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Ram Gopal Varma’s iconic 1989 Telugu film Shiva is all set to make a grand return to theatres on November 14, this time in a newly remastered 4K version. Starring Nagarjuna, Amala Akkineni, and Raghuvaran, the film’s re-release aims to bring back the raw intensity and realism that revolutionised Telugu cinema more than three decades ago Nagarjuna recalls watching Shiva again Speaking to the media ahead of the re-release, Nagarjuna expressed heartfelt gratitude to director Ram Gopal Varma for giving him one of the most defining roles of his career. “Just a few days ago, when I watched Shiva again, it felt like I was watching a completely new film. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” the actor said. Nagarjuna also shared an emotional memory of his father, the late Akkineni Nageswara Rao (ANR), who was moved by the film’s success. “I remember my father watching it two days after its release. Even as all kinds of comments poured in, he took me for a drive and told me the film was a huge hit,” Nagarjuna recalled fondly. “Chay and Akhil don’t have the guts to remake Shiva” When asked whether his sons — Naga Chaitanya or Akhil Akkineni — might ever star in a remake of Shiva, Nagarjuna responded with humour.“Chay and Akhil don’t have the guts to remake Shiva,” he laughed, acknowledging the film’s cult status and the pressure any remake would face. The actor also hinted at the possibility of collaborating again with his wife, Amala Akkineni, who co-starred with him in the original film. “I would love to work with Amala again if the right story comes along,” he said. A timeless classic reborn Shiva marked Ram Gopal Varma’s directorial debut and was produced by Akkineni Venkat and Yarlagadda Surendra under the banners of Annapurna Studios and SS Creations. The film’s gritty portrayal of student politics, campus violence, and a realistic narrative style redefined Telugu cinema in the late 1980s. Its background score, composed by Ilaiyaraaja, and its technical finesse set a new benchmark in Indian filmmaking. With its re-release, Shiva aims to introduce the groundbreaking classic to a new generation of viewers, while allowing older audiences to relive its revolutionary energy on the big screen. Nagarjuna and family’s recent projects On the work front, Nagarjuna was last seen in Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Coolie, while Naga Chaitanya recently starred in Chandoo Mondeti’s Thandel. Akhil Akkineni was last seen in Surender Reddy’s Agent. The remastered Shiva will be released in select theatres across India on November 14, celebrating one of the most important milestones in Telugu cinema history.
