At a time when he is trying to make "memorable" stuff at this stage in his career, it was a bit irresponsible on the part of those who tried to project Nag's political ambitions for no rhyme or reason. Nevertheless, what he said in December last should make us take stock of Nag's future plans.

"At this stage of my career, I do not want to do run-of-the-mill stuff. I want to do distinct films. Thankfully, everything is starting to fall in place", the Akkineni said. Doing Gaganam and Rajanna were decisions he had made consciously to reinvent his career, if not himself.

You could say that Nag failed to achieve his aim (believing that he had one) despite setting forth with a lofty intent, but it is true that a Rome cannot be built in a day. It is not just his career graph that Nag is consciously trying to remodel, but also himself. The passion with which he is working for Damarukam and Shirdi Sai bears testimony to this conjecture. "Damarukam and Shirdi Sai fall in the category of different films. I am no longer only after commercial films. Shirdi Sai is going to be another such film. I want to make films which will be milestones in my career", he has said.

From looks to demeanour to his mien, Nag is orchestrating a conscious metamorphosis. The ageing actor, it seems, no longer believes in the redeeming value of his glamorous looks. At a time when his son Naga Chaitanya, is making headway in his career, running around the bushes is no longer his cup of tea. He is said to be in talks with filmmakers and is prodding the likes of Dasarath (of Santosham fame) to come out with sensible subject matter.

Come April/May, he may surprise us with that intelligent film, Damarukam. Directed by Srinivas Reddy, this is a socio-fantasy film with a difference. If the news that it is based on Amish Tripati's Immortals of Meluha is true, we are in for a novel and intelligent film.

Shirdi Sai, which will release later this year, will have the old-timers and youngsters go gaga over KRR's Nag. Will he finally better Annamayya?