Nagarjuna Akkineni is the most prolific star of Telugu cinema with continuous blockbusters since 2001. He 
attempted all kinds of genres and proved himself to be very successful. He was shooting for a song in Rama Naidu studios, hero Nagarjuna looks awesome and handsome than ever with his new long hair.
The hero who is synonymous with style and grace in Telugucinema is now entering into 20th year as hero. On 1986 May 23, he was launched into Telugucinema field as a hero with Vikram. He has come long way since then churning blockbusters like
Shiva, Nuvvostavani and classic stories like Manirathnam directed Geetanjali and KRR Annamayya,
As a hero he reached to the pinnacles long back, now he is also revived his father's prestigious banner Annapoorna Studios and becoming one of the most successful producers in Tollywood. If there were an industry of cool, Nag would surely be the CEO, wrote a newspaper about him recently.
He spoke at length about his career spanning two decades and his personal life. Excerpts from a long chitchat with the 'style' Icon.
When you look back your 20 years career, how do you feel?
I feel I am blessed. The unconditional love by the fans and the fame, money and everything that I have now is because of this field. I don't want to be anywhere else than this acting profession. It is an honest one.
I always wonder what I have done to deserve all this love? Being Akkineni's son helped me initially but it is talent that in the end that helped me to stand here. No one can achieve anything here without talent, luck may play a role but its role is minuscule. In the 20 years of my career I had seen ups and downs, but I have enjoyed every moment.
Most importantly, you never feel you are lonely here, that feeling that all the fans are there for you is ecstatic. when scribes met him for an interview. Here are the excerpts -
How you plan to celebrate this birthday?
My birthdays are very simple. I like to spend that day with the people who I care about and who care about me. The first thing in morning I go and visit my parents. Then I spend time with my fans who come from all over the state. Rest of the day I spend with my friends and be in my home. This birthday I would be working.
Which birthday did you remember the most?
I think it was five to six years ago. I was traveling from Chennai to Hyderabad on a flight. Two flights started from Chennai at the same time. The first flight crashed and people died. It was horrible thing. I was on the second flight and I did not know when this happened as I was on air. When I came home, my wife and my friends were looking at me like they were looking at a ghost. They were all in tears and were hugging me. That was one day I would not forget.
You worked with many heroines. Who do you think is the perfect pair on screen for you? You should not be diplomatic about it!
Sonali and myself in Manmadhudu was a very good pair. I liked the way the characters were designed. Then again Sonali was not my favorite heroine. But I will be diplomatic there and I won’t say anything. (giggles)
What was the Role you got on Gaganam ?
It was a very elevating news for me. I was very fortunate to be able to do that film. Not because somebody else can’t. It is because that it came to me.
Are you happy the way it was received?
Yes, of course.
Do you think it is necessary to make a film run for 100 days though it is successful?
Yes. If it deserves. I won’t believe in running it in empty theaters. Sri Ramadasu ran for 100 days on it’s pure merit in lot of centers.
What is your all time favorite movie?
I really can't say.
How many times do you watch your films?
It was a rare occasion when I watch any of my films for the second time. For Sri Ramadasu I watched the film once and then I watched climax for around 30 times. That is because we previewed Sri Ramadasu to VIPs many times and I had to wait for them when film ends.
Which is the song you always hum?
I hum Tauba Tauba from Stalin. Whenever I turn on the radio, I keep listening to gala gala pare selayerula from 'Pokiri'. It somewhere reminds me of Enrique’s ’I love to see you cry’.
Which character among your films is really close to Nagarjuna?
It is a difficult question. I would say Manmadhudu because I love humor and jokes. I am always laughing and cracking jokes when I am with my friends.
What is the best compliment you received?
Men calling that I look like Manmadhudu. I like it when women compliment me. It feels good.
What is Nagarjuna in your own words?
It is a very dicey question. I try to be simple and happy. Content is what I would like to be.
What is your way of life?
It is a very difficult question. I try to be little positive. I take everyday as it comes. Whenever I design something for my life, they became flops. Be it movies or life!
What is the most common SMS you get on your cell phone?
‘This is my phone number. Message me.’ That’s the most common SMS. SMS has become such a easy way of sending out your feelings and opinions without being scared. I see lot of people saying lot of thinks they would not say face to face.
Tell us about your association with MAA TV?
It is not official yet. So I would not want to talk about it.
You are touted as one of the smart investors in Telugu film circles?
I never planned anything. If I buy some land it was for myself. Not because I wanted to do business out of it. Somewhere stars are working for me.
Which film would you like to remake if you had a choice?
None.
What is the reason for not doing Shiva 2006?
There is no resemblance to Shiva and Shiva 2006. Shiva was college student and Shiva 2006 is a cop. Ram Gopal Varma used the emotions of Shiva. He has all rights to do it since it is his baby. After Shiva many directors tried making films like Shiva. Ramu is recreating his own film.
You seem to be looking hotter and younger with each year passing. What is your secret?
May be I am like wine. (giggles). I am very conscious about the way I look. It pays off. I take life as it comes, but I don’t take health like that. Health is something I work very hard on it. May be that is because I am very happy with the way I am. If you are happy, it even shows on your skin.
Bollywood magazines seem to be writing some gossip on you?
That is because I am popular. It is good. For everybody it is a survival problem. Journalists should sensationalize a story to sell their copies.
Do you think Nagarjuna has come to a stage of being complete actor with so much of wide verities of films in your kitty?
Actor grows day by day and he gets better with every character.
With multiplexes coming in AP, do you accept small budget films with unique story value from new directors?
Right now we have only 2 multiplexes. Let there be another 50 multiplexes in the state. Then I will think about it.
Do you have any plans to building a multiplex?
That is a different game altogether. Multiplex is all about hospitality.
Do you have any plans of directing films?
No. You need to have an aptitude to direct a film. Direction is all about dealing with 24 crafts. If I do something I have to do it with my heart. I am not interested in certain departments. A director needs to know about people management and it does not gel well with me.
When an important decision to be made about a scene or shot in a film. Is it your call or director’s call?
It is a team work. All my hits happened because we worked together as a team.
Is there any significant difference when you did not like the song, but was put into the film?
There is one song in Chandralekha which I insisted that it should not be there. But Krishna Vamsi convinced me that it should be there. We shot that song and kept in the film. But that song was removed by exhibitors with in week after the release. It was a hot song with Ramya Krishna. I resisted saying that it disturbs the mood of the film. But Krishna Vamsi believed that masses need it.
Did you like that film?
Yes I liked Chandralekha. It is one of the films I liked, but did not do well at box office.
Do your films cater to your own taste or people’s taste?
I would like to have a balance. But in general I would do films that cater to the tastes of people. If I had to do films that cater to my personal taste, I would have to do a low budget film when we have 50 multiplexes in AP. (giggles)
How different are you compared to the on-screen Heroe's ?
On the screen, I would be exactly the way I am in real life. I drive people to work hard. I don’t tolerate mistakes. You may do mistakes once. But not the second time. But at the same time, I take a very good care of them.
What is your opinion about hike of ticket fares?
It is good that producer and the government are making money over hiked ticket prices instead of black marketer. Film is commodity which depends on supply demand chain. This system has been in place in other states like Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra etc for a long time. Andhra Pradesh government has recently given permission.
