The felicitation function to honor legendary actor Akkineni Nageshwara Rao on the receipt of Padma Vibushan has been delayed since quite some time. Film critics assert that contrasting perceptions between top people amongst the movie fraternity has lead to this delay.
Telugu cinema industry's op asociation including AP Film Chamber of Commerce (APFCC), the Movie Artistes Association (MAA) and the Producers Council decided to honor the yesteryear actor. However, differences between top notch people has forced this felicitation to come to a grinding halt and eventually paying the way to shelve the ANR felicitation. According to film nagar sources, few directors maintained that this ANR felicitation should be part of felicitations to other Padma awardees including Superstar Krishna (Padma Bushan), Mohan Babu and S.P. Balasubramaniam (Padma Sri).
Then “Why did not anyone object when Rama Naidu was felicitated when he bagged the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke award”, questions a source from the council. Mind you, even Superstar Krishna generously graced the Ram Naidu felicitation function and so what's the problem in felicitating ANR.
Although AP Film Chamber of Commerce is downplaying these rumors citing the just concluded sudden strike as the reason for the delay in felicitation, it is clearly evident that certain section of Telugu cinema is planning to purposely halt the ANR felicitation. Mind you, ANR is the only actor to be awarded Padma Vibushan in Telugu movies. Fresh developments and differences amongst the Ivy league of players in the council against the ANR felicitation function looks like an alibi to hold back the function. Aren’t these pictures showing a sorrow state of affairs of Telugu film industry.
