Will the industry be named after NTR and ANR?

His death is not a loss to Telugu and Hindi film industries, but to the global film industry. I don’t remember any international actor starring in a film when he’s in his 90’s, but ANR is an exception. Till his last breath, he wanted to render services to the industry. He has no great educational background but has mastered the art of life,” his co-star of many films Murali Mohan said.

Mohan was in Rajahmundry when he first got the news of ANR’s death. “As a mark of respect for his immense contribution to the film fraternity, the industry will be closed on Thursday. All the film bodies associated with Film Chamber too will remain shut,” he says, adding that theatres across Hyderabad too will not conduct any screenings on Friday.

Mohan is also keen that ANR’s mortal remains be buried at the studio that the tragedy king has built -- the Annapurna Studio. “We want the last rites to be performed here. We are also hopeful that a ghat, similar to that of NTR ghat, be constructed at Annapurna Studio itself. We discussed this with Nagarjuna,” he points out.

And there are others who feel that it’s high time that the industry gets a proper name instead of being called as Telugu film industry or Tollywood. “Everybody lived with the joy that ANR was hale and healthy when NTR passed away. But the former too left us. The contributions of both the legends are unparallel. It’s the right time for the industry to be named after them,” feels actor-turned-leader Roja. She has also starred with ANR in two films.