Akkineni Nageswara Rao is a prominent
Indian film actor and producer, studio owner. He toured all over the world as
an ambassador of art and culture. Dr. Nageswara Rao was invited as a State
Guest by the United States of America, England, France and Germany in 1964 and
USSR in 1972 besides some other countries in the continent to study the Film
Craft and Theatre Arts in the respective countries. He had visited Australia in
1967 leading the delegates for the Indian Entry Film, Antasthulu, at the Sydney
Film Festival. He also led a high level Film Delegation to Mauritius. All
through the world, the people felicitated Dr. Akkineni with love and honour.
Apart from being a movie star, ANR was
a prolific writer. Some of his prominent books being are his autobiographical
work, Nenu Na Jeevitham, the memoirs of his first visit to the USA, Nenu Choosina
America, and the expression of his thoughts in his book, A Aalu. His most
recent, contemplative, self-reflective work is the book Manasuloni Maata. He
was awarded an honorary doctorate from several Indian universities.
He spoke of how 'supposed to bad news' in
life turned out to be advantageous and
helped him live happier and longer. His heart
bypass surgery in 1974 and subsequent
heart attack after 6 years led him to visit USA to meet world famous
cardiologist from Kerala Dr. Gangadharan in California.
One
of the Famous Speeches
Akkineni Nageswara Rao's 89th birthday
and his USA visit filled with affection and appreciation for NRI Telugus on Aug
24th, 2012 at St Toma Church Farmington, MI USA.
ANR said that the secret to his long
life was his work ethic, discipline, and strong food regimen. But equally
important were his treatments and conversations with Dr. Gangadharan in 1980s.
Dr Gangadharan, who also is fan of ANR movies, counseled him psychologically to
lead a happy and healthy life without worrying about death.
ANR quoted Dr Gangadharan ' Mr Rao you have
enacted death many
times in movies, death is not new to you and now
go back and lead a healthy happy life. You don't need any more procedures on
your heart.' ANR said those words were
like powerful psychological medicine and boosted
to his morale
and happiness in life.
That led to his new philosophy of, 'It doesn't matter how
many years you live but how happy you
live.'
ANR personally invited Dr. Gangadharan and family
to the stage and presented " Ganda Berundam" or gold
bracelet with touching words, 'This bracelet is not made of gold but
with sentiment and character of Nageswara
Rao.' He thanked his best
friend Madhav Rao Tummala for
encouraging him to visit US after his personal loss of Smt
Annapurnamma in Dec 2011, his wife for
73 years.
On 19 Oct 2013 he held a press meet
and announced that he is diagnosed with Cancer.
This was really a shocking news. But,
he will definitely come out of the
cancer like YuvaRaj Singh.