The Telugu Desam Party recently held the centenary celebrations of SR NTR on May 20, 2023, in Hyderabad. Despite being invited, NTR could not attend the event. R Narayana Murthy, a guest at the ceremony, criticized the Indian Government for not honoring SR NTR with the Bharat Ratna award.
Nandamuri Balakrishna took charge of the centenary celebrations, which saw the presence of senior actors and film celebrities such as Murali Mohan, Jayaprada, Jayasudha, and Krishnaveni. Young stars like Ram Charan, Naga Chaitanya, Sumanth, Adivi Sesh, Vishwak Sen, and Sidhu Jonnalagadala also attended and spoke at the event. Notable politicians, including Chandrababu, Bandaru Dattatreya, Sitaram Yechury, and filmmaker R Narayana Murthy, were present.
R Narayana Murthy delivered an impactful speech, acknowledging NTR as a political maverick who adapted to changing times. He praised Balakrishna for carrying forward NTR’s acting legacy. Murthy highlighted NTR’s versatility as an actor, mentioning his ability to excel in all kinds of roles and appearances.
Murthy also highlighted NTR’s political achievements, including his impressive eight-month battle against the national party Congress, which showcased the strength of the Telugu people. He expressed disappointment that SR NTR has not been awarded the Bharat Ratna, citing the example of MBR, who received the honor based on political considerations. Murthy demanded that SR NTR be recognized with the Bharat Ratna, emphasizing his worthiness for the prestigious award.
R Narayana Murthy urged Telangana CM KCR and AP CM JAGAN to join the fight for granting Bharat Ratna to SR NTR. He mentioned that even Mega Star Chiranjeevi had previously advocated for the same cause.