Nagarjuna’s second-born, Akhil is in a happy state of mind now though his debut film, the eponymous fiasco titled Akhil didn’t work out and his marriage plans were suddenly aborted last year. Akhil is now looking forward to the release of his second film, Hello.
Nagarjuna
Speaking from the shoot of an additional song for the film in Hyderabad, Akhil says, “No, it’s not my introductory song. It’s more a montage of images. My director Vikram Kumar and I decided at the last minute that this song needed to be shot. So here we are.” Akhil, whose elder brother Naga Chaitanya got married last month, is very excited about Hello.
“This feels like a new beginning for me. Not that I have any regrets about my first film. It was a learning experience and I’m grateful for the opportunity. But I think somewhere we went wrong with the planning and execution of my debut,” he says.
This time, Akhil says he has covered all the bases, thanks to his dad Nagarjuna. “My Dad has been on board for the entire project. He has produced Hello and made sure that everything is just right this time. In hindsight, I feel I should have started my career with a home production. When I have the greatest guide and mentor at home, why not avail his wisdom?” asks Akhil, who can’t stop gushing about his father.
“From childhood, both my brother and I have had only one hero, and that’s our dad. We look up to him for guidance in both personal and professional matters. We want to conduct ourselves with the same dignity, grace, restraint and kindness that my father has become known for over the years. Unfortunately, I have a temper. I tend to flare up once in a while. I am trying to control that,” he admits candidly.
About his father’s advice to go easy with his career choices, Akhil says, “I don’t intend to do too many films. I’ve decided to take it easy and slow. After all, I am only 24 and I have all the time in the world. It took me almost three years to do my second film as I wanted it to be the right vehicle for me. And Hello felt right from the start. It’s a very happy film about the search for love, because my director Vikram is a very happy person. Audiences will come out of the film with a smile on their faces.”
Interestingly, Akhil’s Hello releases on the same day as Salman Khan’s Tiger Zinda Hai. Laughs the young affable actor, “My debut film released the same day as Salman bhai’s Prem Ratan Dhan Payo. Now my second film is coming with his Tiger Zinda Hai. I’ve spoken to him about it. There is no clash as such. He is so much bigger. I am just starting out. I just hope audiences will want to see both our films.”
And what about marriage plans? “None at all. I am not getting married for a very long time. My entire focus is on my career. Please pray for Hello to work. It’s my first major step towards making my parents proud by building a career like my father’s,” says the young actor.
