 when fate intervened. A chance encounter at a railway station with filmmaker Ghantasala Balaramayya proved pivotal. Nagarjuna explained, “The famous film producer Ghantasala Balaramayya noticed him and liked his nose and eyes. He then called him and asked if he would like to act, and the rest is history.” This moment marked the beginning of ANR’s cinematic journey, which would eventually see him rise to legendary status in the Telugu film industry.
However, the path to stardom was far from easy. When ANR moved to Chennai with his elder brother, who acted as his pillar of support, he faced mockery and ridicule. Nagarjuna explained, “People started making fun of him, and that dejected him.” ANR’s early stage performances, particularly his portrayal of female characters, made him the target of cruel jokes. This constant mockery deeply affected him, and he even reached a point where he considered ending his life. “He told me he went to Marina Beach in Chennai, waist-deep in water, and thought of ending his life. But then he decided he needed to prove himself,” Nagarjuna revealed. This pivotal moment of despair turned into a source of determination, and ANR’s resilience drove him to overcome the negative perceptions surrounding him.
ANR’s perseverance paid off when he landed his first major role, portraying Lord Rama in the film Sri Seeta Rama Jananam.
However, even after his initial success, his struggles continued. One of his challenges was his voice, which he felt was inadequate for the cinema of that time. In an era when voice dubbing was not an option, ANR went to great lengths to improve his vocal strength. Nagarjuna recounted, “He would scream at the ocean for 15–20 minutes to make his voice hoarse and even smoked cigars to roughen it.” This extreme measure, driven by his dedication, highlights the lengths to which ANR was willing to go in his pursuit of perfection.
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