ANR award presented to K. Balachander
Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy and Union Minister for Law and Justice Veerappa Moily jointly presented the Akkineni Nageswara Rao Award 2010 to eminent filmmaker K. Balachander at a function held in Hyderabad on Tuesday. K. Balachander is the sixth recipient of ANR Award, instituted by the Akkineni International Foundation in 2005.
Graciously acknowledging the award, the 81-year-old film maker said he accepted it with all graciousness, humility, honour and pride, respectfully touching the feet of the thespian, to applause.
Recalling that Rao was heard expressing his regrets that he had never worked with him, the director said he is thinking of creating a role to suit his stature, reputation, age and talent. ‘I think I have to redefine my story because he looks young and fit enough for me to remake Maro Charithra all over again. Are you ready Mr. Rao? Let us search for your heroine,’ he said, making the audience erupt into laughter.
Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy said ever since his Hyderabad Public School days, he had known Akkineni Nagarjuna as his senior. He recalled that when Balachander’s Aakali Rajyam hit the screens, he was just an unemployed graduate and could identify with the subject.

ANR Award To Director K Balachander Stills, ANR Presentation to K Balachander Photo Gallery