Akhil Akkineni on Ayyappa Deeksha

The Akkineni family is not known to believe in ‘deekshas’, and so it’s surprising to see Nagarjuna’s younger son Akhil dressed in the customary black.

“He is doing it in a completely devotional way and follows the strict diet too,” says a source close to Akhil.

Akkineni Nageshwara Rao believed in a higher power, but was not known to perform pujas or observe other religious rituals. The rest of the family followed his lead till now.

“The young actor (Akhil) has changed a lot during this lockdown and has decided to take up this deeksha following the advice of friends,” says the source.