The film Shiva, directed by Ram Gopal Varma and starring Nagarjuna, remains one of the most iconic films in Telugu cinema. Produced by Annapurna Studios, the movie not only became a blockbuster but also changed the direction of both Nagarjuna’s and Varma’s careers.
At that time, Nagarjuna was already a popular star with successful films like Geethanjali. Even so, when Ram Gopal Varma narrated the story of Shiva, Nagarjuna immediately agreed to act in it. What made this decision remarkable was the fact that Varma had no prior experience in the film industry. He had never worked as an assistant director nor in the writing department.
Despite this, Akkineni Venkat saw promise in Varma’s ideas and style. An important factor behind this opportunity was that Varma’s father was working as a sound engineer at Annapurna Studios, which helped him get an introduction. Once Venkat and Nagarjuna got to know Varma, they trusted his talent and decided to take the risk.
Interestingly, Varma first approached media baron Ramoji Rao with the script, but was rejected because he had no background or proven experience. Later, he went to producer Suresh Babu, who also turned down the project. It was only after approaching the Akkineni family that Varma finally got his chance to direct.
The risk paid off. Shiva not only succeeded in Andhra Pradesh but also made bigger profits in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, according to Venkat, because the film was distributed directly by their studio.
For Varma, the film was life-changing. With just one hit, he earned recognition as a director with a unique style. Soon, he worked with star heroes, moved to Bollywood, and established himself as a filmmaker with a distinct voice.
Varma himself has often said that meeting Nagarjuna was a turning point in his life. While many directors lose their image after a series of flops, Varma’s charisma and reputation as a bold filmmaker have remained intact in the industry.