Telugu actor Nani expresses his admiration for Amitabh Bachchan, says, "Always looked for a script like ‘Agneepath"

Telugu actor Nani, who has yet to appear in a Hindi film, recalls being captivated by the Amitabh Bachchan film "Agneepath" as a child. This early exposure to Bollywood sparked his love for Hindi cinema.

In an interview with PTI, Nani said, "I’ve watched a lot more Hindi films than people who live here (in the north). There are some amazing directors that I want to work with every time I see (their work). I’m a huge fan of Bachchan sir. My interest towards movies and wanting to make a film…Then even with the performance, Agneepath’ played a big role in the later part. Like, when I wanted a certain intensity for the character… I always looked for a script like Agneepath, that was one childhood thing for me."

Agneepath is a classic Bollywood film starring Amitabh Bachchan as Vijay Deenanath Chauhan. The story revolves around Vijay's pursuit of revenge against those who wronged his family. His father, Deenanath Chauhan, is brutally murdered, and Vijay's family is subjected to great hardship. Driven by a desire for justice, Vijay leaves his peaceful life to enter the dangerous world of Mumbai's underworld. "The film not only turned the actor into a movie buff but also inspired him to pen a couple of stories, including a thriller," he said.

Agneepath played a pivotal role in redefining the Hindi cinema hero. Directed by Mukul Anand and produced by Yash Johar, the 1990 film showcased Amitabh Bachchan in a powerful performance that earned him his first Best Actor National Award. "My inspiration for the first film was Agneepath… This is the first film which I wanted to make (as a director) when I was an assistant director, which I’ve never made…I still have the story, and then I’ve two or three more stories, which have to be adapted to the current times. There are a couple of directors who I’ve worked with, who know the basic idea about it, they are always like, ‘Let’s do it’," Nani said.