Why Should I Act Till My Last Breath?

Kongara Jaggayya was regarded as the finest method actors of Indian cinema. He was hailed as Kalavachaspati and Kanchu Kantham Jaggaiah for his booming voice.

He mastered astrology and also studied the literature of Rabindranath Tagore. On December 31st every year, entire Tollywood use to party at Jaggaiah's house as he used to throw lavish party with all international brands.

In one such party, a guest asked Jaggayya, "What's your life ambition? Many top stars are coming with statements that they will act till their last breath. Will you too do the same?"

Jaggayya turned furious and thundered "Sir, I donot have that necessity. I will retire when I have half of my breath to live. Why? If I donot act, should I stop breathing? What was my bank balance when I entered the industry and what is it now. How much time we think about earnings. Only we should earn in the industry? Shall we not give opportunity to the newcomers? Had our seniors did the same, where we would have been? How much more is our salary compared to the average salary of an ordinary person?"

When the guest asked "Can we take this as your opinion? or it came just for the heck of it?" Jaggayya retored "Sir, I understand your inner meaning. This is not from my heart. This is my statement. You can write it in the news papers.Jaggayyah will not talk in dual manner every day. If that happens, I am not Jaggayya. "

One should be extra careful while designing costumes for Jaggayya. Even little variations will turn him furious and he used to throw them out.