As the countdown to 2026 began, many revisited memories from 2025 and reflected on the year gone by. For actor Nagarjuna, the year stood out as a particularly fulfilling one. Describing 2025 as “very, very satisfying,” the veteran star said it brought him contentment on both personal and professional fronts.

Nagarjuna on family, films, and finding balance in 2025: “I couldn’t have hoped for more”

In a conversation with Times of India, Nagarjuna shared that he could not have hoped for more from the year. “On both the personal and professional front, I couldn’t have hoped for more. My younger son, Akhil, got married to a lovely girl, and he is very happy with her. My elder son Chaitanya got married on December 24, and they have just completed one year of happily married life,” he said. Speaking about the relief of seeing his sons settled, the National Award–winning actor added, “Everyone has to go through their share of upheavals. I am glad my sons have found their happiness.”

Touching upon the professional side of things, he also mentioned Akhil’s upcoming work, saying, “Akhil has a release coming up in 2026. It is shaping up well. I hope it works.”

A Look Back at Nagarjuna’s Professional Journey in 2025

During the discussion, Nagarjuna reflected on how 2025 shaped his career. He spoke about Kubera, which marked his first collaboration with Dhanush. Calling the experience rewarding, he said, “Firstly, there was Kubera, where I got to work with Dhanush for the first time. It was a joy to work with him. We are both the kind of actors who don’t feel threatened by anyone’s presence.”

Later in the year, he featured in Coolie, where he again shared screen space with a Tamil cinema legend for the first time. “Later during the year came Coolie where again, I got to work with a Tamilian icon for the first time, this time it was the great Rajinikanth,” he said.

Why Coolie Was Special

For Nagarjuna, Coolie held significance for additional reasons. Speaking about his role, he explained how playing a grey character brought him a great deal of appreciation. “I played a villain for the first time in my career. My character, Simon, has become a metaphor. I am being asked by other filmmakers to do a Simon. I am not closed to the idea of playing the villain again. But I am happy being the good guy,” he shared.

The Re-release of Shiva

The year 2025 also saw several notable film re-releases, including Nagarjuna’s iconic Shiva. Speaking about its impact, the actor said the response exceeded expectations, especially among younger audiences. “What an impact it made! It reconnected with the youth, the Gen Z, just as it had connected thirty years ago with youngsters,” he said.

He further added, “Even outside India, Shiva is a film I am most recognized for. I think Geethanjali and Shiva are my most influential films.”

What’s Next for Nagarjuna?

Looking ahead, Nagarjuna revealed that 2026 would mark a major milestone with his 100th film. “In 2026, I have my hundredth release coming up. We are in no hurry to release it. We want it to be something special,” he said.

Sharing details about the project, he explained, “It is a family film with action. My character, his wife, and daughter are there. The director Ra Karthik has directed an OTT series before. This is his first feature film. I am open to working with new talent.”

Nagarjuna was last seen on screen in Coolie, and as he looked back on 2025, the actor appeared both content with the year gone by and optimistic about what lay ahead.

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