Writer-actor-director Tanikella Bharani was given the national award instituted in the name of late Allu Ramalingayya for the year 2012 yesterday. He was presented the award in a grand function attended by cine stalwarts and also political personalities like Vatti Vasanth Kumar, Kotthapalli Subbarayudu and others.

Speaking at the function, Chiranjeevi praised Bharani's immense writing and acting talent. "I had the opportunity to know more about his personality when we worked together for Indra. Since then, my respect for him has only increased. He performed like a real villain in Shiva," he said.

Praising Bharani's knack for narrating the philosophy of Lord Shiva in a unique way, Chiru said that when he does that he seems like a friend of the Lord.