I must have done something good in my life to get Amala: Nagarjuna
What gives you your greatest sense of achievement?
Manam, the film that I did with my father. I rate that higher than everything else I’ve done. Earlier, I was just working, doing films in a loop, one after another. Manam made me feel worthwhile. My father (the legendaryAkkineni Nageswara Rao) wanted to die with his boots on. He collapsed on the sets while doing a song. We actually had to carry him out of the sets.
How do you look back on your 20-year journey in the film industry?
In some ways, with satisfaction. But I am still hungry for great roles. I wish Rajamouli had asked me to do a role in Baahubali. I always wanted to do a lavish costume drama or a period film. I’ve never done one of those. I crave to do a film about lost kingdoms, kings in exiles and ethereal princesses. Even in Hollywood, I love costume dramas like Troy and 300. I see period films like these whenever I am bored. And I am very unhappy that when we made our own Hollywood-styled spectacle I was not in it. Rajamouli should’ve cast me.
How do you feel about both your sons being actors? Do you guide them?
When I became an actor, my father guided me only initially. I’d go to him for advice once in while when I was in a dilemma. I’ve adopted the same approach for my two sons, Naga Chaitanya and Akhil. I advise them whenever they seek my advice, or when I see them going wrong. That’s it. No more than that.
Akhil is grounded, gentle and down-to-earth…
It’s all because of his mother. She’s brought him up so well. Akhil is level-headed and focused. He has long heart-to-heart conversations on life with his mother. My elder son Naga Chaitanya is like his mother, even more focused and down to earth than his brother. I keep asking him why he never gets angry. He smiles through everything. I am blessed to have Amala as my soulmate. I must have done something good in my life to get her.
Do you see a reflection of yourself in the boys?
Yes, in some things. But in other aspects I don’t want them to be like me. I just want them to imbibe the good things from my life and ignore the rest.
What is it that your family eats to look so fit and youthful?
(Laughs) It is normal ghar ka khana. Amala and I are just lucky to be healthy. But we as a family definitely look after ourselves to make sure we remain fit. I’ve always been very health conscious.
Why did you distance yourself from Hindi cinema after successes like Shiva, Khuda Gawah and Zakham?
I didn’t distance myself from Hindi cinema. It’s just that I was content in Telugu cinema. By God’s grace, my career graph has always showed an upswing. I was content with what I had in Andhra. Fans in Andhra love my father, me and my sons unconditionally. But I am also very proud of my Hindi films.
Your milestones in Telugu cinema?
Shiva, Ninne Pelladata, Geetanjali, Annamaya…
Your forthcoming Telugu films?
I am doing a Tamil-Telugu version of the French hit Intouchables with Suriya’s brother Karthi. I play a guy on a wheelchair. It’s a beautiful story. Then I am doing another film where I play father and son. The father is a ghost (laughs). I am also doing the third season of the Telugu Kaun Banega Crorepati. I am really enjoying that. Meeting so many kinds of people has made a wiser man.
Your message to your fans?
Love my sons as much as you love me and my father.
