HYDERABAD: A fortnight since his latest film Manam released, actor Nagarjuna still feels the same mixed rush of happy sadness that comes with such a project – three generations of his family in their only film together, and a living memory and touching farewell to their patriarch, Akkineni Nageswara Rao.
“There are mixed feelings about the film’s success. I am of course very happy at the response, but I really wish I could share this with my father,” says an audibly emotional Nagarjuna.
Speaking to City Express exclusively, the 54-year-old tells us that the journey through the film was an experience in itself, and one that perhaps helped prepare them for the present.
“Honestly, I feel it was a miracle that my father was able to finish his scenes; he was in the last stages of his illness where even getting off the bed was a task. He channelised his energy and got the most important scenes done. Even as he left us, he taught us so much.”
While last year turned out to be quite a depressing year – his films Greeku Veerudu and Bhai didn’t do well, plus his father’s illness was diagnosed – 2014 started off better, albeit his father’s passing.
His 11th production Uyyala Jumpala was a small budget film that very well, and this was followed by the success of Manam.
“I was very excited about Uyyala Jumpala because I really liked the script. And the enthusiasm of director and the crew was really engaging. I backed it all the way for that, not just because I was producing it.”
Pointing out that he’s at a stage in his life where he needs to think beyond movies, Nagarjuna feels it’s the right time to shift gears. “I’ve been looking at doing something on television for two years now. And finally Meelo Evaru Koteeswarudu, the Telugu version of Kaun Banega Crorepati came along,” shares the actor whose debut Vikram in 1986 set him up for stardom.
Quite excited about the programme, we ask him if he shared notes with Amitabh Bachchan who hosts the Hindi version.
“Of course I spoke to him about it. He told me that the experience would change me. He didn’t elaborate on it, but what I think he meant was that I would get to meet so many people from different walks of lives, and those experiences would really change my perspective.”
Nagarjuna has in fact already recorded five episodes for the show which is set to air on Maa TV later this month. So, has there been a change? “What’s best about this show is that the emotions are real, as much as these people. So many stories and backgrounds, I now feel that my problems are really small in comparison to theirs.”
While Nag will remain busy with the shooting of the show for another month or so, he has a movie with Junior NTR coming up. “My film with Mani Ratnam didn’t work out, but the scripting is going on for the film with Jr NTR. If things go well, we’ll probably start shooting by September,” he says.
As for future telly plans, he says in its current state, he isn’t interested in doing any serials yet. “The production scale is small, as well as the budgets. When that changes, I would definitely be interested. TV is the next big thing and that change is happening slowly. If you look west, movie stars are signing up for TV series, and the numbers are just bigger.”
For this year, Nagarjuna plans on keeping himself busy, with perhaps a short break in between. With his sons in the industry as well, one already a semi-established actor and the other looking at making a foray, he sure does have his hands full.