Amitabh Bachchan arrived in Hyderabad on Monday to present the prestigious 13th ANR National Award to Chiranjeevi, marking a significant occasion as 2024 also celebrates the centenary year of the legendary actor A. Nageswara Rao, after whom the award is named. Chiranjeevi, being the 13th recipient, was honored in a ceremony organized by the Akkineni Foundation, established in 2005 to commemorate the contributions of Nageswara Rao.
During the event, Nagarjuna shared a personal anecdote about his first encounter with Chiranjeevi in 1985 while he was shooting a song sequence at Annapurna Studio. He recounted his father's advice to observe Chiranjeevi's graceful dancing, which left a lasting impression on him. Nagarjuna described Chiranjeevi as a "down-to-earth, warm, hospitable, and sweet" person.
Amitabh Bachchan took the stage to express his admiration for Chiranjeevi, thanking him for his friendship and hospitality. Chiranjeevi reciprocated by recalling his early career, particularly his first Hindi film, Pratibandh, and his eagerness to receive feedback from his idol, Bachchan. He shared how Bachchan's praise for his performance fueled his passion for acting.
The ceremony was attended by numerous prominent figures from the Telugu film industry, including Nani, Venkatesh, Ram Charan, and Prakash Raj, among others. The event also featured a special musical tribute by renowned music director MM Keeravani, honoring the legacy of A. Nageswara Rao.
