Akkineni Nageswara Rao (20 September 1923[1] – 22 January 2014), known as ANR, was an Indian actor and film producer in Telugu cinema.

He also portrayed mythological figures such as Lord Vishnu in Chenchu Lakshmi (1958), Narada in Bhookailas (1958), and Arjuna in Sri Krishnarjuna Yuddhamu (1963).

His performances in romantic dramas include Laila Majnu (1949), Devadasu (1953), Anarkali (1955), Batasari (1961), Mooga Manasulu (1964), Prema Nagar (1971), Premabhishekam (1981), and Meghasandesam (1982).

[4][5] He also starred in Balaraju (1948), Keelu Gurram (1949), Ardhangi (1955), Donga Ramudu (1955), Mangalya Balam (1958), Gundamma Katha (1962), Doctor Chakravarty (1964), Dharma Daata (1970), and Dasara Bullodu (1971).

[11] Akkineni Nageswara Rao was born into a lower-middle-class Kamma family on 20 September 1923 in Ramapuram, Krishna District, of present-day Andhra Pradesh.

His most famous roles were in notable dramas Harishchandra, Kanakatara, Vipranarayana, Telugu Talli, Aasajyoti and Satyanveshanam.

The turning point of his career was when Ghantasala Balaramayya, a prominent film producer at that time, discovered him at the Vijayawada railway station.

[21] Some of his many commercially successful films are Maya Bazaar, Samsaram, Bratuku Theruvu, Aradhana, Donga Ramudu, Dr. Chakravarthi, Ardhaangi, Mangalya Balam, Illarikam, Shantinivasam, Velugu Needalu, Dasara Bullodu, Bharya Bhartalu, Dharmadata, Batasari and College Bullodu.

He was instrumental in the construction of the Akkineni Varadhi (a bridge named after him), which improved his village's economy by facilitating easy connectivity.

Rao donated to educational institutions since the beginning of his career and created scholarships at GITAM University (Vizag).

[27] Rao was a Life member of the board and an adviser to the Department of Dramatics and Theatre Arts of Andhra University.

[31] He continued shooting for his final film Manam two weeks after a major laparoscopic surgery, which some doctors feared he wouldn't survive.