Happy Birthday Nagarjuna: From Bollywood journey to love story with Amala, riveting facts of 'Manmadhudu'

Introduced to the showbiz arena in 1986 as the son of legendary actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao (ANR), Nagarjuna didn’t take much time to join the bandwagon of Telugu heroes who strike the perfect balance between commercial entertainers and content-driven films. In an illustrious film career spanning for over three decades, the handsome hunk has reinvented himself according to changing times and kept his scintillating stardom intact. After kicking off his journey with a string of actioners, he gradually became a force to reckon with courtesy his solid acting chops, good looks, well-built physique, distinctive selection of roles and convincing performances on the silver screen.

Time and again, Nagarjuna proved that ‘age is just a number’ by consistently maintaining a well-toned body with no signs of ageing whatsoever. The superstar of ‘Shiva’ is celebrating his 61st birthday on Saturday and check out some of his riveting facts from Bollywood journey to second marriage with Amala Akkineni.

In 1990, Nagarjuna made his Bollywood debut with the remake of ‘Shiva’ and nailed the role of an angst-ridden collegian who later turns into a don. Thereafter, he was pitted opposite Amitabh Bachchan in the 1992 blockbuster Khuda Gawah and his successful road in Hindi continued with films like Criminal, Zakhm and the critically acclaimed Drohi. On leaving the opportunity to settle in Bollywood, Nag told Times Of India “After the success of Shiva, I realised I had to make the choice. But let’s say I chose life over career. I was already a superstar here. Maybe I might have become a superstar in Bollywood, but what next? Hollywood? There is no end to ambition. I decided I was quite content in Hyderabad and I have never regretted that decision.”

If there is one Telugu actor who has successfully portrayed devotional roles after the evergreen duo of NTR and ANR, it has to be Nagarjuna Akkineni. At the time when devotional flicks and hagiographies are considered to be unsellable at the box-office, the ‘Ninne Pelladatha’ actor mesmerised the Telugu moviegoers with his impeccable performance as 15th-century composer Annamacharya in the 1997 blockbuster ‘Annamayya’. He won the Nandi, Filmfare Award and the National Film Award for this film. Over the years, Nag went on to act in several devotional films like ‘Sri Ramadasu’, ‘Shirdi Sai’ and ‘Om Namo Venkatesaya’.

Even before he was launched as a hero, Nagarjuna married Lakshmi Daggubati, sister of senior actor Venkatesh in 1984. Reportedly, it was Akkineni Nageswara Rao who arranged the wedding as he was good friends with Lakshmi’s father Daggubati Ramanaidu. After two years, the couple was blessed with a son Naga Chaitanya. Four years later, Nagarjuna and Lakshmi’s relationship hit a rough patch and eventually, the couple got divorced in 1990. However, both the individuals maintain a friendly rapport till today.

After sharing the screen in five films, Amala and Nagarjuna became thick friends and developed a close rapport. During one of their trips to the United States, the Akkineni scion proposed to his sweetheart out of the blue and eventually, they tied the knot on June 1992. After a couple of years into marriage, the adorable duo was blessed with a son, Akhil Akkineni. Sharing her cute little love story, Amala said “Well like movies, love and marriage also happened. Nag surprised me out of the blue and asked me to marry him. When Nag proposed to me, I felt like I was going into a long holiday and it lasted for over 20 years. It’s just been a beautiful journey.”

Time and again, Nagarjuna proved that ‘age is just a number’ by constantly maintaining a well-toned body with no signs of ageing whatsoever. He credits regular exercise, positive mindset and the pursuit of healthy day-to-day habits as his fitness mantra. During an old interview, the ‘Manmadhudu’ actor revealed that he delegates 25 per cent attention to diet and 25 per cent to workout, but the rest of the work is done by healthy eating habits. The self-confessed foodie’s passion for food even made him open a couple of restaurants in Hyderabad.

Last seen in Manmadhudu 2, Nagarjuna is presently starring in a new-age action thriller directed by debutante Ashishor Solomon. Titled as ‘Wild Dog’, the film is a real-life inspired drama which showcases Nag as an NIA officer. Besides this project, the 60-year-old is playing a crucial role in Ayan Mukerji's Bollywood film Brahmastra. Starring Amitabh Bachchan, Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt in lead roles, the fantasy action-adventure film will reportedly showcase Nag in the role of an archaeologist. He has also signed a slick action thriller with Praveen Sattaru of ‘PSV Garuda Vega’ fame.