On the occasion of Amala Akkineni’s birthday on 12th September, we get drawn into memories of a time when she used to dance with utmost grace. The Akkineni ‘kodalu’ may have started as an actress, but her initiatives to bring a change in the mindset of people sets her apart from many actresses or daughters in law.

She was graceful in motion then, and graceful in thought now. Amala is an animal lover and a compassionate human being, who has managed to bring a change in preventing animal sacrifices in the name of religion. Having rescued sick and ailing animals from a very young age, the half Irish actress has a strategic mind like her husband Nagarjuna and a soft heart.

Her first film was ‘Mythili Ennai Kaathali’ in Tamil and the most recent was ‘Life is Beautiful’ in Telugu. Some of her dancing videos from the days when she was Nagarjuna’s co-star are a treat to watch even now. Amala, who is trained in Bharatnatyam, has stopped giving us such treats now. But, her amazing work in social service has ensured she remains an angel in our minds.