I am In The Second Half Of My Career: Akkineni Nagarjuna

Nag, 66 and still going strong? The ladies are swooning over your evil act in Coolie?

Ha ha, I am lucky to be still working as a leading man at a time when my two sons are also actors in ine the same industry . I wouldn’t say I am at the fag-end of my career. But in the second-half of my career I want to make sure every move and movie makes me happy as an artiste.At the same time I want my audiences’ approval for what I do.

You are no longer interested in doing the conventional romantic parts?

I leave that to my sons.Enough of those conventional romantic roles for me. I can’t be running around trees with my co-stars anymore. I have two sons who are now leading men in Telugu cinema working with the same heroines that I am working with.

Do Chaitanya and Akhil seek your advice?

I am guiding them.But I don’t thrust my opinion on them. They are free to do what they like. I can only advise them. I never wanted them to be like me. I just want them to imbibe the good things from my life and ignore the rest.

You have been married to the lovely Amala for 33 years?

We are as much in love now as we were thirtythree years ago/I suppose it is the Hyderabad climate that make us so romantic. Look at Mahesh Babu and Namrata, still so much in love. I am blessed to have her as my soul mate. I must have done something good in my life to have her.

How do you manage to change yourself with the times?

Reinvention is the key to staying relevant. Run-of-the-mill-films won’t work.A new phase has started in Telugu cinema.I think it’s a very exciting time to be an actor.I am looking at quite a few scripts. I want to keep trying something new all the time. It is the only way to grow.I’ve to be happy with the work I am doing.And to be happy the role has to be challenging. And for the role to be challenging it has to be something I haven’t done before.

Why are you seen so little in Hindi films?

My career in Andhra keeps me busy. I’ve not shown any inclination to do a Hindi film, though I’m open to doing films in any language if the set-up is good.I did Karan Johar’s Brahmastra .It was impressive from the moment it came to me. I said yes immediately. I didn’t distance myself from Hindi cinema. It’s just that I am so content in Telugu cinema. By God’s grace, my career graph always showed an upswing. I am very content with what I have in Andhra. Fans in Andhra love my father, me and my sons unconditionally.

Any unfulfilled dreams?

I still hunger 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 these. I crave to do a film about lost kingdoms, kings in exiles and ethereal princesses. Even in Holywood 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 in it . Rajamouli should’ve cast me.