As Nani turns 42, it seems like the right time to look back on the career of an actor who changed the romantic-comedy scene in Tollywood and then slowly left it.

Nani owned Telugu rom-coms for over a decade, then walked away from all of it. On his 42nd birthday, a look at what he built and the gap he's left behind.

Known as Telugu cinema’s Natural Star, Nani has been capturing thousands of hearts over the years with his relatable and nuanced performances.