Sachin belong to a rare breed: Dir K Balachander

HYDERABAD: Eminent filmmaker K. Balachander has said Dada Saheb Phalke awardee Akkineni Nageswara Rao and cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar belonged to a rare league of achievers and those who shared the quality of ‘conquering time'.

The director of films like ‘Anthuleni Katha', ‘Rudraveena', ‘Marocharithra', ‘Aakali Rajyam' and ‘Ek Dooje Ke Liye', became the 6th recipient of the Akkineni Nageswara Rao Award 2010, instituted by the Akkineni International Foundation in the year 2005.

Graciously acknowledging the award here on Tuesday evening from Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, Union Minister for Law and Justice M. Veerappa Moily, Rajya Sabha Member T. Subbarami Reddy and the singing sensation, Indian Idol Sreeramchandra, the 81 year-old filmmaker said he accepted it with all graciousness, humility, honour and pride, respectfully touching the feet of the thespian, to applause.

Recalling that Mr. Rao was heard expressing his regrets that he had never worked with him, the director was thinking of creating a role to suit his stature, reputation, age and talent.

“I think I have to redefine my story because he looks young and fit enough for me to remake ‘Maro Charithra' all over again. Are you ready Mr. Rao ? Let us search for your heroine,” he said, making the audience erupt into laughter.

Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy said ever since his Hyderabad Public School days, he had known the actor Akkineni Nagarjuna as a senior. He recalled that when Mr. Balachander's ‘Aakali Rajyam' hit the screens, he was just an ‘unemployed graduate' and could identify with the subject.

Mr. Moily said he was a fan of Mr. Rao since a very young age and that of all the regional language films that the subject of ‘Devadas' was treated, the role essayed by Mr. Rao was the best. The Telugu ‘Devadas' was beyond compare, he added.