From classroom to cinema: Nagarjuna Akkineni’s strong educational background will surprise you

Nagarjuna Akkineni, who commands great respect in the Telugu film industry, was well-educated before choosing a film career. On 29 August 1959, Madras (now Chennai) became home to the son of the legendary actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao. Being the son of a cinema legend, most people assumed Nagarjuna would try his hand at films at a very young age. However, his family prioritized education and personal development equally. After spending his early childhood in Chennai, Nagarjuna's family relocated to Hyderabad. He attended Hyderabad Public School, one of the city's reputed schools. The school played an important role in shaping his discipline and confidence. Even during his student years, Nagarjuna was known to be calm, focused, and academically inclined.College education and early interest in engineeringAfter finishing school, Nagarjuna Akkineni continued his studies at Little Flower Junior College in Hyderabad, where he completed his intermediate education. At that stage, he decided to pursue engineering instead of entering films immediately, showing his strong interest in technical education.He initially joined the College of Engineering, Guindy, under Anna University in Chennai to study mechanical engineering. During this period, Nagarjuna completed his first year of engineering studies. The time he spent there provided him with an outstanding learning ground and deepened and strengthened his analytical skills. Engineering degree from the United StatesLater, Nagarjuna moved to the US for his graduate studies. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Michigan.His overseas studies provided him with international exposure and widened his perspective. In fact, even now, people are taken aback to find out that the all-time favorite actor is an engineer by degree. Though films became his vocation eventually, his education cannot be undermined.Nagarjuna Akkineni's personal life and recent film projectsOn a personal note, Nagarjuna Akkineni married Lakshmi Daggubati, the daughter of famous producer D. Ramanaidu, in 1984; however, he divorced his first wife in 1992. He later married actress Amala Akkineni. Nagarjuna Akkineni has two sons, Naga Chaitanya and Akhil Akkineni, who are themselves actors in the film industry.