As New Year 2026 approaches, Nagarjuna Akkineni is closing 2025 on a deeply content note. In a recent interaction, the veteran actor reflected on the past year with gratitude, calling it one of the most satisfying phases of his life — both personally and professionally. According to Nagarjuna, 2025 gave him everything he could have hoped for.
Speaking to ETimes, Nagarjuna described the year as “very, very satisfying,” adding that the greatest happiness came from seeing his sons settled and content in their personal lives. His younger son, Akhil Akkineni, tied the knot with Zainab Ravdjee in June this year, while his elder son, Naga Chaitanya, completed one year of marriage with Sobhita Dhulipala in December.
Reflecting on this, Nagarjuna said that life inevitably comes with its share of challenges, but he feels relieved and proud that both his sons have found happiness. Seeing them settled, he admitted, has brought him immense peace and fulfilment as a father.
On the professional front, 2025 proved equally memorable. Nagarjuna revisited some of his most exciting projects of the year, beginning with Kubera, where he collaborated with Dhanush for the first time. Calling the experience joyful, Nagarjuna noted that both actors share a similar mindset — confident, secure, and unthreatened by each other’s presence on screen.
Later in the year came Coolie, which marked another major milestone. The film allowed Nagarjuna to work alongside Tamil cinema legend Rajinikanth for the first time. Adding to the significance, Coolie also saw Nagarjuna step into the role of a villain — a first in his long and celebrated career.
Beyond new projects, 2025 also revived nostalgia with the re-release of Shiva. Nagarjuna expressed amazement at the film’s renewed impact, especially among Gen Z audiences. Decades after its original release, Shiva managed to connect with young viewers just as powerfully as it had with audiences 30 years ago. He also shared that internationally, Shiva remains one of the films he is most recognized for, alongside Geethanjali.
Earlier this year, Nagarjuna had also shared an emotional note welcoming Zainab Ravdjee into the family after Akhil’s wedding. The intimate ceremony, held at his home, was a moment of immense joy for him and his wife Amala, making 2025 a year he will always cherish.