Late Dasari Narayana Rao's Jayanthi (May 4) has been celebrated as Director's Day in Tollywood. This time, the event was held with Megastar Chiranjeevi as the chief guest. On the occasion, the 'Sye Raa' actor unveiled a website launched by the Telugu Film Directors' Association.

Importantly, Chiru donated Rs 25 lakh to the Telugu Film Directors' Association towards the welfare of poor directors. Director K Raghavendra Rao donated another Rs 25 lakh (Rs 10 lakh from his pocket and Rs 15 lakh from the 'Baahubali' producers).

Director SS Rajamouli has pledged another Rs 50 lakh.

He gave away the T Krishna Award to first-time director Venu Udugula for 'Naadhi Needhi Okate Katha', and the Kodi Ramakrishna Award to first-time director Maha Venkatesh for 'C/o Kancharapalem'. Ajay Bhupathi of 'Rx 100' received the Vijaya Bapineedu Award, while Venky Kudumula of 'Chalo' received the EVV Award.

Speaking on the occasion, Chiru said that there is no greater recognition for a director than Director's Day being celebrated on Dasari's Jayanthi. "He knew all crafts in depth. I could work only on one film with him ('Lankeswarudu'). I got to work with K Raghavendra Rao garu in many films. I have always felt sad that I couldn't get to work more with Dasari garu," Chiru said.

The Megastar revealed for the first time that he and Dasari are related. "Not many know that he is equivalent of a grandfather to me," he said.

Chiru added that there are so many great directors in Tollywood but Dasari's style was unique.