B. Nagi Reddy annual film awards instituted

The year-long celebrations of the birth centenary of Indian film industry doyen B. Nagi Reddy are on.

Annual film awards in his name have been instituted. Best films both in Tamil and Telugu selected by the panels whose members will be eminent personalities in the field of arts, will receive awards every year. Award presentation ceremonies will be held in Chennai as well as in Hyderabad.

B. Venkatrama Reddy announced this at a media conference after the conclusion of a function to mark the start of the celebrations in Chennai last week. Among those attended the function were Sowcar Janaki, Gollapudi Maruti Rao, S.P. Muthuraman, B. Bharathi Reddy and Rambabu.

Venkatrama Reddy confirmed the news that Ajit would act in a film in memory of B. Nagi Reddy. 'Siruthai' Siva will direct this film to be produced by Venkatrama Reddy and B. Bharathi Reddy under the banner of Vijaya Productions. Yuvan Shankar Raja will score the music and Vetri will handle the camera. The shooting of the film will start in June.

A postage stamp will be released in commemoration of the Nagi Reddy centenary. Free medical camps, as the one held at Vijaya Hospital, Vadapalani, on Dec.4, will be organized in villages during the year, Venkatrama Reddy said.

Nagi Reddy was one of the pioneers of Indian cinema and had produced, presented and directed several blockbusters, including 'Pathala Bhairavi', 'Maya Bazaar', 'Missiamma', 'Ram Aur Shyam' and 'Enga Veetu Pen'. He also owned one of Asia's biggest studios till the 80s.