Akkineni Nagarjuna is one of the biggest stars of Telugu cinema and among the few Indian actors whose career has stayed relevant across four decades. Since his lead debut in 1986, he has worked in Telugu, Hindi and Tamil films, moving between romantic hits, action dramas, devotional epics and experimental cinema, and is now set to complete his 100th film, King100, in December 2026.
The son of legendary actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao (ANR), Nagarjuna is also a producer, television host and entrepreneur. He runs Annapurna Studios, hosted Bigg Boss Telugu for several seasons and has invested in sports franchises, making him one of the most influential figures in the Telugu film industry.
Nagarjuna Quick Facts
| Full Name | Akkineni Nagarjuna |
| Popular Names | King Nagarjuna, Nag |
| Profession | Actor, Film Producer, Television Host, Entrepreneur |
| Date of Birth | 29 August 1959 |
| Age | 67 years (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Madras (now Chennai), Tamil Nadu, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Years Active | 1986–present (lead roles) |
| Lead Debut | Vikram (1986) |
| Breakthrough | Shiva (1989) and Geethanjali (1989) |
| Total Movies | 100 (including King100) |
| Known For | Shiva, Geethanjali, Ninne Pelladata, Annamayya, Manmadhudu, Manam, Soggade Chinni Nayana |
| Parents | Father: Akkineni Nageswara Rao (actor); Mother: Annapurna |
| Spouse | Amala Akkineni (m. 1992); previously married to Lakshmi Daggubati (1984–1990) |
| Children | Naga Chaitanya, Akhil Akkineni |
| Education | B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Eastern Michigan University, USA |
Nagarjuna Career in Numbers
Nagarjuna’s career is defined by longevity. Here is a quick snapshot of his journey in numbers.
| Milestone | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Movies | 100 films, with King100 as his milestone 100th |
| Career Span | 1986–present (40 years as a lead actor) |
| National Film Awards | 2 |
| Nandi Awards | 10 |
| Filmfare Awards South | 3 |
| Languages | Telugu, Hindi, Tamil |
| TV Hosting | Meelo Evaru Koteeswarudu, Bigg Boss Telugu |
| Production House | Annapurna Studios |
Early Life and Family
Nagarjuna was born on 29 August 1959 in Madras (now Chennai) to Akkineni Nageswara Rao, one of the founding pillars of Telugu cinema, and Annapurna. He appeared briefly as an infant in the 1961 film Velugu Needalu, but acting was not his early career plan.
He studied at Hyderabad Public School and Little Flower Junior College in Hyderabad, briefly attended the College of Engineering, Guindy, and then moved to the United States, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Eastern Michigan University.
Nagarjuna Career Journey
Debut and Rise (1986–1989)
Nagarjuna made his debut as a lead actor with Vikram (1986), a remake of the Hindi film Hero. After a few years of mixed results, 1989 changed everything. Mani Ratnam’s Geethanjali, a tender love story, and Ram Gopal Varma’s Shiva, a raw campus action drama, both became landmark films. Shiva in particular is still credited with changing the style of Telugu action cinema.
Stardom Across Languages (1990s)
In the 1990s Nagarjuna became one of Telugu cinema’s biggest stars with films like Hello Brother, Criminal and Ninne Pelladata, which he also produced and which won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu. He also worked in Hindi cinema in Shiva, Khuda Gawah and Zakhm. In 1997 he played the saint-poet Annamacharya in Annamayya, a role that earned him wide acclaim and several awards.
Romantic Hero and Devotional Roles (2000s)
The 2000s brought popular family entertainers and romantic comedies such as Santosham and Manmadhudu, along with action films like Mass and King. He returned to devotional cinema with Sri Ramadasu (2006), winning the Nandi Award for Best Actor.
Reinvention and the 100th Film (2014–Present)
Manam (2014), featuring three generations of the Akkineni family including ANR in his final film, became a celebrated classic. Soggade Chinni Nayana and Oopiri followed in 2016. He played Anish Shetty in Brahmastra: Part One – Shiva (2022), returned to form with Naa Saami Ranga (2024), and took on new roles in Kuberaa and Rajinikanth’s Coolie in 2025. His 100th film, King100, directed by R. A. Karthik and produced by Annapurna Studios, is scheduled for release on 24 December 2026.
Nagarjuna Movies: Complete Filmography
Below are the major films from Nagarjuna’s career across Telugu, Hindi and Tamil cinema, including his upcoming 100th film.
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Vikram | Vikram | Lead debut |
| 1987 | Majnu | Rajesh | Romantic drama |
| 1989 | Geethanjali | Prakash | Directed by Mani Ratnam; National Film Award for Best Popular Film |
| 1989 | Shiva | Shiva | Directed by Ram Gopal Varma; trendsetting action film |
| 1990 | Shiva | Shiva | Hindi version; Bollywood debut |
| 1992 | Khuda Gawah | Inspector Raja Mirza | Hindi; with Amitabh Bachchan |
| 1994 | Hello Brother | Dual role | Comedy blockbuster |
| 1996 | Ninne Pelladata | Seenu | Also producer; National Film Award for Best Telugu Film |
| 1997 | Annamayya | Annamacharya | Devotional epic; Nandi and Filmfare awards |
| 1998 | Zakhm | Raman Desai | Hindi; directed by Mahesh Bhatt |
| 2002 | Santosham | Karthik | Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu |
| 2002 | Manmadhudu | Abhiram | Romantic comedy cult favourite |
| 2006 | Sri Ramadasu | Kancharla Gopanna (Ramadasu) | Nandi Award for Best Actor |
| 2014 | Manam | Nageswara Rao / Seetharamudu | Three generations of the Akkineni family |
| 2016 | Soggade Chinni Nayana | Bangarraju / Ramu | Dual role; Sankranti blockbuster |
| 2016 | Oopiri | Vikramaditya | Telugu-Tamil bilingual; remake of The Intouchables |
| 2021 | Wild Dog | ACP Vijay Varma | Action thriller |
| 2022 | Bangarraju | Bangarraju | Sequel to Soggade Chinni Nayana |
| 2022 | Brahmastra: Part One – Shiva | Anish Shetty | Hindi fantasy epic |
| 2022 | The Ghost | Vikram | Action thriller |
| 2024 | Naa Saami Ranga | Kishtayya | Sankranti release |
| 2025 | Kuberaa | Deepak | With Dhanush; directed by Sekhar Kammula |
| 2025 | Coolie | Simon | Tamil; with Rajinikanth, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj |
| 2026 | King100 | TBA | 100th film; releasing 24 December 2026 |
Nagarjuna Web Series and Television
| Year | Title | Role/Format | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–2015 | Meelo Evaru Koteeswarudu | Host | Telugu version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? (seasons 1–2) |
| 2019–present | Bigg Boss Telugu | Host | Hosted multiple seasons from season 3 onwards |
| 2022 | Bigg Boss Non-Stop | Host | Digital edition, season 1 |
Nagarjuna Awards and Achievements
| Year | Award | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu | As producer of Ninne Pelladata |
| 1997 | National Film Award – Special Mention | For Annamayya |
| 1997 | Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu | For Annamayya |
| 2002 | Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu | For Santosham |
| 2006 | Nandi Award for Best Actor | For Sri Ramadasu |
| Career | 10 Nandi Awards | Across acting and production categories |
| Career | 3 Filmfare Awards South | Best Actor wins and honours |
Nagarjuna Personal Life
Nagarjuna first married Lakshmi Daggubati, daughter of producer D. Ramanaidu, in 1984. Their son Naga Chaitanya was born in 1986, and the couple divorced in 1990. In June 1992 he married actress Amala, his co-star in films like Shiva, and their son Akhil Akkineni was born in 1994. Both sons are actors.
Amala is known for her work in animal welfare through the Blue Cross of Hyderabad. The family is part of the larger Akkineni–Daggubati film family, which includes actors Venkatesh, Rana Daggubati, Sumanth and Sushanth.
Nagarjuna Net Worth
Nagarjuna’s wealth comes from acting fees, film production through Annapurna Studios, television hosting, brand endorsements and a wide range of business investments. He has co-owned sports teams such as Kerala Blasters FC and Mahi Racing Team India, and his N3 Realty business runs the N Convention centre and N Grill restaurant in Hyderabad.
Estimated Net Worth: Approximately ₹3,000 crore.
Net worth figures are estimates based on publicly reported information, including entertainment industry reports and media estimates. These are not audited financial statements and may not account for liabilities, family holdings or changes in asset values.
Lesser-Known Facts About Nagarjuna
- He holds an engineering degree from Eastern Michigan University in the United States.
- His first screen appearance was as an infant in Velugu Needalu (1961), 25 years before his lead debut.
- Manam (2014) was the last film of his father ANR and featured three generations of the family on screen.
- Annapurna Studios, which he runs, is named after his mother.
- He is president of the Annapurna College of Film and Media in Hyderabad.
- Fans call him ‘King’ after his 2008 film of the same name, and his 100th film is titled King100.
Legacy and Impact
Nagarjuna’s biggest contribution has been his willingness to experiment. From the gritty realism of Shiva to the devotion of Annamayya and the warmth of Manam, he has repeatedly backed new directors and fresh ideas while carrying forward the legacy of his father. Through Annapurna Studios, he continues to shape Telugu cinema off screen as well.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nagarjuna
How old is Nagarjuna?
Nagarjuna was born on 29 August 1959, making him 67 years old as of 2026.
What is Nagarjuna’s 100th film?
His 100th film is King100, directed by R. A. Karthik and scheduled for release on 24 December 2026.
Who are Nagarjuna’s sons?
Nagarjuna has two sons, actors Naga Chaitanya and Akhil Akkineni.
What awards has Nagarjuna won?
He has won two National Film Awards, ten Nandi Awards and three Filmfare Awards South.
What is Nagarjuna’s net worth?
His net worth is estimated at approximately ₹3,000 crore, based on publicly reported information.
Final Summary
From Vikram in 1986 to his 100th film King100 in 2026, Akkineni Nagarjuna has stayed at the top of Telugu cinema for four decades. Actor, producer, host and entrepreneur, he remains one of the most recognisable and versatile stars in Indian cinema.