NAGESWARA RAO

Akkineni Nageswara Rao (born September 20, 1924 at Venkataraghavapuram, Dist. Krishna, Andhra Pradesh), also known as ANR, is a film actor from Gudivada Andhra Pradesh. He is one of the first fully commercial Telugu Cinema heroes. His films include a diverse range of genres which include mythological, folk tale, social, adventure and drama. He is a contemporary to NTR who jointly shared popularity as one of the greatest telugu actors for almost 40 years.

He is fondly called 'Natasamrat' by his fans.

Awards

Nageswara Rao was awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1990 for his lifetime contributions to Indian Cinema. He is also a recipient of the Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri.

Contribution

He is the first person to cause the shift of Telugu film industry to Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh from Chennai, Tamilnadu in an attempt to bring the native language to the heart of the Telugu community. Soon after moving to Hyderabad, Nageswara Rao founded his own production house, Annapoorna Studios (named after his wife Akkineni Annapoorna), located in Banjara Hills.

Acting Prowess

He is noted for his class roles in the mid 1960s. He is specifically remembered in Andhra Pradesh for his biographical roles like Dr.Chakravarthy, Devadasu, Vipranarayana, Chakradhari, Tukaram, Kalidasu, Jayadeva, Tenali Ramakrishna, and Kshethrayya. Moreover he is popular as hero of many popular fiction novels which were made into films such as Doctor Chakravarthi, Prema Nagar, Secretary etc.

He also acted in about 20-odd Tamil movies.

Even at the age of 84, Dr Akkineni Nageswara Rao still acts.

His younger son Nagarjuna is also an actor and a popular star in Telugu.

Biggest Hit

Akkineni's Premabhishekam (directed by Dasari Narayana Rao) is one of the biggest hits in Tollywood. Premabhishekam had an amazing 533 days run in Hyderabad which is still highest run in a city for telugu movies. Premabhishekam is the only Telugu film that ran for 365+ days continously.

L.V.PRASAD

Akkineni Lakshmi Vara Prasada Rao (17 January 1908 - 22 June 1994), more popularly known as L. V. Prasad was a famous Indian film actor, producer and director. He was a recipient of the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award for lifetime contribution to cinema from the Government of India for the year 1982.

Early life

L. V. Prasad was born in a well-to-do agricultural family in Eluru Taluk of the current-day Andhra Pradesh. Right from childhood, he showed lot of interest in plays and the then new phenomenon of films, neglecting his studies. In early 1920s, his family lost its fortunes in trying to convert forest lands into arable lands. In 1924, he married Soundarya Manoharamma, his maternal uncle's daughter, despite objections from her family on account of his poor financial status. With a view to pursue his dreams in establishing an acting career, he left to Bombay in 1930.

Early career

Due to lack of contacts in the film industry, he found it difficult to enter into studios. After doing rounds of studios for over six months, he landed an errands job in the Venus Film Company. After a short time there, he started working for a monthly salary of 30 rupees in the Imperial Light Company. Ardeshir Irani was the owner of the company and was trying to make the first talkie in India. Irani made Alam Ara, the first talkie in India and the first Hindi talkie in which Prasad played the role of an extra. Prasad also made an acquaintance with H.M. Reddy, who was assisting Irani. Reddy was from Yelahanka, Karnataka and had left the job of a Police Constable to pursue his dreams in films. Reddy was given the opportunity to direct the first Telugu talkie by Irani and he promptly cast Prasad in a bit role in the first Telugu talkie, Bhakta Prahalada. Prasad also acted in Kalidasa, the first Tamil film, around the same time. Thus, he had the unique distinction of acting in the first talkies in Hindi, Telugu and Tamil. It was around this time that his name was shortened to 'L. V. Prasad' by an accountant who felt that his name was too long for the daily attendance roll call. The last film L.V. Prasad acted in was Raja Paarvai (1981) in which he played the role of a playful grandfather .

As a director

In 1940, he reached Madras and became an assistant director to H. M. Reddy. Due to the Second World War, it became difficult to get raw material for filming and opportunities were limited.

In 1946, he got an opportunity to direct a Telugu film Griha Pravesham (literally "house warming") based on a ferminist story by Tripuraneni Gopichand. Apart from directing the film, he also played the role of the anti-feminist protagonist to critical acclaim. The movie was a commercial success.

In 1947, he took over direction of Palanati yuddham (a historical based on the "Palnadu battle") from an ailing Gudavalli Ramabrahmam - its success established him as a popular director.

In 1949, he directed Mana Desam (Our Country) and introduced the later-day hero of N.T.Rama Rao in a bit role.

In 1950, he directed Samsaram (family) starring N. T. Rama Rao and Akkineni Nageswara Rao. The movie, exploring domestic themes, was a big hit. After this, Prasad exclusively focused on directing movies with a family theme. The same year he directed another successful movie, Shavukar (also spelt Sowcar and Shahukar) for B.Nagi Reddy's Vijaya Pictures. This partnership continued over the years in the making of other successful movies such as Missamma (in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi), Appu chesi pappu koodu and Pelli chesi choodu.

As a producer

In 1955, he turned a producer and also took over an unfinished studio. In 1956, he produced his first telugu film and in 1957, he produced his first Hindi film. He was a successful producer and had produced, directed or acted in 50 films spread over the four different languages of Hindi, Telugu, Tamil and Kannada in his career.

In Hindi movies he started in 1961 when he made Sasural In 1967 he produced Milan , a remake of his own Telugu film , which was the years biggest hit in Hindi films too. In 1969 he produced wrote and directed Jeene Ki Raah In 1970, his Hindi film Khilona (the doll) celebrated its silver-jubilee at the theatre where he was a watchman in his early days in Bombay. In 1974 he produced and directed the N.T.Rama Rao written Bidaai In 1981, Ek Duuje Ke Liye ('Made For One Another'), a Hindi film produced by him, became a big hit.

He completed the Prasad Studios in 1965, the Prasad Film Laboratory in 1974 and the recording theater in 1976. The facilities were regarded as the best in India and on par with the best in the world.

He was also the principal donor to an eye hospital at Hyderabad, that was named after him - the LVPEI (L.V.Prasad Eye Institute)

Awards

• Filmfare Award for best Movie in 1970 for Khilona Raghupathi Venkayya award
  
• Khilona Raghupathi Venkayya award in 1981 by the government of Andhra Pradesh.
• Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1982 by the government of India. Dadasaheb Phalke Award
  
• Atluri filmfare award , Andhra University in 1985
  
• Postal Stamp on L.V.Prasad 5th September 2006
  

MUSIC LAUNCH OF 'NENU MEEKU TELUSA'

Music launch of Manoj Manchu’s latest film ‘Nenu Meeku Telusa?’ was launched at a function organized in Prasad Labs preview theater on the night of 29 August. Bala Krishna, Mohan Babu, K Raghavendra Rao, YVS Chowdary, Keeravani, A Kodandarami Reddy, Ashok (Sony BMG) and Sanjay Reddy (Zee Telugu) were the guests. Manoj Manchu, Sneha Ullal, Ajay Sastri, Sunil, Tanikella Bharani, cinematographer Sunil K Reddy, editor Naveen, executive producer Ashok Raju and producer Lakshmi Manchu attended the function from the unit.

Bala Krishna and K Raghavendra Rao jointly released the music album (both audiocassette and audio CD) in Bollywood style. International music label Sony BMG is entering Telugu market with Nenu Meeku Telusa music.

Mohan Babu is like my brother – Bala Krishna
Speaking on the occasion Bala Krishna Nandamuri said, “I am happy to have to honor of releasing this music. Sri Lakshmi Prasanna Pictures is like my own banner. I and Mohan Babu have similar ideologies. We learn the same kind of discipline and frankness from the legend NTR. Mohan Babu is like my brother. Music plays important role in the success of any film and Mohan Babu is known for tremendous taste for good music. The entire team of Nenu Meeku Telusa is young. I came to know that Mohan Babu did not involve in the production of the film and left the entire onus to his kids. I wish the unit a great success.”

MM Keeravani said that the music director Achu is son of his guru Rajamani.

Nenu Meeku Telusa is a result of perfect team work – Ajay Sastri
Debutant director Ajay Sastri said, “Manoj asked me to narrate a good subject and I told him this script. It was of experimental nature with good scope for commercial success. The next day I got a call from Mohan Babu’s office. He enquired about me and my education qualifications. Then he said that I could direct the film. From then, Manoj has taken very good interest in the project. He went to Hollywood, changed his looks and got trained. He also brought Hollywood stunt masters to work for this film. My contribution towards the film is the newness in the story. The rest is a result of perfect team work.”

Manoj performed stunts without ropes and special effects – Sunil
Actor Sunil said, “Manoj worked really hard for this and he executed lot of fight sequences in the film without using ropes and special effects. There is also a tremendous chase sequence in Nenu Meeku Telusa. I and Brahmanandam are having very good comedy roles in this film. Brahmanandam’s entry in this film is going to be a highlight. My role is very good in the second half.”

YVS Chowdary said, “I have already listened to the music of the film. Music will be a big hit. There is hunger and burning desire in Manoj. It will be a trendsetting movie. Ajay Sastri will be a big director. I also saw the theatrical trailer shot before the movie is started and it was excellent.”

Producer Lakshmi Manchu said, “Though I am the official producer, it was Manoj who also looked into and executed the project.”

Actress Sneha Ullal said that she worked really hard for this film.

Editor Naveen said, “My debut film was Krishna Vamsi’s Danger. I knew Ajay Sastri since then. I am happy that we are working together for this film.”

Thanks to dad - Manoj
Hero Manoj Manchu said, “I would like to thank my dad for encouraging us to do this project. My brother Vishnu’s company 24 Frames is presenting it. Sunil supported me on the sets. I would like to thank Sony BMG for making Nenu Meeku Telusa their first project in Telugu. Initially they were reluctant. But they got impressed after seeing the song visuals we sent them. I hope that all of you will like the film.”

Ajay Sastri delivered what he had promised – Mohan Babu
Mohan Babu said, “This project is completely handled by my kids Manoj and Lakshmi. I came to know about this music launch yesterday. I would like to thank all my guests for coming to this function at such a short notice. Ajay Sastri has delivered what he had promised. NTR is an amazing actor and gutsy hero who did Bruhannala character during the high time of his career. I am so happy that his son Bala Krishna is like my own brother.”

N.CHANDRABABAU NAIDU

Nara Chandrababu Naidu (born April 20, 1951) was the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh during 1995-2004. He holds the record of being the longest serving chief minister of A. P.He is currently the leader of the Telugu Desam Party, the second largest party in Andhra Pradesh.Mr. N. Chandrababu Naidu was born in the Naravaripally village of Chittoor district on 20th April, 1950. He did his Masters in Economics from the Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati. He was working towards a Ph.D. degree at the same university, when he took to politics.Naidu is married to Mrs. Bhuvaneswari and has a son Lokesh.

His father-in-law, the late Mr. Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao, was one of the most accomplished film actors of Telugu cinema, who later founded the Telugu Desam Party and was also the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.

Political career
Mr. Naidu was elected to the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly in 1978 from the Chandragiri constituency in Chittoor district. He subsequently became a Minister and held the portfolios of Archives, Cinematography, Technical Education, Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development, Public Libraries and Minor Irrigation between 1980 and 1983. He also served as the Chairman of the State Karshak Parishad, constituted for the first time to look after the welfare of the farming community.He was elected again to the State Legislature from Kuppam constituency of Chittoor district in 1989. He served as Coordinator of the Telugu Desam Party, in which capacity he effectively handled the party's role of main opposition in the assembly which won him wide appreciation from both the party and the public. His role during this phase both inside the Legislative Assembly and outside was a critical factor for the subsequent success of the party at the hustings.In 1994, he was re-elected to the Assembly from Kuppam constituency with a large majority of 57,000 votes and held the important portfolios of Revenue and Finance. During this tenure Mr. Naidu systematically introduced transparency in Government, thus breaking the tradition of inordinate secrecy in the Finance department.

Chief Ministership
The mantle of leadership fell on the shoulders of Mr. Naidu at a most critical juncture in the State's politics.
Following a popular upsurge in the party, Mr. Naidu was unanimously elected as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh on 1 September 1995.Following the elections to the State assembly wherein the Telugu Desam Party led by Mr. Naidu emerged as a winner, he was sworn in on 11 October 1999 as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh for the second term. He was elected with a majority of more than 65,000 votes.Naidu has a modern outlook to administration. His style of functioning is more akin to that of a CEO rather than a traditional politician. Naidu has a firm conviction that modern technology should be used in the service of the common man. Consequently, he lays great emphasis on the use of modern information technology in Government. He would like the State to be run professionally as an efficient organisation rather than as a bureaucracy saddled with red-tape.