The date May 23 holds a special place in the Akkineni family, especially for Nagarjuna. It was on this day in 1986 that the actor began his journey in cinema with his debut film Vikram. The date later gained even greater emotional significance for the actor and his family.
On May 23, 1986, Nagarjuna first donned the greasepaint and stepped before the camera as a leading man with Vikram, marking the beginning of a successful career that continues to entertain audiences across generations. Years later, the same date became memorable once again when Manam released — the final on-screen appearance of legendary actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao.
Manam brought together three generations of the Akkineni family, including Nagarjuna, Naga Chaitanya and Akhil Akkineni, making May 23 a truly special date in the family’s cinematic legacy.
Fondly called Tollywood’s 'Celluloid Scientist,' Nagarjuna built his career through constant reinvention. From redefining intensity with Siva and romance with Geethanjali to entertaining audiences with films like Annamayya, Manmadhudu, Hello Brother and Bangarraju, Nagarjuna has consistently stayed ahead of changing trends and emerged as a style icon across generations.
In the ever-evolving landscape of Telugu cinema, remaining relevant and maintaining the same charm across decades is rare. Nagarjuna continues to enjoy that timeless appeal, making him one of Telugu cinema’s enduring stars.
With King100 currently under production, fans are eagerly waiting to see their “King” back on the big screen.
On the occasion, Nagarjuna shared a heartfelt note on social media. “Thank you for all the blessings and love being showered on me today. May 23 — the date I cannot forget! It is the day on which I had the honour of producing and releasing the last film Manam of my legendary father ANR, and the film in which I had the privilege of working with both my father and my sons,” he wrote.
He further added that May 23 is also memorable for another important reason. “Years ago, May 23 also gave me the opportunity to release my first film Vikram — an opportunity to entertain you and to receive your blessings and love,” said the actor.
“My deepest gratitude to all the fans who have stood by me all these years. Looking forward to many more May 23s,” he added.