Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his final Mann Ki Baat address of 2024 on Sunday, paid tribute to four icons of Indian cinema—Raj Kapoor, Mohammed Rafi, Akkineni Nageswara Rao (ANR), and Tapan Sinha—marking their birth centenary year.
“In 2024, we are celebrating the birth centenary of several film personalities who were instrumental in bringing global recognition to the country,” the Prime Minister said. “The lives of these personalities are a source of inspiration for our film industry.”
Highlighting their contributions, Modi stated, “Through his films, Raj Kapoor ji made the world aware of India’s soft power.” He praised Mohammed Rafi’s “magical voice” for touching the hearts of listeners across generations. “Be it devotional songs, romantic songs, or sad songs, he made every emotion come alive with his voice. The fact that the youth of today also listens to his songs with the same passion is a testament to his greatness as an artist. This is the true meaning of timeless art,” Modi remarked.
On Akkineni Nageswara Rao, the Prime Minister credited him with elevating Telugu cinema to new heights, saying, “His films beautifully depicted Indian traditions and values.” He also lauded Tapan Sinha for offering a new vision to society through his socially conscious films, which conveyed messages of national unity.
The birth centenaries of Raj Kapoor, regarded as the showman of Hindi cinema, and Mohammed Rafi, celebrated for his unparalleled playback singing, were recently commemorated on December 14 and December 24, respectively.
ANR, a towering figure in Telugu cinema with a career spanning over seven decades and numerous landmark films, was remembered on his 100th birth anniversary on September 20.
Tapan Sinha, one of the most celebrated directors of Bengali cinema and a contemporary of Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak, and Mrinal Sen, would have turned 100 on October 2. His films were known for their strong social messages and artistic brilliance.
