SS Rajamouli was on Sunday given away the ANR National Award by the Hon'ble Vice-President of India, Sri M Venkaiah Naidu. Speaking on the occasion, Rajamouli said, "I am very proud to receive this national award instituted in the name of the great Nageshwar Rao garu. I will work even harder to bring greater honour to this Award." 

Rajamouli likened ANR to Mahabharatha's mythological figures in the context of talking about how the legendary actor had dared death. "When Akkineni garu lived, he dared death to touch him. He gave death 14 years' time. Bhismacharyulu talked to death in Mahabharatham. In Kali Yuga, only ANR garu did it," the 'Baahubali' maker said.

Chief Minister KCR was also present. Rajamouli hailed the decision of the Telangana government to make the learning of Telugu compulsory up to Intermediate.