Telugu superstar Nagarjuna was glad when he signed Ayan Mukerjee’s Brahmastra. In an interview to me some time ago he had said “Yes, I am doing Brahmastra. It is my first Hindi film in a very long time. I can’t remember when was the last time I did a Hindi film. I think it was Mahesh Bhatt’s Zakham.”
I reminded Nag that his last Hindi film was J P Dutta’s LOC in 2003, and Nag’s memory was nudged. “Oh yes, LOC. But that was a brief role, though a lot of fun to do. Zakham was my last full-fledged role in a Hindi film. I still remember Alia Bhatt as a child on Bhatt saab’s set. Now I am working with her in Brahmastra. How time flies!”
Back then just before he left for the shooting of Brahmastra Nag was looking forward to working with the entire Brahmastra team. “Except Amitji(Bachchan) with whom I’ve worked in Khuda Gawah, they are all new to me .I’m working for the first time with Karan Johar, (director) Ayan Mukerjee, Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor.”
The actor who has in the past shone in Hindi films like Angaaray, Criminal and Zakham sounded a bit surprised at being offered a major Hindi film at this stage of his career. “My career in Andhra keeps me busy. I’ve not shown any inclination to do a Hindi film, though I’m open to doing films in any language if the set-up is good.Brahmastra was impressive from the moment it came to me. I said yes immediately and now here I am on my way to shoot for it. I am looking forward to it.”
When I had asked him about his role in Brahmastra Nag had said, “I am not supposed to say much. To be honest, I’m not very sure of the extent of my role. But it’s a pivotal part.And they probably thought of me because the role suits my personality.”
Nag was discernibly proud of his daughter-in-law Samantha Akkineni and very protective of her. “She has fitted into the family without any effort.Actually even before she married my son she had become part of our family. Marriage just meant a shift of residence for her. Otherwise everything is the same.”
For Nag, his son’s happiness is paramount. “What I find very reassuring is that even after marriage my son and Samantha are just as much in love as they were before.You can see that adoring look in their eyes for each other.”
A family film featuring Nag, his two sons and daughter-in-law is definitely on the anvil.“But for that I’ve to find the right script. It has to be the perfect story that does justice to all of us.The search is on,” says Nagarjuna.
Image source: SpotboyEarchives
Image source: SpotboyEarchives