Akkineni Nagarjuna Rao, known monony mously as Nagarjuna, is a renowned Indian film actor who has made significant contributions to Bollywood and regional Indian cinema. The Bollywood actor with a career spanning over four decades, Nagarjuna has established himself as a versatile actor, film producer presenter, and entrepreneur.
This blog post delves into the life and career of this celebrated actor, highlighting his early life, personal relationships, rise to stardom, career highlights, and some interesting facts.
Early Life and Upbringing
Born on August 29, 1959, in Chennai, Nagarjuna was introduced to the world of cinema at a very young age. He made his on-screen debut as an eight-month-old toddler in his father’s movie, ‘Velugu Needalu . He later featured as a child artiste in ‘Sudigundalu’ in 1967.
After completing his education in Michigan, USA, Nagarjuna returned to India to embark on a career in movies.
Personal Life – Age, Zodiac Sign
| Personal Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Akkineni Nagarjuna Rao |
| Nickname | Nag |
| Alternative Names(s) (also known as) | King, Yuva Samrat |
| Date of Birth | 29 August 1959 |
| Age (as of 2023) | 64 Years |
| Religion | Hindu |
| Zodiac Sign | Virgo |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Birthplace | Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Hometown | Hyderabad, India |
| Current Address | Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, India |
| Education Qualification | M.S. in Automobile Engineering, Bachelors of Engineering |
| Hobbies and Interests | Reading and workout |
| Languages Known | Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, English |
| Social Media Profiles link (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) | Facebook, Instagram, Twitter |
| Wikipedia Profile link | Nagarjuna (actor) |
| IMDb Profile link | Nagarjuna Akkineni |
| Website link | N/A |
Physical Appearance – Height, Weight, Body Measurements
| Physical Stats | Information |
|---|---|
| Body Type | Athletic |
| Body Measurements (Chest – Waist – Hips) | 40 – 34 – 14 inches |
| Height in feet, inches, cm | 6’ 0″, 183 cm |
| Weight in kg, lbs | 74 kg, 163 lbs |
| Chest | 40 inches |
| Waist | 34 inches |
| Biceps | 14 inches |
| Eye Colour | Brown |
| Hair Colour | Black |
| Hairstyle | Short |
| Distinctive Features | Charming smile, dimpled chin |
| Tattoos | N/A |
Family and Relationships – Girlfriend/Wife, Affairs
Nagarjuna is the son of veteran actor and Dadasaheb Phalke Award winner Akkineni Nageswara Rao. He has been married twice and is currently married to Amala Akkineni.
The couple has two sons, Naga Chaitanya and Akhil Akkineni, who are also making their mark in the Telugu film industry.
| Relationships Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse – Wife | Lakshmi Ramanaidu Daggubati (1984–90), Amala Akkineni (1992-present) |
| Father | Nageswara Rao Akkineni (Actor and Producer) |
| Mother | Annapurna Akkineni |
| Children | Naga Chaitanya and Akhil Akkineni (Sons) |
| Siblings | Akkineni Venkat (Brother), Akkineni Satyavathi, Akkineni Naga Susheela and Akkineni Saroja (Sisters) |
| Affairs – Girlfriend(s) | Amala Akkineni (Actress) |
| Significant Relationships | N/A |
Rise to Stardom
Nagarjuna’s debut movie, ‘Vikram’, a Telugu remake of Subhash Ghai’s ‘Hero’, released in 1986, was well received by the masses as well as critics. However, it was with ‘Shiva’ that Nagarjuna really came into his own.
The directorial debut of Ram Gopal Varma, ‘Shiva’ remains a benchmark to this day, making several careers in Tollywood.
Nagarjuna – Debut Film – Vikram (2022)
Nagarjuna – Successful Film – Manmadhudu (2002)
Career, Awards, and Achievements
Nagarjuna has acted in over 100 films in various Indian film industries and has received numerous awards for his performances. He received two National Film Awards for ‘Ninne Pelladatha’ (1996), which he produced, and a Special Mention as an actor for ‘Annamayya’ (1997).
He has also received nine state Nandi Awards, and three Filmfare Awards South.
| Career Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Profession(s) | Actor, Producer and Businessman |
| Debut Film | Vikram (1986) |
| Notable Roles | Siva, Geetanjali, Annamayya, Sri Ramadasu, Shirdi Sai, Manam, etc. |
| Recent Films – New Movies | Wild Dog (2021), The Ghost (2022), Naa Saami Ranga (2024) |
| Upcoming Films | Bangarraju, Brahmastra |
| Popular Television Series | Yuva (2009), Meelo Evaru Koteeswarudu (2014-17), Bigg Boss Telugu (2017-19) |
| Awards and Achievements | Two National Film Awards, nine Nandi Awards, three Filmfare Awards South, one IIFA Award, one SIIMA Award, etc. |
| Endorsements/Brand Collaborations | Kalyan Jewellers, Pankajakasthuri Herbals, Paragon Footwear, etc. |
| Philanthropy/Charity Work | Blue Cross of Hyderabad, Teach AIDS, etc. |
| Professional Associations | Annapurna Studios, Annapurna International School of Film and Media, Mumbai Masters, Mahi Racing Team India, etc. |
| Training and Education | Eastern Michigan University, College of Engineering Guindy, The Little Flower Junior College, Hyderabad Public School |
| Production Company | Annapurna Studios |
| Box Office Success – Hit Movies | Siva, Geetanjali, Hello Brother, Ninne Pelladatha, Manmadhudu, Mass, Don, Manam, Oopiri, etc. |
| Critical Acclaim Movies | Siva, Geetanjali, Annamayya, Sri Ramadasu, Shirdi Sai, Manam, Oopiri, etc. |
Assets and Finances – Net Worth
| Financial Profile | Information |
|---|---|
| Net Worth in Rs. and Dollars | Rs. 800 crore, $ 110 million |
| Per Movie Charges in Rs. and Dollars | Rs. 7 crore, $ 1 million |
| Per Endorsement Charges in Rs. and Dollars | Rs. 1 crore, $ 140,000 |
| Sponsorship Deals | N/A |
| Business Ventures | Annapurna Studios, Annapurna International School of Film and Media, Mumbai Masters, Mahi Racing Team India, etc. |
| Investments | N/A |
| Real Estate Holdings | Jubilee Hills mansion, Annapurna Studios, etc. |
| Luxury Items/Properties Owned | N/A |
| Cars Collection | BMW 7 Series, Audi A7, Range Rover Vogue, etc. |
Favorite Things, Likes and Dislikes
| Favorite Things | Information |
|---|---|
| Favorite Actor | Amitabh Bachchan |
| Favorite Actress | Tabu |
| Favorite Film | Shiva |
| Favorite Music Bands | N/A |
| Favorite Sport | Badminton |
| Favorite Books | Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell |
| Favorite Color | White |
| Favorite Food | Grilled chicken or fish and dosa |
| Things s/he like | Reading and workout |
| Things s/he dislike | N/A |
Top 5 Best Films – Nagarjuna
| Film Name | Year of Release | Character Played |
|---|---|---|
| Geetanjali | 1989 | Prakash |
| Annamayya | 1997 | Annamacharya |
| Siva | 1989 | Siva |
| Ninne Pelladatha | 1996 | N/A |
| Manmadhudu | 2002 | N/A |
Controversies – Nagarjuna
- A woman freelance journalist filed a sexual harassment case against Nagarjuna at the Jubilee Hills police station in Hyderabad.
- Nagarjuna canceled his planned trip to the Maldives following controversial remarks made against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi by some officials in the island nation.
- Rumors circulated that the controversies against Samantha Akkineni’s digital debut show ‘The Family Man Season 2’ had upset Nagarjuna and the Akkineni family.
Interesting Facts – Nagarjuna
- Nagarjuna made his film debut at the age of 8 months.
- He has a degree in engineering from the US.
- Nagarjuna has introduced several new directors to Tollywood.
- He co-founded an NGO for dogs.
- Nagarjuna has worked in nearly 90 films.
This blog post provides a comprehensive overview of Nagarjuna’s life and career, highlighting his significant contributions to Indian cinema. His journey from a child artist to a celebrated actor is truly inspiring, and his dedication to his craft continues to influence upcoming actors in the industry.
