Skip to content
MovieCove
Akkineni Nageswara Rao

Akkineni Nageswara Rao

Actor, also producer · Died January 22, 2014, aged 90 · Ramapuram, Madras Presidency, British India

Akkineni Nageswara Rao (September 20, 1923 – January 22, 2014), known by the initialism ANR, was an Indian actor and film producer who worked predominantly in Telugu cinema alongside appearances in Tamil films. After starting in theatre and making his screen debut in *Dharmapatni* (1941), he achieved his breakthrough as a leading man in the folklore fantasy *Balaraju* (1948) and the romance *Keelu Gurram* (1949). Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, he established himself as a central figure in South Indian cinema, headlining the tragic romance *Devadasu* (1953), the social comedies *Missamma* (1955) and *Gundamma Katha* (1962), the mythological drama *Mayabazar* (1957), and the drama *Doctor Chakravarthy* (1964). In the 1970s and 1980s, Rao continued as a commercial lead in the romantic drama *Prema Nagar* (1971), the musical drama *Meghasandesam* (1982), and the romance *Premabhishekam* (1981). Beginning in the 1990s, he transitioned into senior character roles, starring in the family drama *Seetharamaiah Gari Manavaralu* (1991), *Bangaru Kutumbam* (1994), and the devotional features *Sri Ramadasu* (2006) and *Sri Rama Rajyam* (2011). His final screen appearance was in the fantasy drama *Manam* (2014), which he also co-produced. Beyond acting, he established Annapurna Studios in Hyderabad. For his contributions to cinema, he was awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1990, followed by the Padma Vibhushan in 2011.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
September 20, 1923
Died
January 22, 2014 (aged 90)
From
Ramapuram, Madras Presidency, British India
Works as
Actor, also producer
Titles
11 on MovieCove · 131 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 3% in 30 days

What are Akkineni Nageswara Rao's films like?

Across their 11 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.

Genres

Drama8 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 61st percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 93rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
46%
Morality
27%
Self
22%
Power
3%
Survival
2%
Family bonds5 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love3 titles, browse their movies with this themeDuty3 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity2 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty2 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 11 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 5 · Serious 3 · Dark 3

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 4 · Stylized 4 · Heightened 3

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 2 · Charged 6 · Intense 3

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 7 · Shifting 4 · Whiplash 0

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 8 · Some laughs 3 · Funny 0

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 8 · Even-paced 3 · Relentless 0

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 6 · Engaged 5 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 11 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

10 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 8 of 10 analyzed roles.

Hero
8 of 10
Mentor
2 of 10
Show the 10 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Melancholic
7
Warm
4
Romantic
4
Joyful
3
Tense
3
Other
7

How their films linger

Feel-good5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy6
  • Bittersweet5

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Akkineni Nageswara Rao's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 9 of their 11 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Akkineni Nageswara Rao's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

131 credits, 11 with a MovieCove page.

  • Pratibimbalu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Actor

  • Manam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Producer · as Chaitanya

  • Sri Rama Rajyam(2011)

    as Valmiki

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Jayeebhava (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Ram's Grandfather

  • Sri Ramadasu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Kabirdas

  • Chukkallo Chandrudu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Actor

  • Sakutumba Saparivara Sametam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Janakiramayya

  • Sri Sitaramula Kalyanam Chutamu Rarandi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Actor

  • Pandaga (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Suryadevara Lakshmi Raghava Vara Prasad

  • Rayudugaru Nayudugaru (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Actor

  • Gandeevam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Chakravarthy

  • Bangaru Kutumbam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Srinivasa Rao

  • Mechanic Alludu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Jagannatham

  • Rajeswari Kalyanam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Actor

  • Pranadaata (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Dr. Chakravarthy

  • Seetharamaiah Gari Manavaralu(1991)

    as Seetharamaiah

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Iddaru Iddare (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Actor

  • Dagudumuthala Dampathyam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Raja Shekaram

  • Sutradhaarulu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Actor

  • Rao Gari Illu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Anand Rao

  • Rajakiya Chadurangam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Chief Minister Satya Murthy

  • Agni Putrudu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Actor

  • Collector Gari Abbai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Collector Rama Kantha Rao

  • Brahma Rudrulu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Actor

  • Illale Devatha (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Gopi Krishna

  • Bharyabhartala Bandham (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Sanjeevi

  • జస్టిస్ చక్రవర్తి (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Justice Chakravarthy / Kalyan

  • Tandava Krishnudu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Chakravarthy

  • Sriranga Neethulu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Rajesh

  • Bahudoorapu Batasari (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Prasad

  • Oorantha Sankranthi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Venu

  • Muddula Mogudu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Prasad

  • Prem Tapasya(1983)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Meghasandesam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Ravindra Babu

  • Bangaru Kanuka (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Actor

  • Yuvaraju (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Actor

  • Prema Mandiram (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Pedababu Sarvarayudu / Chinnababu

  • Prema Kanuka (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Raja Shekaram

  • Guru Sishyulu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Kalyan

  • Premabhishekam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Rajesh

  • Pilla Zamindar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Actor

  • Nayakudu Vinayakudu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Chiranjeevi

  • Yedanthasthula Meda (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Ranga Rao & Venu (Dual role)

  • Hema Hemeelu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Red Lion Raghuveer & Rama Chandra

  • Ravanude Ramudaithe (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Actor

  • Vichitra Jeevitham (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Chandra Shekar

  • Chilipi Krishnudu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Krishna

  • Chanakya Chandragupta (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Chanakya

  • Mahakavi Ashethrayya (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as Varadhayya

  • Andala Ramudu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    as Ramudu

  • Bhakta Tukaram (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    as Tukaram

  • Bharatha Vilas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    as Telugu actor

  • Bangaru Babu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    as Buchi Babu

  • Koduku Kodalu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as Raja Shekar

  • Prema Nagar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Actor

  • Srimanthudu(1971)

    as Raja

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Dasara Bullodu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Actor

  • Dharma Daata (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    as Raja Raghupathi Rao & Sekhar

  • Maro Prapancham (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Producer · as Special CBI Officer Ravindra Nath

  • Akka Chellelu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    as Justice Ramachandra Rao / Raju

  • Aathmeeyulu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    as Suryam

  • Aadarsa Kutumbam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    as Prasad

  • Mooga Nomu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    as Venu

  • Adrushtavanthulu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    as Raghu

  • Manchi Kutumbam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    as Venu Gopal Rao

  • Sudigundalu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    as Gumasta

  • Rahasyam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    as Mandakudu

  • Vasantha Sena (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    as Chaaru Datta

  • Aastiparulu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    as Krishna / Seenu

  • Manase Mandiram(1966)

    as Dr. Raghu

  • Navaratri (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Actor

  • Zamindar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Actor

  • Aatma Gowravam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Actor

  • Antastulu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    as Raghu

  • Doctor Chakravarthy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    as Dr. Chakravarthy

  • Mooga Manasulu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Actor

  • Aatma Balam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    as Anand

  • Pooja Phalamu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Actor

  • Punarjanma (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Actor

  • Chaduvukunna Ammayilu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    as Sekhar

  • Sri Krishnarjuna Yudham(1963)

    as Arjuna

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • Kula Gotralu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    as Ravi

  • Gundamma Katha (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    as Raja

  • Manchi Manasulu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    as Venu

  • Aradhana (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    as Dr. Murali Krishna

  • Manithan Maravillai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Actor

  • Batasari (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    as Surendranath / Suren

  • Bhaktha Jayadeva (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    as Jayadeva

  • Velugu Needalu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    as Chandram

  • Bharya Bharthalu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    as Anand

  • Maa Babu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Actor

  • Pelli Kanuka (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    as Bhaskar

  • Mahakavi Kalidasu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    as Kalidasa

  • Nammina Bantu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Actor

  • Illarikam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Actor

  • Kalyana Parisu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    as Raghu

  • Mangalya Balam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    as Chandrasekhar

  • Manjal Mahimai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    as Chandrasekhar

  • Pelli Naati Pramanalu(1958)

    as Krishna Rao

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Women's Authority (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Actor

  • Bhookailas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    as Narada Maharshi

  • Alladin and the Wonderful Lamp(1957)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Mayabazar(1957)

    as Abhimanyu

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Thodi Kodallu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    as Gopu

  • Dongallo Dora(1957)

    Actor

  • Charana Daasi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    as Venu

  • Matharkula Manikkam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    as Ravi

  • Bhale Ramudu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    as Rama Krishna

  • Tenali Ramakrishna(1956)

    as Tenali Ramakrishna

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Donga Ramudu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    as Ramudu

  • Anarkali (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    as Salim

  • Rojulu Maraayi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    as Venu

  • Ardhangi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    as Raghunatha Rao / Raghu

  • Missamma (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    as A. K. Raju

  • Vipra Narayana (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    as Vipranarayana

  • Parivartana (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    as Satyam

  • Chakrapani (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    Actor

  • Devadasu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    as Devadasu

  • Poongothai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    as Chandram

  • Or Iravu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    as Dr. Sekhar

  • Samsaram (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    as Venu

  • Swapna Sundari (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    as Prabhu

  • Palletoori Pilla (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    as Vasanth

  • Laila Majnu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    as Qais

  • Raksha Rekha (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    as Sudhakar

  • Keelu Gurram (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    as Vikrama

  • Balaraju (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    as Balaraju

  • Vindhya Rani (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    Actor

  • Palnati Yudham (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1947)

    as Balachandrudu

  • Mugguru Maratilu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)

    Actor

  • Mayalokam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1945)

    as Sarabandi Raju

Career shape

Star power in the 69th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 129 titles from 1945 to 2022.

Highest rated

Mayabazar (1957)

Midcredits 99th

Most popular right now

Sri Krishnarjuna Yudham (1963)

Film career

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting129 of 129: 127 only acting, 2 with another role · typical Midcredits score81stProducing2 of 129: 0 only producing, 2 with another role

By decade

1940s8 · acting1950s28 · acting1960s34 · acting1970s17 · 17 acting · 1 crew1980s24 · acting1990s11 · acting2000s4 · acting2010s2 · 2 acting · 1 crew2020s1 · acting

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored.

How do Akkineni Nageswara Rao's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 70th percentile, the median of the 9 of 11 with a score; across their 11 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 56th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

56thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Approval · how many liked their films

81stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Reach · how many have seen their films

4thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Midcredits score across 9 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up4
  • 50th to 74th3
  • 25th to 49th1
  • Below 25th1

Shape of the crowd

4 of their 9 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved1
  • Divisive3
  • Cult Classic1
  • Mixed4

Most divisive · actor

Alladin and the Wonderful Lamp (1957)

96th percentile spread · 38% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Mayabazar (1957)

Midcredits 99th · 93% liked

Reviewers score the acting 83/100 in their films, across 3 reviewed titles; fans 88, detractors 40. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does Akkineni Nageswara Rao work with?

People who share at least 2 of Akkineni Nageswara Rao's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Gummadi shares the most, 4.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers

Mixed roles