Akhil Akkineni's latest release, Lenin, has emerged as a much-needed success in his career. During the film's success meet, the actor turned emotional and hugged his father, Nagarjuna, who also produced the film. Speaking exclusively to Filmfare, Akhil reflected on that heartfelt moment. "I was overwhelmed with the success. It was an emotional moment, and I had no words to say," he said.
'I was long overdue for success'
Calling Lenin a turning point, Akhil admitted that the film arrived at the right time in his career. "I was long overdue for success. It was a validation for the people who believed in me and my potential," he said. While films like Hello and Most Eligible Bachelor earned appreciation, Akhil believes Lenin connected with audiences in a way his previous films did not."Audiences were moved by my performance in Lenin. They enjoyed seeing me in a rugged and mass character. That's heartening to see." The actor also candidly acknowledged that some of his earlier career choices did not work in his favour. "I made some bad choices, and I blame myself for that. But I believe everything happens for a reason, and I'm learning from my mistakes," he added.
Zainab stood by him during his toughest phase
Akhil also spoke about the serious hand injury he suffered during the making of Lenin, which forced him to take a break from acting for nearly 18 months after undergoing two surgeries. "It was a traumatic experience. There was a 50:50 chance that my middle and ring fingers would return to normal," he recalled.
The actor credited his wife, Zainab, for helping him through the difficult period. "During my recovery, her support was paramount. The experience grounded me and taught me that anything can happen at any time, so you should be grateful and enjoy life." Known for his energetic personality, Akhil admitted that being forced to slow down changed his perspective. "I overrode my engine," he said with a laugh. "The way my life came to a standstill shocked me, and Zainab helped channel my energies. Looking back, I consciously decided to prioritise what truly matters in life, and it's working for me."
Learning beyond acting
Reflecting on his decade-long career, Akhil said he now understands filmmaking from a much broader perspective. "I could have done more films. During failures, you go through pain, frustration and helplessness. But I learned to channel that energy into finding the right script. I think Lenin benefited from that." He added that his journey has taught him there is much more to cinema than acting alone.
"I've been working on understanding the filmmaking process, what audiences expect from me, and what kinds of roles suit me." Asked whether Lenin has finally eased the pressure of delivering at the box office, Akhil said the film has given him renewed confidence. "Box office numbers are the biggest validation. Lenin has empowered me and given me the confidence to move forward. Now I want to focus on my next film."
Also Read: Mahesh Babu, Ram Charan and Nani Praise Akhil Akkineni's Lenin Trailer
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