In a heartfelt revelation, Amala Akkineni, wife of veteran actor Nagarjuna, has shared her immense happiness about embracing the role of a mother-in-law. She expressed deep admiration for her two daughters-in-law, Sobhita Dhulipala and Zainab Rajdvee, highlighting the unique perspectives and warmth they have brought into the renowned Akkineni household.
A Joyful Welcome for the New Brides
The Akkineni family has been immersed in celebration since August 2024, when actor Naga Chaitanya announced his engagement to Sobhita Dhulipala. The couple later tied the knot in December 2024. The festivities continued into 2025 as Nagarjuna's younger son, Akhil Akkineni, announced and then formalized his marriage to his longtime girlfriend, Zainab Ravdjee.
Amala, in a recent interview with NTV, radiated joy as she discussed this new chapter. "It is very wonderful to be a mother-in-law. I have two lovely daughters-in-law," she stated. Speaking about Sobhita, who married Naga Chaitanya after his previous marriage to actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Amala described her as a "talented, independent, lovely young person." She added, "We have great admiration for her. And she is such an affectionate young lady. I really enjoy spending time with her."
Zainab's Influence and a New Religious Sensibility
Amala's praise extended warmly to her second daughter-in-law, Zainab. She called Zainab a "very warm human being" who is accomplished in her own field. "There is so much love and joy in the house—it’s heartwarming. We are blessed to have lovely daughters," Amala shared.
She then made a significant observation about the cultural and religious blend in their home. Amala revealed that Zainab, who was born in Hyderabad and is now based in Mumbai, brought "a new sensibility of Islam" into their Hindu family. "She helped us understand how to make it comfortable for her to live in a Hindu home. It’s wonderful," Amala explained, underscoring the mutual respect and adjustment within the family. Zainab, an artist known for her abstract work and a brief acting stint in MF Hussain's Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities, also runs a fragrance blog called Once Upon The Skin.
A Tapestry of Spiritual Beliefs in the Akkineni Family
Delving deeper into the family's diverse spiritual landscape, Amala painted a picture of a household where different faiths coexist with profound respect. She shared that her mother was born Catholic but later adopted Sufism, while her father was Hindu.
She also shed light on the beliefs of her late father-in-law, the legendary Nageshwar Rao. "My father-in-law, Nageshwar Rao garu, had no religion—you cannot call him an atheist, but he would often say, 'Work is my worship,'" Amala recalled. "He never performed puja. He believed strongly in doing your duty well and living up to your values. That was his spirituality. He was very value-oriented, not religious."
As for her own path, Amala disclosed that she has been practicing Vipassana and following Buddha's teachings. With the recent addition of Islamic influences through Zainab, she described their home as having a "beautiful mix." "Each of us is genuine about our beliefs and respects the others'," she affirmed.
On the subject of rituals, Amala mentioned that while she doesn't know many details of performing a puja, she understands the symbolism. Her knowledge of Sanskrit makes Vedic chanting easy for her. "I was fortunate not to be born into a ritualistic family—I had the freedom to follow my own path," she said, highlighting her journey of embracing universal elements to find personal meaning. Amala Akkineni married Nagarjuna in 1992, and the actor has his son Naga Chaitanya from his previous marriage to Lakshmi Daggubati.
