20 November,2025 11:20 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Nandamuri Balakrishna
Veteran actor Nandamuri Balakrishna attended the opening ceremony of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa, where he was honoured for completing 50 years in the industry. At the festival, while speaking to reporters, he criticised the alleged overuse of technology in filmmaking. He called himself an "original" actor and said that heroes today only shoot using green screens.
Addressing mediapersons on the sidelines of IFFI Goa 2025, Balakrishna spoke about the "technical domination" in modern filmmaking while reflecting on his five-decade legacy in the entertainment industry.
"I have completed 50 years in the film industry. Why? It's not because I am the son of NTR that I am continuing. It is the knowledge I have about movies, and it's the legacy I am carrying forward. I am proud of it. But nowadays filmmaking is totally technique-dominated," Balakrishna said.
Calling himself an "original actor" compared to the present era's reliance on VFX, he added, "My movies are larger than life. So my stories are important for me, and we use technology when needed. Nowadays, they are using it for everything. The heroes don't even come to the sets. They just shoot before the green mat or the blue mat. And I am original. I am not a duplicate."
The 56th International Film Festival of India is currently underway in Goa and will run till November 28. Legendary Telugu actor Nandamuri Balakrishna was honoured at the opening ceremony for completing 50 years in cinema.
Speaking on stage, Balakrishna said he was thrilled to be part of the celebration. "I'm happy to be born here. I'm lucky to be born to my parents. I started a cancer hospital of international standards in Hyderabad after my mother passed away. I'm thankful to my wife and family for their support," he said after receiving the honour from the Goa CM and Governor Ashok Gajapathi Raju.
Balakrishna has acted in more than 100 films and is known for movies such as Samarasimha Reddy, Simha, Aditya 369, and Muddula Mavayya.
The festival will feature over 240 films from 81 countries, including 13 world premieres, five international premieres, and 44 Asian premieres.
Japan is the âCountry of Focus' for 2025 with six curated titles representing its evolving cinematic language. Spain will serve as the âPartner Country', while Australia will be the âSpotlight Country'.
