Subhash K Jha (DNA; June 24, 2015)

South actress Amala Akkineni who gave up a thriving career to become Mrs Nagarjuna in 1989, has now made a tentative comeback to the silver screen. She was seen in the brief but powerful role of Emraan Hashmi’s mother in Hamari Adhuri Kahani. The last time Hindi audiences had seen Amala was in Ram Gopal Varma’s Shiva with her husband in 1990. She was also seen in a brief cameo two years ago in Listen…Amaya.

Speaking from Hyderabad where she lives with her husband and two grown-up sons, Amala confesses, “It has been a long time. I gave up acting decades ago. I was exhausted. I had been acting from a very young age and also performing with the Kalakshetra, a dance troupe, from city to city. I needed a break. After marriage I took time off. That break lasted 24 years!”

Amala actually returned to screen in 2012 with a touching Telugu film entitled Life Is Beautiful. She recounts how the film’s director wouldn’t take a no for an answer. “For six months the director and casting director kept calling and saying that the mother’s role could be played only by me. Though I was very moved by their determination, I wasn’t sure I wanted to return to acting as my hands were filled with my family duties and the work that I am doing with various NGOs.”

Finally, it was the script that convinced Amala. “They shot all the portions with the other actors. Then they showed me what they had shot. I had to play the mother of three children. When I saw what they had shot I readily agreed.”

It was Mahesh Bhatt who convinced her to do Hamari Adhuri Kahani. “When he called to say there is a role for me, I wasn’t sure. They shot most of the film and then my portion. I had just one day’s work with Emraan and Vidya. I really enjoyed working with them. Emraan is such a gentleman. Vidya is a lovely woman — softspoken and gracious.”

Amala says she is willing to do more roles if they are worth her while. “I am working for various NGOs and looking after my home. Also, as the director of Annapurna International School for Film and Media, I am fully devoted channelising and nurturing new talent.”

Both her sons are now actors.

Says the proud mother, “Both Naga Chaitanya and Akhil are in the movies. They both insisted on being launched outside the home banner. My husband and I are very proud of them. They are now busy with their careers.”

So does she see off three actors every morning? Laughs Amala, “Not possible. The three men are frequently shooting in different corners of the world.”

Amala and Nagarjuna have been married for 24 years.A record of sorts in the entertainment industry where marriages are seen to crumble over time.

Says Amala, “The reason why we are together for so long is that we trust each other implicity. There has to be a mutual respect and trust for any marriage to work.”