Akkineni Nageswara Rao, the legend of Indian and Telugu Cinema, has a huge emotional connection with audiences through his great films. His son, King Nagarjuna, built an empire away from his father's image with his hard work and passion. But they both have an unique coincidence in their careers. 

The first film of Nagarjuna released on the same date as last film of ANR. Yes, maybe only die-hard Akkineni fans are aware of this coincidence but it is interesting decipher. On 23rd May, 1986, Nagarjuna's Vikram released and became a huge blockbuster establishing him as a lead actor. 

28 years later, ANR's final hurrah, Manam, that too having all three generations of Akkinenis in same frame - ANR, Nagarjuna, Naga Chaitanya and Akhil, released on 23rd May 2014. The significance of Vikram for Nagarjuna is that, he could realise his dream of being an actor and then he slowly understood his limitations to grow further. 

Without Vikram, Nagarjuna might have struggled to find better stories or confidence within to try out different films. He could deliver films like Geethanjali, Shiva that changed the course of Telugu Cinema at the dawn of 90's after just 3 years of his debut. 

 

Without Manam, ANR's lifelong dream to act till his last breathe and share screen with his son, grandson at the same time, might not have realised. Also, for a legend, it proved to be the fitting last film, as it turned out to be another cult classic for Telugu Cinema. 

 

Speaking about the unique coincidence, Akkineni Nagarjuna said, "For my debut and my father’s final film to release on the same day, decades apart, feels like cinema’s way of telling our story, a story of legacy, love, and a lifelong commitment to the craft."

 

Well, Nagarjuna completed 39 years of his career by May 23rd and he is gearing up to entertain audiences further in his landmark 40th year with Kuberaa along with Dhanush and Coolie along with Superstar Rajinikanth.