Nagarjuna: Father ANR was mocked for feminine mannerisms, wanted to kill himself
India TodayTelugu actor Nagarjuna Akkineni shared heartfelt memories of his father, the late Akkineni Nageswara Rao, during a session at the International Indian Film Festival in Goa. Speaking about ANR’s humble origins and extraordinary journey to becoming one of Telugu cinema’s most celebrated actors, Nagarjuna offered fascinating insights into his father’s early struggles and dedication. “He came from a very humble family, a farmer's family,” Nagarjuna said, describing his father’s upbringing in a small village near Madras that lacked even basic amenities like electricity. “He would scream at the ocean for 15–20 minutes to make his voice hoarse and even smoked cigars to roughen it,” Nagarjuna recounted, reflecting on his father’s relentless pursuit of perfection.