Cinemaazi remembers Akkineni Nageshwara Rao on his birth anniversary

One of the most influential stars in Telugu cinema history, Akkineni Nageshwara Rao not only delivered some of its biggest hits but also played a pivotal role in shifting Telugu cinema's base from Chennai to Hyderabad. Popularly called ANR, he became a star from the 1940s onwards, mastering the genres of fantasy, historicals and later melodramas. Widely regarded as one of the greatest Devdases of the screen, he also garnered particular renown for his portrayal of historical characters.