Nagarjuna’s 100th Film: A New Director, A Mafia Backdrop, and High Expectations

Nagarjuna Akkineni, known for introducing fresh talent to the Telugu film industry, appears set to continue that tradition with his milestone 100th film. According to industry buzz, the veteran star has finalized director Ra. Karthik, best known for Nitham Oru Vaanam (released as Aakasham in Telugu), to helm the prestigious project.

While Karthik's debut had a modest box office response in Telugu states, Nagarjuna is reportedly impressed by the director’s vision and narration style. Despite the odds, the actor has shown confidence in Karthik’s ability to craft a mass commercial entertainer that will appeal to a broad audience—especially die-hard Akkineni fans. The upcoming film is said to feature a mafia backdrop, marking an exciting genre shift for both actor and director.

Currently, work on the second half of the script is underway, and pre-production is expected to ramp up soon. A formal announcement is anticipated in the coming weeks.

Interestingly, director Mohan Raja (Godfather) was earlier in talks to direct Nagarjuna’s 100th film, reportedly with a father-son storyline featuring Akhil Akkineni. However, that project appears to have been put on hold.

Following the success of Naa Saami Ranga, Nagarjuna has yet to commit to a solo lead role. His upcoming appearances in Kubera and Coolie are said to be pivotal but not lead-centric. This makes the 100th film even more significant for fans eagerly waiting to see the star back in a central, high-impact role.

Stay tuned—an official announcement could be just around the corner.