In his four-decade-long cinematic journey, Akkineni Nagarjuna has entertained audiences predominantly as a leading man. With his unique charm and versatility, he has carved a special place for himself in Telugu cinema, proudly carrying forward the legacy of his father, Akkineni Nageswara Rao (ANR).

Even after crossing 60, age remains just a number for Nagarjuna. He continues to exude youthful charisma, earning him the title of the “Modern Manmadhudu.” Few actors can sustain such an aura across generations, and Nagarjuna stands tall among them.

Be it solo films or multistarrers, the King is always game. He even shares screen space with his sons, proving that he’s as much a team player as he is a star. Recently, Nagarjuna took an interesting turn in his career with Kubera, where he portrayed an ED officer — a character with shades of grey. While the role starts off with a tinge of negativity, director Sekhar Kammula rounds it off with a redemptive arc in the climax. Still, Kubera marks the first time a director brought out this darker side of Nagarjuna on screen.

Now, all eyes are on Coolie, where Nagarjuna plays the powerful antagonist Simon. Even though Superstar Rajinikanth headlines the film, it’s the villain Simon who’s creating all the buzz. Reportedly, even Rajini expressed that Simon’s role is so impactful, he wouldn’t have minded playing it himself — a testament to the strength of the character.

Naturally, expectations are sky-high. Fans are eager to see how Nagarjuna embodies Simon and what kind of performance he delivers. Industry whispers suggest that his role will be on par with Rajini’s, and if Coolie turns out to be a blockbuster, it could catapult Nagarjuna into a whole new phase — a “King 2.0,” if you will.

In this changing landscape of Telugu cinema, Nagarjuna is clearly not slowing down. With pan-Indian opportunities expanding, he’s perfectly poised to make bold choices and deliver power-packed performances — both as a hero and a villain. The question now is: What’s cooking in the King’s mind next?