When Legend Saw Felicitation Politics!

Legendary actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao after becoming a star used to attend film events, cultural functions on his own expenses. When organizers of Vijayangaram Raghava Natakostavam invited him to inaugurate an event in 1953, he readily agreed and booked ticket in Howrah Mail.

Anr started previous night at 9PM and reached Vijayanagaram afternoon at 2PM. During those days there was only first class and no AC compartments. He travelled all alone sitting in the compartment. This happened when his Devdas turned out to be a sensation. Later Anr used to attend only important meetings and that too only if organizers bear his expenses.

Anr on one occasion revealed the reason behind his change of stand. He said, “Once organizers invited me, Jaggaiah and Anjali Devi for felicitation. We went to the function. The organizers sold tickets for the function as they felt that people would throng and it would create a problem. We sat on the dais and observed that the organizers are collecting tickets from the people. We felt that organizers are doing business using us. After noticing this, I decided to attend only select functions and not agree for all felicitations."