Akkineni Nagarjuna completes 40 years as a leading actor

May 23 remains a landmark date in Akkineni Nagarjuna’s cinematic journey. On this day, the actor completed 40 years as a lead hero in Telugu cinema. Nagarjuna made his debut as a leading man with the 1986 romantic action drama “Vikram,” directed by V. Madhusudhana Rao and produced under the Annapurna Studios banner.

Interestingly, the same date became even more memorable years later. On May 23, 2014, Nagarjuna delivered one of the most emotional and celebrated films of his career with “Manam,” which also marked the final screen appearance of his father, legendary actor ANR. The film featured three generations of the Akkineni family, including Naga Chaitanya, and went on to become a classic.

Marking the occasion, Nagarjuna shared an emotional note reflecting on the significance of May 23 in his life and career.

Over the past four decades, Nagarjuna has continuously reinvented himself to stay relevant across generations. From redefining intense storytelling with “Siva” and romance with “Geethanjali” to delivering memorable entertainers like “Hello Brother,” “Manmadhudu,” “Annamayya,” and “Bangarraju,” he built a unique legacy as both a star and trendsetter.

The actor is currently gearing up for his landmark 100th film (#King100).

40 years of Nagarjuna: A look at his best films

As he completes 40 years as a lead actor, here’s a look at some of the best and most influential films in his career.

Siva (1989) – The film that changed Telugu cinema’s visual style and established Nagarjuna as a powerful performer. It was directed by Ram Gopal Varma.

Geethanjali (1989) – Mani Ratnam’s romantic classic remains one of Nagarjuna’s most loved films.

Hello Brother (1994) – A blockbuster comedy entertainer showcasing Nagarjuna in a dual role.

Criminal (1995) – Stylish thriller directed by Mahesh Bhatt with memorable music by M.M. Keeravani.

Ninne Pelladatha (1996) – A trendsetting family romance that became a cult favorite among family audiences.

Annamayya (1997) – One of the defining performances of his career portraying saint Annamacharya.

Manmadhudu (2002) – Nagarjuna’s iconic romantic-comedy role that earned him the title King of Romance.

Santosham (2002) – Emotional family entertainer that connected strongly with audiences.

Mass (2004) – Stylish mass-action entertainer that showcased his versatility.

Sri Ramadasu (2006) – Another acclaimed devotional role that won critical appreciation.

King (2008) – A complete commercial entertainer blending action, comedy, and style.

Manam (2014) – An emotional multi-generational drama featuring ANR, Nagarjuna, and Naga Chaitanya together.

Soggade Chinni Nayana (2016) – A blockbuster family entertainer where Nagarjuna’s Bangarraju character became hugely popular.

Oopiri (2016) – Critically acclaimed emotional drama directed by Vamshi Paidipally.

Nagarjuna’s biggest strength has always been his ability to evolve with changing times while maintaining his unique charm and screen presence. Even after 40 years, he continues to remain relevant.