Team 'SIR' is proud of the award-winning government school teacher K Rangaiah, who recently was feted with the President's Award for doing things that have some resemblance to what Dhanush's character in the Venky Atluri achieved.

The 'Tholi Prema' and 'Mr. Majnu' director called on K Rangaiah for the purpose. It is learned that the filmmaker held a conversation with the teacher. "Rangaiah has been instrumental in bringing back students to schools in Savarkhed, his native village. He steadfastly ran campaigns against stubborn problems that kept children away from schools in the region," a source says.

Dhanush's character in 'SIR' made him identify himself with it. His struggle and fight happened for more than a decade.

Sithara Entertainments, which has produced 'SIR' ('Vaathi' in Tamil) gifted the teacher a sum of Rs 3 lakh. The money will be spent towards the betterment of educational opportunities in a village.

Starring Sai Kumar, Samuthirakani, Samyuktha Menon and others, 'SIR' is a box-office hit everywhere.