Akkineni Nageswara Rao, widely known as ANR, was an Indian actor and producer, known for his work majorly in Telugu cinema. He starred in many landmark films in his seventy five-year career, and became one of the most prominent figures of Telugu cinema. Akkineni received seven state Nandi Awards, and five Filmfare Awards South. He is a recipient of the Dada Saheb Phalke Award and Padma Vibhushan, India's second highest civilian award, for his contributions to the fields of Art and Cinema.
Missamma is a 1955 Indian Telugu-language romantic comedy film directed by L. V. Prasad. It was produced by Nagi Reddi and Chakrapani on Vijaya Productions banner. The film stars N. T. Rama Rao, Savitri, Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Jamuna. The script was adapted by Chakrapani from Rabindranath Maitra's Bengali play Manmoyee Girls School. It revolves around two unemployed people — M. T. Rao and Mary — who pose as a married couple to obtain employment in a high school founded by Gopalam, a zamindar. As Rao and Mary fall in love, Gopalam's nephew A. K. Raju learns that Mary is Gopalam's missing elder daughter Mahalakshmi; she is unaware of her true identity.
P. Bhanumathi Ramakrishna was an Indian actress, singer, film producer, director, music composer, and novelist. She is regarded as the first female super star of Telugu cinema. She is also considered the first female director of Telugu cinema with her debut directorial Chandirani (1953). Bhanumathi appeared in over 100 films predominantly in Telugu and Tamil languages. She was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2001 for her contribution to the Indian cinema. She was honored among "women in cinema" at the 30th International Film Festival of India.
Prema Nagar is a 1971 Indian Telugu-language romance film directed by K. S. Prakash Rao and produced by D. Ramanaidu under the Suresh Productions banner. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Vanisri with music composed by K. V. Mahadevan. The film is based on a novel of the same name by Koduri Kausalya Devi.
Suryakantham was an Indian actress in Tollywood. She was popular for playing the role of a cruel mother-in-law in most of her movies.
Gundamma Katha is a 1962 Indian Telugu-language comedy drama film directed by Kamalakara Kameswara Rao and co-produced by Nagi Reddi and Chakrapani under their banner Vijaya Productions. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Savitri, and Jamuna, with S. V. Ranga Rao, Suryakantham, and Ramana Reddy in supporting roles.
Brahmachari (transl. Bachelor) is a 1968 Indian Telugu-language comedy drama film, produced by A. V. Subba Rao under the Prasad Art Productions banner and directed by T. Rama Rao. The film stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Jayalalithaa, with music composed by T. Chalapathi Rao. It was released on 1 February 1968. The film was remade in Hindi as Ek Nari Ek Brahmachari (1971). It was loosely based on the 1967 Tamil movie Penne Nee Vaazhga.
Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu is a 1959 Indian Telugu-language comedy drama film directed by L. V. Prasad. The film was produced by Nagi Reddi and Chakrapani of Vijaya Productions; the latter co-wrote its script with Prasad and Vempati Sadasivabrahmam. It is the Telugu version of Prasad's Tamil film Kadan Vaangi Kalyaanam (1958). Starring N. T. Rama Rao, Relangi and Savitri, Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu features Jaggayya, C. S. R. Anjaneyulu, S. V. Ranga Rao, and Jamuna in supporting roles. The conflict between two older men with different mindsets—Ramadasu and Mukundarao —is the film's centrepiece.
Dharma Patni or Dharmapatni is a 1941 Indian Telugu-language drama film produced and directed by P. Pullayya under the Famous Films banner. It stars Santha Kumari, Bhanumathi, Uppuluri Hanumantha Rao and C. Hemalatha. The film marks the debut of Akkineni Nageswara Rao, who played a minor role as one of the ten school children in a song sequence, and also that of the writer Chakrapani.
Prema (transl. Love) is a 1952 Indian romance film, produced and directed by P. S. Ramakrishna Rao under the Bharani Studios banner. The film is simultaneously made in Telugu and Tamil languages, the latter titled Kaadhal. It stars P. Bhanumathi and Akkineni Nageswara Rao with music composed by C. R. Subburaman. Bhanumathi wrote the story, for the first time.
Ilavelpu (transl. Deity) is a 1956 Telugu-language drama film, produced by L. V. Prasad under the Lakshmi Productions banner and directed by D. Yoganand. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Anjali Devi and Jamuna, with music composed by Susarla Dakshina Murthy. The film is a remake of the Tamil film Edhir Paradhathu (1954). The film was a box office hit.
Batasari (transl. Wayfarer) is a 1961 Indian Telugu-language drama film, produced and directed by Ramakrishna of Bharani Pictures. It was simultaneously made in Tamil as Kaanal Neer (transl. Mirage). Based on the Bengali novel Bardidi by Saratchandra Chatterjee, the film stars P. Bhanumathi and Akkineni Nageswara Rao, with music composed by Master Venu. Batasari was released on 30 June 1961, and Kaanal Neer on 21 July. Both versions did not succeed commercially.
Aatmiyulu (transl. Beloved) is a 1969 Indian Telugu-language drama film, produced by D. Madhusudhana Rao under the Saradhi Studios banner and directed by V. Madhusudhana Rao. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Vanisree, with music composed by S. Rajeswara Rao. The film was remade in Tamil as Pennin Vaazhkai (1981).
Siri Sampadalu is a 1962 Indian Telugu-language drama film, produced by V. Venkateswarlu and directed by P. Pullaiah. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Savitri, with music composed by Master Venu.
Missamma is the soundtrack of the 1955 Indian Telugu-language film of the same name directed by L. V. Prasad. Composed by S. Rajeswara Rao, the soundtrack contains 11 songs with lyrics by Pingali. The film was written by Chakrapani, who co-produced it with B. Nagi Reddi for Vijaya Productions. N. T. Rama Rao and Savitri played the lead roles the Telugu version, with Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Jamuna, S. V. Ranga Rao, Rushyendramani, Relangi and Ramana Reddy in supporting roles.
Tandava Krishnudu is a 1984 Telugu-language drama film, produced by B. Gopala Reddy under the Krishna Art Creations banner and directed by P. Chandrasekhara Reddy. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Jaya Prada and music composed by Chakravarthy.
Missiamma is a 1955 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film directed by L. V. Prasad. Produced by B. Nagi Reddy and Aluri Chakrapani's Vijaya Vauhini Studios, the script was adapted by Chakrapani from the Bengali novel Manmoyee Girls School by Rabindranath Maitra. Missiamma also focused on social issues such as unemployment, corruption, and freedom of worship. Missiamma tells the story of two unemployed people of different religions and mentalities: Balu and Mary. They pose as a married couple to obtain jobs in a high school founded by Gopal, the zamindar of Aandipettai. As Balu and Mary fall in love, Gopal's nephew Raju learns that Mary is Gopal's missing elder daughter Mahalakshmi; she is unaware of her true identity.
Buchi Babu is a 1980 Indian Telugu-language comedy film, produced by Venkat Akkineni, Nagarjuna Akkineni under the Annapurna Studios banner, and directed by Dasari Narayana Rao. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Jaya Prada, with music composed by Chakravarthy.
Srivari Muchatlu is a 1981 Telugu-language drama film, produced by N. R. Anuradha Devi under the Lakshmi Films Combines banner and directed by Dasari Narayana Rao. The film stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Jaya Prada, Jayasudha and music composed by Chakravarthy. The film is remade in Hindi as Asha Jyoti (1984).
Bhale Rangadu is a 1969 Indian Telugu-language drama film, produced by N. N. Bhatt and directed by T. Rama Rao. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Vanisri and music composed by K. V. Mahadevan. Released on 14 August 1969, the film was a critical and commercial success.
