ANU presents actress Radhika with ‘Visishta Mahila’ award

Noted actress Radhika Sarath Kumar was awarded the prestigious 2024 Visishta Mahila Pratibha Puraskar (Distinguished Woman Talent Award) by Acharya Nagarjuna University (ANU) on International Women’s Day. The ceremony was held on Saturday at the ANU under the auspices of the Women’s Studies Centre and celebrated the achievements of women and their vital role in society.
Receiving the award from ANU Vice Chancellor Prof P Rajasekhar, Radhika addressed the audience, particularly the students. She emphasized the importance of perseverance and dedication in achieving goals. Highlighting the value of learning from both victory and defeat, she encouraged them to strive for excellence. Radhika openly shared her experiences, acknowledging the ups and downs she faced throughout her career.  Her unwavering belief in herself and her chosen profession, she stressed, were key factors in her success. She urged women to embrace their capabilities and shatter stereotypes, proving they can achieve anything they set their minds to.
Radhika reminisced about her extensive filmography, spanning Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, and Hindi.  She fondly named ANR, Shobhan Babu, and Chiranjeevi as her favourites in Telugu cinema, with Chiranjeevi being a dear friend.  Among the current generation, she expressed admiration for Jr. NTR, vowing to watch more of his work. Offering advice to aspiring actors, Radhika cautioned against unrealistic expectations and the glamour often associated with the industry.  She emphasized the need for continuous effort and dedication to reach the pinnacle of success.
Prof Rajasekhar, the Vice Chancellor, elaborated on ANU’s tradition of recognizing and honouring exceptional women. He commended Radhika’s versatility as an actress, highlighting her impressive filmography across multiple languages.  He also acknowledged the film “Swathimutyam,” starring Radhika, which received an Oscar nomination.
Prof Rajasekhar further spoke about the university’s commitment to women’s empowerment, aligning with the vision of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy.  He announced the allocation of previously male-dominated positions, such as Registrar and OSD Coordinator for professional courses, to qualified women, leveraging their administrative talents for the university’s progress.
The ceremony was graced by the presence of several dignitaries, including Prof P. Varaprasada Murthy (Rector), Prof B Karuna (Registrar), Prof K Sunitha (OSD), principals of various colleges, Dr KV Shanthi Shri (Director, Women’s Studies Center), and Dr P Kiranmayi (Coordinator, Research and Development Cell).