Nagarjuna on how his vision changed after 'Geethanjali': 'My outlook toward cinema completely transformed'

Nagarjuna Akkineni, one of Telugu cinema’s most charismatic stars, has given audiences several unforgettable performances over the decades, from 'Geethanjali' to 'Manam' and 'Soggade Chinni Nayana'. Now, the actor is set to relive one of his most defining moments. His 1989 classic 'Shiva', directed by Ram Gopal Varma, is all set to hit theatres on November 14 with a stunning 4K restoration and immersive Dolby Atmos sound. But before 'Shiva', Mani Ratnam’s 'Geethanjali' taught him a crucial lesson about cinema and self-expression.

The lessons from 'Geethanjali'

Before 'Shiva', Nagarjuna’s cinematic journey took a turn with Mani Ratnam’s 'Geethanjali'. The actor credits the film for reshaping his approach to acting and filmmaking. Speaking at a recent press meet, he shared, “Before Geethanjali, I wasn’t happy with my costumes or the films I was doing. When Mani Ratnam approached me, my outlook toward cinema completely changed.”




The romantic drama, celebrated for its emotional depth and Mani Ratnam’s visual storytelling, helped Nagarjuna discover a more natural, introspective style of performance that later defined his career.

Nagarjuna on Ram Gopal Varma’s vision and the cult legacy of 'Shiva'

At the same event, Nagarjuna emphasized that the re-release of Shiva isn’t about profit but about celebrating an emotional milestone,“We are not releasing it for profit, but because it’s a special occasion for us,” he said.

The movie holds deep sentimental value for Nagarjuna as it was produced by his brother Venkat Akkineni and brother-in-law Yarlagadda Surendra.

The actor went on to praise Ram Gopal Varma’s commitment to preserving the film’s legacy: “For the last six months, Ramu has been working on the film using the latest technology. When I watched it, I felt like I was watching a new movie.” He revealed that Varma even used AI technology to enhance the sound quality.

When asked what made Shiva a cult phenomenon, Nagarjuna reflected, “RGV came up with his own conventions and strong vision, surprising everyone with how a film should be made. I sometimes wonder why this film became a cult classic, something magical happened.”

Seeing Amala on screen again

The re-release also stirred personal memories for Nagarjuna, who starred opposite Amala -now his wife ,in the film.“ It was completely nostalgic when I watched the re-release and saw Amala on screen. She was out of the country when I watched it, so I sent her a message saying, ‘Couldn’t take my eyes off you,’” he said with a smile.