Nagarjuna’s Debut Film: Akkineni Nagarjuna made his debut in Tollywood with the film Vikram in 1986. This movie marked the beginning of his successful journey in Telugu cinema. Before choosing Vikram, the makers had another plan. Nagarjuna was initially supposed to debut with the remake of Chiranjeevi’s Vijetha which was based on the Hindi film Saaheb.
Producer Akkineni Venkat and director V. Madhusudhana Rao were interested in remaking Saaheb for Nagarjuna’s launch. They felt it was the perfect story for his debut. They tried to buy the remake rights. But Allu Aravind had already acquired them and was preparing to make Vijetha with Chiranjeevi. That unexpected move changed Nagarjuna’s path.
The Twist by Allu Aravind
Unable to secure Saaheb rights, Venkat purchased the remake rights of a Jackie Shroff starrer and created Vikram. Nagarjuna’s brother Venkat produced the movie and Madhusudhana Rao directed it. Actress Shobana also made her Telugu debut with this film. Vikram was a commercial success and ran for over 100 days in theaters.
Nagarjuna’s Versatility and Support for New Talent
Nagarjuna has always supported new directors and experiments in storytelling. Throughout his four decade long career, he introduced more than 50 directors to the industry. He acted in all genres, from action and romance to devotional and thriller films.
Chiranjeevi’s Vijetha Becomes a Classic
Chiranjeevi’s Vijetha became a big hit. It helped Chiranjeevi break his action hero image. Directed by Kodandarami Reddy, the movie had dialogues by Jandhyala. Bhanupriya played the lead actress with Sharada and J.V. Somayajulu in key roles. Vijetha received critical acclaim and box office success.
Allu Arjun’s First On-Screen Appearance
The film also marked the first on-screen appearance of Allu Arjun. He played a child role as Sharada’s son. His brother Allu Bobby also appeared in a few scenes. This film quietly introduced the future Icon Star of Tollywood.
Vikram vs Vijetha: A Career Shaping Moment
Though Vikram succeeded, Vijetha ended up being the more iconic film. Still, Vikram became a strong launchpad for Nagarjuna who went on to become one of the most respected actors in Telugu cinema.
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