In a candid revelation, Amala Akkineni, wife of Tollywood superstar Nagarjuna, has opened up about her evolving relationship with her stepson, actor Naga Chaitanya. She shared intimate details about their bond during a recent podcast appearance, shedding light on their family dynamics.
The Turning Point in Hyderabad
Amala explained that a significant geographic distance initially shaped her connection with Chaitanya. Naga Chaitanya spent his childhood in Chennai with his mother, while Amala and Nagarjuna were primarily based in Hyderabad. She stated that although she remained in touch with him during his early years, their relationship deepened substantially only when he moved to Hyderabad for his college education.
"Chaitanya was a young man when I really got to know him," Amala recalled during her interaction on NTV's podcast. "He grew up in Chennai. He came to Hyderabad only for college. Of course, I was very much in touch with him, but I really got to know him when he moved to Hyderabad." This period marked a pivotal chapter in their relationship, allowing them to build a stronger, more personal connection.
Praise for Naga Chaitanya's Character
Amala did not hold back in her admiration for her elder stepson, describing him as "a lovely human being" with "maturity and wisdom beyond his age." She highlighted his responsible nature and thoughtful approach to life.
"Very responsible. He is the kind of person who has never made mistakes and has always listened to his father," she shared. "So, he always had his own planning and thought." This praise underscores the strong foundation of respect and understanding that defines their relationship today.
Parenting Philosophy and Akhil Akkineni
When the conversation turned to her younger son, Akhil Akkineni, whom she shares with Nagarjuna, Amala described a different dynamic. She acknowledged having a strong influence on Akhil's upbringing.
"Akhil, of course, is my son, and I had a lot of influence on him," she said. The core philosophy she and Nagarjuna applied to parenting both their sons was fostering independence. "We brought up our boys to be very independent," she explained.
This philosophy involved encouraging the children to be decisive from a very young age. "They have been taught to make decisions for themselves from a young age," Amala revealed. "They have been taught to make decisions and move on with them, not be a cat on the wall." This approach, she believes, has equipped both Naga Chaitanya and Akhil Akkineni to handle both success and failure with equal grace and resilience.
