JD Chakravarthy Reveals How Shiva Was Nearly Shelved on Its First Day
JD Chakravarthy shares that Shiva was almost shelved on day one due to creative clashes between Ram Gopal Varma and action choreographer Raju. Nagarjuna's intervention saved the film.
Dumtika Editorial
April 30, 2026 · 1 min read
(Image: Dumtika Editorial)
JD Chakravarthy Reveals How Shiva Was Nearly Shelved on Its First Day
JD Chakravarthy has surprised fans by revealing that the cult classic Shiva, starring Nagarjuna and directed by Ram Gopal Varma, was almost called off on its very first day of shooting. The film, which marked Varma's directorial debut, has long been celebrated for its realistic depiction of college life and action, but its journey was not as smooth as fans might believe.
Speaking to the media, JD Chakravarthy, who played a pivotal role in the movie, recounted a tense moment involving action choreographer Raju, known for his work on Chiranjeevi's Khaidi. Raju planned an elaborate stunt, featuring cars, smoke, and burning tyres, reminiscent of larger-than-life action sequences. However, Ram Gopal Varma strongly opposed this, insisting on a natural and grounded approach, and questioned, “who will watch such scenes?” as per Chakravarthy’s account.
The disagreement escalated, with Raju expressing his intent to quit the project. It was only Nagarjuna’s timely intervention, along with his rapport with Varma, that helped mend fences and kept the film from being shelved. This behind-the-scenes drama shows how close audiences came to missing out on a milestone film in Telugu cinema.
With this revelation, fans are sure to look back at Shiva with renewed appreciation, and it adds yet another fascinating layer to the film’s legacy. As the industry continues to celebrate Varma and Nagarjuna’s contributions, movie lovers can expect more such untold stories to emerge.
