Telugu superstar Nagarjuna finds himself in a rare and remarkable position this year, starring in two major Tamil films that symbolically connect two generations of cinema icons: Coolie with Rajinikanth and Kuberaa with Dhanush.
In a recent interview with Baradwaj Rangan on Galatta’s YouTube channel, Nagarjuna reflected on working with both the legend and the next-gen star and how their approaches to craft, despite the generational gap, share striking similarities. “They’re both quiet on set,” he noted. “But when it’s time to perform, they’re completely focused and immersed.”
Kuberaa, directed by Sekhar Kammula, features Dhanush in a gritty, intense role, a far cry from his usual screen presence. Nagarjuna appreciated Dhanush’s dedication, especially as he worked through the challenge of delivering intense Telugu dialogues with precision.
Dhanush, however, didn’t miss the chance to poke fun at himself in a recent press meet: “I play a beggar. I did a lot of research and stood in the sun. All lies! I just followed my director’s vision. Sekhar sir made it all look easy.”
Meanwhile, in Coolie, Nagarjuna joins forces with Rajinikanth, with whom he shares a relaxed camaraderie on set. “Rajini sir was chilled out, except during action scenes; then it was game face on.”
With Kuberaa releasing on June 20 and Coolie on August 14, Nagarjuna is not just making cinematic waves this year; he’s helping shape the narrative of Tamil cinema’s evolving legacy.
