National award winning Hindi film actress and social worker, Shabana Azmi was awarded with the annual ANR award, for 2007, on 13th Jan at a function held at Ravindra Bharati. The award, the second since it was established in 2006, was handed over by veteran actor ANR to Shabana Azmi. Present on the occasion were Central Minister and chief guest for the occasion Mrs. Meena Kumar, Minister T.Subbirami Reddy, Nagarjuna, Venkat Akkineni, Sumanth and V.B.Rajendra Prasad.

Speaking about the award its' founder ANR said "From a mere farmer's son I worked hard to become an actor and a studio owner. Today my sons are making films of their own and my grandchildren are ready to take their steps into this field. The thought of giving away an ANR award to deserving people from the film industry, came to me after I recieved the Dada Saheb Phalke Award. That is when I established the Akkineni foundation. Not only is Shabana Azmi a brilliant actress but she is also an amazing women with a heart for the people in need. Her work for the needy is praiseworthy. Her father Kaif Azmi was a well known poet and so is her husband Javed Akthar".

"Nobody is alone on the road to success" actress Shabana Azmi said "I would like to thank everybody who has been a part of my success. What makes this award extra special for me is that I am recieving this in my home town of Hyderabad".

Minister Mrs.Meera, who felicitated the actress also, spoke on the occasion "Shabana Azmi has inspired a lot of people by her acting as well as with her social work. ANR and Shabana are two of those few actors who have realized their responsibilities towards the society and worked towards it".