Here’s how Nagarjuna, Adivi Sesh and other south stars celebrated Pongal this year: “I wait for this day every year”

By Subhash K. Jha -

January 15, 2025 - 12:19 PM IST

Sudheer Babu was in in Mumbai for Pongal. “I'm celebrating Pongal with prep work and mock shoots for Telugu-Hindi film Jatadhara in Mumbai,” he said. “I'm enjoying this new way of celebrating too! There is not better way to celebrate than hard work. Jokes aside, Pongal is my favorite festival because it's steeped in cultural heritage. We always have big family gatherings for it. That said, there isn’t much difference in talent or resources between Hyderabad and Mumbai; it's really just the working style that varies, and I'm already accustomed to it from my Baaghi days.”

Here’s how Nagarjuna, Adivi Sesh and other south stars celebrated Pongal this year: “I wait for this day every year”

He added, “In 2024, I had two well-received films, Harom Hara and Ma Nanna Super Hero, released. I'm thrilled to kick off 2025 with Jatadhara. As always, I focus on my work and leave it to the audience to decide its success. Prerna Arora stands out as a producer with a deep love for cinema, focusing not just on finance but on crafting unique theatrical experiences. Our collaboration's unique selling point is blending mythology with science, promising audiences an unparalleled cinematic journey.”

Adivi Sesh was happy to be in Hyderabad for Pongal. “Pongal is very special for me, sir, but it's a unique thing, you know, growing up in the U.S,” he said. “Pongal was always, Sankranti was always a moment where we'd go to the temple in Livermore in California, you know, just pray for a bit. Amma would always make sure to make some of her delicious food like Sabudana Khichdi, for example, and you know, it was quite beautiful, but it was quite far away from home.”

But it was Pongal in India that Sesh missed. He said, “I was fortunate to be in India once or twice during Sankranti and that's when I got into the kite flying. It was the most amazing experience. I dare say that Hyderabad rivals Jaipur in terms of the beautiful collage of kites in the sky on Sankranti. This year is actually a working Sankranti. I'm actually in Mumbai rehearsing for the new schedule of Dacoit. This is one more very special project for me. And I am giving it my best shot. Goodachari 2 will come first. I am very very proud of the sequel. I feel we’ve gone beyond the first Goodachari film. Otherwise, there is no point to doing an encore.”

Varun Tej had a gala time with his uncle Chiranjeevi and the rest of the family. “It is Makar Sankranti,” he said. “I wait for this day every year. For me, Sankranti is a time for family, friends and food. Sankranti has always been about celebrating with family and coming together.”

This is the time when Varun gets to spend time with his legendary uncle. “Every year, our large family gathers at Chiranjeevi Garu’s house, or we all head out of Hyderabad to celebrate at our farmhouse in Bangalore,” he said. “It’s a tradition we all look forward to, spending time with loved ones, sharing delicious food, having great conversations, and flying kites with the kids.”

He added, “One day is not enough. It’s a three-day festival where even the busiest among us, including actors in the family, take time off to come together and celebrate this beautiful occasion. It is like Diwali in Hindi cinema. Sankranti is a big season for movie lovers, with so many major films releasing every year. Down South, especially in Andhra and Telangana, the festival is celebrated with immense enthusiasm both at home and in movie theatres. I must say this is my favourite festival!”

Nagarjuna had a special reason to feel festive this Pongal. “This year we have a new member in the family,” said the veteran artiste. “My elder son Chaitanya got married. His wife Sobhita has brightened up Pongal for us. Nothing gives me more joy than when all of us are together, especially during festivities.”

Also Read: Nagarjuna Akkineni on the double celebration in his family, “I couldn’t be happier”