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King Nagarjuna is currently in the spotlight as he promotes his upcoming pan-India release Kuberaa, where he shares the screen with Dhanush and Rashmika Mandanna. As anticipation builds for the film, Nagarjuna’s recent statements about prioritizing impactful roles over traditional lead characters have further drawn attention. According to him, that very approach has sustained his creativity and relevance for decades.

Reflecting on his choices, Nagarjuna remarked, “From the start of my career, I was never insecure about not being the lead. After Shiva and Geethanjali, I did Khuda Gawah (1992) with Amitabh Bachchan. I’ve always been drawn to roles with depth and meaning, not just screen time. Even in Zakhm (1998) with Ajay Devgn, I had a smaller role, but it carried emotional weight. That’s always mattered more to me.”

Asked what reignited his interest in such character-driven roles, Nagarjuna pointed to Brahmastra Part One: Shiva as a turning point. “I was going through a confusing phase in terms of the kind of films I wanted to do. Then came Ayan Mukerji with Brahmastra, and it changed my perspective. Though my role as Anish Shetty was brief, it had power. I still believe it was the most impactful role in the film.”

While Brahmastra received mixed reviews for its writing and crowded ensemble, Nagarjuna’s portrayal of the Nandi Astra wielder stood out and won widespread praise. It was this shift toward layered, meaningful parts that led him to say yes to Kuberaa, directed by one of Telugu cinema’s most thoughtful filmmakers, Shekhar Kammula. “When Shekhar narrated the story, I was immediately drawn to its soul. I saw both heart and purpose in the character.”

But perhaps the most surprising collaboration is Nagarjuna’s upcoming role in Coolie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj and starring Rajinikanth. Recalling the initial approach, Nagarjuna said, “Lokesh told me, ‘There’s a villain’s role. If you’re uncomfortable, we can just have coffee and call it a day.’ I told him, ‘Skip the coffee. Let’s hear the script. If the character is powerful, I’m in.’ I have no problem playing the antagonist if the role is worth it.”

This clear-headed approach to choosing substantial roles over conventional stardom reflects Nagarjuna’s enduring versatility and evolution as an actor. With Kuberaa set to release on June 20 and Coolie aiming for an Independence Day weekend debut, the veteran star seems poised for a creatively fulfilling and dynamic phase ahead.