Nikhil Siddharth, who turns 32 today, has decided to put off his birthday celebrations in the wake of Dasari Narayana Rao's demise. In an open letter addressing his fans and well-wishers, the 'Keshava' actor has expressed grief over the veteran director's death.

He is Nikhil's open letter:

Thanks for all your wishes and love that your showering on me on this special day. Professionally, this has been a big year for me and there is a lot to celebrate and celebrations were planned for the recent successes.

However a tragedy has struck in our family (film fraternity). We lost our guiding force Legend Dr. Dasari Narayana Rao garu. In this time of grief, I have decided to put aside my plans as a mark of tribute and respect to the Great Man whose contribution to industry and Society was outstanding.

Sir was not just a Guinness Record holder or a director of 150 plus films or A Producer and Leader Of the masses. He was also A soft, kind-hearted man who held the hand of Young upcoming filmmakers and guided them through their baby steps like a father.

Hundreds of small and medium films were rescued by him and filmmakers were saved. Several disputes and issues were solved by him on a daily basis and he was the person to look up to at times of crisis.

He was not just available to the elite in the industry but also to the daily wage worker or an upcoming novice actor.

I myself felt his kindness when he took time out and himself called us during 'Swamy Ra Ra' and 'Ekkadiki Pothavu Chinnavada' and arranged our 50 days functions for us. We were moved by his gesture towards us since we were so small when compared to his achievements, and I still have tears thinking this great man is no more.

It is a loss which can never be replaced and as time progresses his presence will be missed even more by all of us.

Everyone is in mourning and so am I, in grief and sorrow.

From,

A young actor who was blessed to have touched the legend's feet.