Actor Sobhita Dhulipala expressed her gratitude and emotion after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Parliament House on Friday. She, along with veteran actor Nagarjuna, his son Naga Chaitanya, and wife Amala Akkineni, had the opportunity to present the PM with a special gift – a set of Kondapalli Bommalu (dancing dolls), a traditional handicraft from Andhra Pradesh.
A Tribute to Akkineni Nageswara Rao
The family also presented PM Modi with the book Akkineni Ka Virat Vyaktitva, written by Padma Bhushan awardee Dr. Yarlagadda Lakshmi Prasad, as a tribute to Akkineni Nageswara Rao (ANR), Nagarjuna’s late father and a legendary figure in Telugu cinema.
Taking to Instagram, Sobhita Dhulipala and Naga Chaitanya shared a joint post with photos from their meeting. Expressing her emotions, Sobhita wrote,
“Profoundly thankful to Hon’ble Prime Minister @narendramodi ji for today’s meeting at Parliament House. It was an honour to present ‘Akkineni Ka Virat Vyaktitva,’ a tribute to ANR garu’s cinematic heritage. Your recognition of his life’s work is a treasured affirmation for our family, fans, and Indian movie lovers.”
She also shared her joy in gifting the Kondapalli Bommalu, recalling how much the dolls meant to her childhood memories in Tenali. She added,
“Anyone who knows me knows how much I adore Kondapalli Bommalu (dancing dolls). So happy to be able to gift him one, and to find that he knows all about this old handicraft and its nativity to Andhra Pradesh.”
Nagarjuna Expresses Gratitude
Veteran actor Nagarjuna also posted pictures from the meeting and shared his appreciation for PM Modi’s acknowledgment of his father’s contributions to cinema and philanthropy. He wrote,
“It was overwhelming to hear Hon’ble Prime Minister @narendramodi ji’s commendations for ANR gaaru’s philanthropic legacy and his high regard for both @AnnapurnaStdios and Annapurna College of Film and Media as a pivotal institution for aspiring filmmakers. This esteemed acknowledgement fills us with pride and gratitude.”
PM Modi’s Tribute to Akkineni Nageswara Rao
In his last Mann Ki Baat address of 2024, PM Modi paid tribute to four icons of Indian cinema – Raj Kapoor, Mohammed Rafi, Akkineni Nageswara Rao, and Tapan Sinha. He specifically praised ANR for his contribution to Telugu cinema, stating,
“Akkineni Nageswara Rao Garu took Telugu cinema to new heights. His films presented Indian traditions and values very well.”
The heartfelt interaction between the Akkineni family and PM Modi has deeply resonated with fans of Telugu cinema, celebrating the enduring legacy of ANR and the cultural heritage of Kondapalli Bommalu.
Sources By Agencies
