King Nagarjuna ever readily agreed to turn Sai Baba of Shirdi, in ‘Shirdi Sai’ under K.Raghavendra Rao’s direction. Nag known for his creative and innovative roles thought of experimenting once again reviving the magic of ‘Annamayya’ and ‘Sri Rama Dasu’. On many occasions he recollected how he had visions of Sai Baba influencing him nudging him to do the role providing strength and courage required to don the role.
Media asked him whether he watched earlier films that came on Shirdi Sai in Tollywood and in particular ‘Shirdi Sai Baba Mahatyam’ starring Vijaychander. In the film Vijaychander gave superlative performance and still the songs in the film live in the memories of all devotees and music lovers. However Nag replied in negative confessing the very thought of watching ‘Sai’ scares him.
He says he was not arrogant as a actor when he did not watch those hit films, but said he feared that the performance of those actors as Shirdi Sai may influence him and his performance. He says sometimes he wonder why Saibaba will be shown as shivering in some scenes as one can not predict his age and as a lord he should have all strength in the world.Many wonder whether Nag really did not watch ‘Sai Baba’ earlier films or has ‘Shirdi Sai’ scared him to submission.