1st ANR award found by ANR International Foundation was presented to Bollywood legend Devanand by Sushil Kumar Shinde (Governor of AP). This function was attended by CM YS Raja Sekhara Reddy, Central Minister Priyaranjan Das Munshi, ANR, Venkat Akkineni, K Raghavendra Rao, Nagarjuna, Sumanth, Amala, Supriya, MS Reddy, S Gopal Reddy, D Suresh Babu, KL Narayana, C Narayana Reddy, Satyanarayana, Gummadi, Kantha Rao and Konda Krishnam Raju.

CM YSR said, “Dev Anand’s passion for cinema reflects in the fact that he made ‘Prime Minister’ film at an age of 85. Everybody should take Dev Anand as inspiration for that. Celebrities from film media are serving society in their own way. Likewise ANR is giving his award to an achiever every year. Dev Anand influenced the society with his work. I used to watch Dev Anand’s films in the past. I like his Guide film a lot. He created his unique style in Indian film industry.”

ANR said, “Dev Anand is an ever-green hero. We started Akkineni International Foundation and kept 1 lakh earned from Dada Phalke Award into that fund. Since then I deposited 50% of my earnings into that fund. Now that fund has reached to 1 crore and we decided that it’s the time to start awards.”

Devanand expressed his immense satisfaction over receiving the award and opined that ANR award is the best award he received so far.

Nagarjuna gave an introductory speech and expressed happiness over establishing an award on his father’s name. He said that Devanand is an accomplished actor who reached to greater heights.