Happy Birthday to Nagarjuna

Nagarjuna celebrates his birthday today i.e. 29th August 2009. He turns 50. He acted in more than 60 films in the last 23 years. Being the son of a legendary Telugu actor, Akkineni Nageswara Rao, acting was virtually in his blood for Nagarjuna. After completing his masters at the University of Louisiana, he returned to India and took up acting in 1986.

Nagarjuna’s debut film Vikram, a remake of the super hit at the box office. In 1989, he was able to grab huge critical and commercial success in Maniratnam’s ‘Geethanjali’.. In 1990, Nagarjuna was back with another hit, this time a trendsetting blockbuster, ‘Shiva’, directed by Ramgopal Varma. This film is regarded as one of the biggest hits of the Telugu film industry. In 1994, he ventured into the comedy genre with another acclaimed movie, ‘Hello Brother. In 1994, Nagarjuna’s ‘Ninne Pelladutha’ won the National Film Award for Family Entertainer. In 1997, ‘Annamayya’, where he portrayed a 15th century Telugu singer/poet, won the National Film Special Jury Award.

Nagarjuna is a person of diverse business interest. He has entered into several business ventures outside films, particularly in the field of real estate. In 1993, he set up the popular lounge bar, Touch, which he sold a few years later. In 2003, he ventured into the business of restaurant. He currently co owns the popular resto bar N, with Bollywood star Suniel Shetty, in Hyderabad. Telugudreams.com wishes Nagarjuna many many happy returns of the day.

Counting the stars

In the last few years, reigning T-Town stars have received a lot of flak from media and industry bigwigs for doing just one film a year and spending the rest of the time endorsing big brands.

In the past, matinee idols NTR, ANR and Krishna always had two films hitting the screens almost every year. Typically the excuse for this ‘one film a year’ strategy has been blamed on the “dearth of good scripts” which has made actors “super selective about the kind of films” they want to do. The stakes on big ticket films are so high, that stars are wary of taking professional risks and choose to stick to the tried and tested formula (read love and comedy themes). All that’s however, now in the past. Tollywood’s Gen Z stars have made a turnaround and are signing films left, right and centre.

Actor Allu Arjun seems to have his hands full with three films. “I want to start off a trend and inspire others,” says Arjun, who is shuttling between studios to wrap up Arya 2, director Gunasekar’s film and Vedam with ease. “All three films are different in terms of treatment and storyline,” he says, suggesting that “doing more films doesn’t mean compromising on variety”.

Arjun’s buddy and cousin Ram Charan Tej has already started his next film with Genelia and director Bhaskar from September. “Dad felt that I deserved a break and wanted me to savour the success (of Magadheera). But my passion for work can’t keep me away from arc lights,” avers Charan.

Actor NTR Junior dispels rumours about a strained back and seems to be doing a fine job of heavy duty action scenes and intricate dance sequences for Adurs. “We want to wrap up the film briskly,” says the young actor who’s also signed up for Brindavanam, a family entertainer. “It’s a good story and an author-backed role,” says producer Dil Raju.

Pawan Kalyan, a serious contender for the numero uno slot, has three films in the pipeline including the ongoing, Puli. “It’s a gripping cop story with message and entertainment blended in equal measure,” says Tamil director SJ Surya. Similarly, producer Ganesh who is basking in the success of Anjaneyulu has signed Pawan for an untitled big budget film. “Pawan Kalyan was impressed with the script and it’s an author-backed role for him,” say the producer.

This year, Ravi Teja seems to top the list with four films. “Work is worship for me,” chips in Ravi about his decision to do more films. Other actors who are shooting for two-films back-to-back are Ram, Naga Chaitanya, Prabhas and Gopichand. “Undoubtedly, it’s a healthy trend,” feels director Sridhar Reddy. “Due to lack of content, several theatres in small centres shut down. I hope with bigger stars agreeing to do more films, all that will change,” he adds.

As the movie platter gets more star-studded, the audience surely will be spoilt for choice!