Nagarjuna Turns 65: Telugu Cinema Icon's Top Movies, Songs and Family Life

Akkineni Nagarjuna, a prominent figure in Indian cinema, is renowned for his versatility and charismatic screen presence. Born on August 29, 1959, Nagarjuna has made significant contributions to both Telugu and Hindi films. He is celebrated for his roles in critically acclaimed movies such as “Geethanjali,” “Annamayya,” and “Siva.”

With a career spanning over four decades, Nagarjuna has received numerous awards, including National Film Awards and Filmfare Awards, cementing his status as one of the leading actors in Indian cinema. Beyond his acting career, he is also known for his philanthropic efforts and contributions to the cultural landscape of Indian film and television.

As the Telugu Cinema icon celebrates his 65th birthday today on August 29, 2024, here’s a look at his personal and professional life.

Nagarjuna’s Early Life

Akkineni Nagarjuna hailed from one of the most influential families in the Telegu film industry. He was born to eminent actor and producer Akkineni Nageshwara Rao, widely known as ANR, who has given massive hits in his 75-year-old career. After pursuing Mechanical Engineering during his graduation, the actor walked in his father’s footsteps and crafted a niche for himself in the film industry.

Nagarjuna’s Personal Life

Nagarjuna was initially married to famous Telugu film producer Dr D. Ramanaidu’s daughter, Lakshmi Daggubati. The family arranged their wedding, and within two years of marital bliss, Nagarjuna and Lakshmi were blessed with a boy, Naga Chaitanya.

After being married for six years, they decided to part ways in 1990.

Following this, Nagarjuna married South Indian actress Amala Mukherjee in June 1992, and they welcomed their son Akhil in 1994.

However, Nagarjuna was also rumoured to be allegedly dating popular actress Tabu. The rumours hit the headlines after the two swooned hearts with their chemistry in Telugu films like Aavida Maa Aavide, Ninne Pelladata and Sisindri, but neither of them ever admitted the same.

Nagarjuna’s Journey in the Entertainment Industry

Nagarjuna stepped into the field of acting as an infant in the movie Velugu Needalu, starring his father, and then as a child artist in the 1967 Telugu film Sudigundalu. Finally, in 1986, Nagarjuna made his debut as a lead actor with the commercially successful Telugu film Vikram, released in 1986. Since then, he has never looked back and has been working on one after the other films.

Nagarjuna’s Top Movies

1. Geethanjali (1989)Geethanjali is a romantic drama directed by Mani Ratnam. The film tells the poignant story of Prakash (played by Akkineni Nagarjuna), a young man facing a terminal illness whose life changes dramatically when he meets the vibrant Geethanjali (played by Girija). As their romance blossoms against a backdrop of misty landscapes, Geethanjali harbors a mysterious secret that threatens their relationship. The film won the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment in 1989.
2. Annamayya (1997)Annamayya is a hagiographical film directed by K. Raghavendra Rao, depicting the life of 15th-century composer Annamacharya, portrayed by Nagarjuna. The film was met with critical acclaim and garnered numerous accolades, including eight Nandi Awards, three Filmfare Awards, and two National Film Awards, recognizing its excellence in storytelling and performances.
3. Siva (1989)Siva, a crime action film directed by Ram Gopal Varma, is inspired by “The Way of the Dragon” (1972). It explores the conflict between Siva (played by Nagarjuna), a former college student turned gangster, and Bhavani (played by Raghuvaran), a powerful crime lord. The film received three Nandi Awards for Best Director (Varma), Best First Film of a Director, and Best Dialogue Writer (Bharani).
4. Khuda Gawah (1992)In Khuda Gawah, Nagarjuna featured alongside Amitabh Bachchan and Sridevi. Directed by Mukul S. Anand, with a script by Rajkumar Bedi and Santosh Saroj, the film achieved significant commercial success, ranking as the third highest-grossing Hindi film of 1992.
5. Criminal (1994)Nagarjuna’s role as a doctor in “Criminal,” directed by Mahesh Bhatt, was notable for its bilingual release in both Telugu and Hindi. Although the film did not perform well in Telugu cinemas, it achieved considerable success in Bollywood.

Nagarjuna’s Top Songs

Here are some songs which have made a special place in many hearts:

1. Hey Menina from Nagarjuna’s film Manmadhudu 2, released in August 2019. Hey Menina was sung by Chaitan Bharadwaj.
2. Aamani from Nagarjuna’s 1989-released film Geetanjali. S. P. Balasubrahmanyam sang the 4 minutes 36 seconds musical number.
3. Kanulanu Thaake from the 2014 film Manam, which starred Nagarjuna. Arijit Singh sang the melody.
4. Chinni Chinni Aasalu is another hit song from Nagarjuna’s film Manam. Shreya Ghoshal, Ashwin, and Hari chorused it.

Awards and Projects

For his immense contribution to the film industry, Nagarjuna also received two National Film Awards, ten Andhra Pradesh Nandi Awards, and three Filmfare Awards South.

On the work front, Nagarjuna was last seen in the 2024 released film Naa Saami Ranga. The Greek hero of the South film industry is also hosting the reality TV show Bigg Boss South from 2019 to 2023.

Next, he will be seen in the upcoming movie Kubera, which will be released in December 2024.