Akkineni Nageswara Rao award, instituted by the Akkineni International Foundation, is presented annually to an able person selected by the jury, for their contribution to the Telugu Film Industry.

Senior actress Vyjayanthimala Bali who acted in Telugu, Tamil and Hindi films has been selected to receive the ANR award for 2008.

Vyjayanthimala started her career in films with 'Vazhkai' in her native language Tamil and became one of the top heroines in Bollywood with hits like Nagin, Devdas, Madhumathi, Ganga Jamuna, Leader, Naya Daur, Sangam, Amrapali, Jewel Thief and many more. Later, she entered in to politics as a Member of Parliament.

The award carries Rs.4 lakhs in cash and citation. The award function will be held on 10th January at Jubilee Hills Club. The function will be graced by Chief Minister YS Rajasekhar Reddy, Subbirami Reddy and few more central ministers.