
Vijay Deverakonda recollects getting picked from 16k applicants for Sekhar Kammula film: ‘Gave me a reason to wake up'
Vijay spoke on stage about how he was desparate to get some footing in the film industry when he had auditioned for Kammula's film and said, 'I remember in 2011 or 2012, I made a habit of opening the Idlebrain website to check if there were casting calls. Social media was not as prevalent as it is now. I vividly remember seeing that Sekhar Kammula is casting for a film called Life is Beautiful. When he made Happy Days (2007), I was still in the intermediate or first year of my degree. I was not looking to be an actor yet. By the time I saw this casting call, I had completed my degree and had been trying for a year to get into films.'
The actor said that he still remembers how he felt when he had to wait for months to know if he landed the role or not, 'I still remember how I felt while applying and auditioning; it took me six months to get the role. The worry I felt then gave me a reason to wake up every morning; it felt fulfilling. It was better than having no options. They had received 16,000 applications for the film. Twelve of us, including me and Naveen Polishetty, were selected. That movie, in a small way, played a big role in our lives.' Producer Dil Raju's Dil Raju Dreams
Producer Dil Raju's Dil Raju Dreams was launched to give an opportunity to aspiring actors and technicians looking for a leeway into the Telugu film industry. Vijay stated at the event that nothing would make him happier than knowing at least one person had benefited from it, saying, 'I know how important an opportunity like that is. When Dil Raju announced Dil Raju Dreams today, I know many must have felt a ray of hope. Even if one of your dreams comes true due to this, I think it would be enough. After five years, when one of you talks about this on the stage like I am today, I will have a wide smile on my face and will be very happy.'
Vijay debuted in the film industry in 2011 with Nuvvila. His second film, Life Is Beautiful, was released in 2012. He was most recently seen in The Family Star and Kalki 2898 AD. He will soon star in Kingdom and a yet-to-be-titled film by Rahul Sankrithyan.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
43 minutes ago
- Time of India
THIS Ram Gopal Varma heroine was once touted as the next Urmila Matondkar, quit films after 12 years, later accused of abandoning ailing father
Antara Mali, once hailed as a rising star under Ram Gopal Varma's guidance, debuted in Bollywood with high expectations, showcasing her talent in films like 'Main Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hoon.' Despite critical acclaim, she never achieved superstardom, later venturing into direction before unexpectedly leaving the industry after her marriage. In an industry where fame is fleeting and talent doesn't always guarantee longevity, Antara Mali 's story stands out as both promising and puzzling. Once projected as the next Urmila Matondkar and a frequent collaborator of Ram Gopal Varma , Antara seemed poised for stardom. But after a dozen years in the spotlight, she chose to walk away—leaving behind a brief yet memorable legacy, and later, headlines for reasons far removed from cinema. Early Break and RGV 's Muse Daughter of renowned photographer Jagdish Mali, Antara made her Bollywood debut in 1998 with Dhoondte Reh Jaaoge!. While the film failed at the box office, her screen presence didn't go unnoticed. It was filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma who spotted her potential early on and soon became a key figure in shaping her cinematic journey. Notable Roles but Missed Stardom RGV cast her in several of his projects, including the Telugu film Prem Katha, Mast (1999), Road (2002), Company (2002)—where she played Ajay Devgn 's wife—and Darna Mana Hai (2003). Her most acclaimed role came in Main Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hoon, a tribute to the legendary actress. While critics praised her performance, the film failed to click with audiences. Despite multiple opportunities and RGV's unwavering support, Antara never quite reached the stardom many had predicted for her. Behind the Camera By 2005, Antara took a bold step to steer her career by directing and starring in Mr Ya Mrs, a comedy-drama that unfortunately didn't make a mark. The film failed to revive her slipping stardom. She made one final attempt at a comeback in 2010 with Amol Palekar 's ...And Once Again, but the film went unnoticed. After that, Antara quietly exited the film industry for good. In 2009, the actress tied the knot with Che Kurrien, the editor of GQ India. The couple later welcomed a daughter. Choosing a life away from the spotlight, Antara stepped back entirely from public life, dedicating herself to her family and keeping her personal affairs strictly private. Controversy and Public Scrutiny She returned to the headlines in January 2013—but this time, not for her films. Actress Mink Brar alleged that she found Antara's father, renowned photographer Jagdish Mali, wandering semi-nude on the streets of Versova. Brar accused Antara of neglecting her ailing father, a claim that sparked widespread concern, controversy, and criticism in the media. Quiet Farewell At the time, Antara —who was pregnant—responded strongly to the allegations. She clarified that her father was not mentally ill but occasionally experienced disorientation due to diabetes. Antara accused Mink Brar of exploiting the situation for publicity and maintained that her father was otherwise being cared for. Tragically, Jagdish Mali passed away just a few months later, on May 13, 2013. Since 2010, Mali has remained completely out of the limelight—no films, no interviews, and no public appearances. Her quiet departure from Bollywood stands as one of the industry's most understated exits—a talented actress who once held immense promise but ultimately chose a path far removed from fame.


India.com
2 hours ago
- India.com
Meet actress who started her career with Mahesh Babu at 24, played a surrogate mom at 31, is a National Award winner, her name is....
Before the lights, fame, and awards, Kriti Sanon stood teary-eyed in the middle of a ramp walk, humiliated, shaken, but quietly determined to rise. Today, she's a celebrated actor, a National Award winner, and a rising force in Bollywood, but her journey wasn't all red carpets and spotlights. From a middle-class dreamer to the big screen Born on July 27, 1990, into a humble middle-class family, her father a chartered accountant, her mother a professor, Kriti always dreamed of cinema. She started her film journey in 2014 opposite Mahesh Babu in the Telugu film 1: Nenokkadine, which earned her praise and set her path toward Bollywood. That same year, she made her Hindi debut with Heropanti, co-starring Tiger Shroff. The audience noticed her, and soon, so did the industry. But success didn't come without scars In an early modelling assignment at a farmhouse, Kriti's heel sank into wet soil mid-ramp walk. What followed was a public scolding by her choreographer in front of a crowd. 'I felt humiliated… I cried right there,' she shared in an interview. But instead of breaking her, the moment pushed her harder. 'It made me more focused,' she recalled. 'Mimi' changed everything Though films like Dilwale, Bareilly Ki Barfi, Luka Chuppi, and Raabta built her reputation, it was Mimi (2021), where she played a surrogate mother, that earned Kriti her first National Film Award. Her portrayal was powerful, emotional, and career-defining. Where is she now? At 35, Kriti has worked with some of the industry's biggest names and even turned producer with her upcoming film Do Patti. She's starred in Adipurush, Bhediya, Ganapath, Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya, and Shehzada, proving her versatility and command over the screen.


Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Pressured to lose weight, Sridevi fainted on set and lost a tooth. Eventually the movie was never finished
Behind the dazzling image of Sridevi's stardom was a harsh reality marked by relentless pressure to maintain a certain appearance. In a recent interview, filmmaker Pankaj Parashar opened up about an incident that severely impacted both the late actor's health and a film project they were working on. Parashar, who directed Sridevi in Chaalbaaz, blamed filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma for pressuring her to lose weight during their collaboration on the 1991 Telugu film Kshana Kshanam—a push that, he claims, led to a disturbing health episode. Shooting Halted After Sudden Collapse Speaking to Friday Talkies, Parashar shared that filming for his project Meri Biwi Ka Jawab Nahin, which starred Sridevi and Akshay Kumar, was progressing smoothly until Sridevi began an extreme diet regimen. He claimed that Varma kept urging her to slim down, prompting her to eliminate salt from her diet entirely. The result was a dramatic drop in her blood pressure. According to Parashar, Sridevi fainted on set, hit her head on a table, remained unconscious for around 20 minutes, and even lost a tooth. Due to facial injuries, she had to step away from the shoot, effectively derailing the film's schedule. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Project Management Degree Artificial Intelligence Data Science Healthcare others Management Design Thinking Technology Data Analytics PGDM Data Science Others Digital Marketing Finance Cybersecurity Public Policy Leadership Product Management MCA Operations Management MBA CXO healthcare Skills you'll gain: Project Planning & Governance Agile Software Development Practices Project Management Tools & Software Techniques Scrum Framework Duration: 12 Weeks Indian School of Business Certificate Programme in IT Project Management Starts on Jun 20, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Portfolio Management Project Planning & Risk Analysis Strategic Project/Portfolio Selection Adaptive & Agile Project Management Duration: 6 Months IIT Delhi Certificate Programme in Project Management Starts on May 30, 2024 Get Details The production never recovered. Parashar said that after the incident, a series of unfortunate events followed—the financer exited the project, the producer passed away, and eventually, he had to abandon the film. Akshay Kumar Reflects on Incomplete Film Years later, actor Akshay Kumar also acknowledged the project's abrupt halt during an appearance on Koffee with Karan. He revealed that the film was never completed, and the 2004 release featured only the footage they had managed to shoot. The climax, where characters vowed revenge, was never filmed. Instead, viewers were met with a written message saying the revenge eventually took place. Boney Kapoor On Pattern of Starving for Roles This wasn't an isolated instance. In a conversation with The New Indian, Sridevi's husband and film producer Boney Kapoor revealed that the late actress often subjected herself to starvation diets to maintain her appearance. He stated that she had experienced blackouts multiple times due to low blood pressure, and doctors had warned her repeatedly. Kapoor also shared that actor Nagarjuna once recalled Sridevi fainting in a bathroom while on another crash diet, leading to a similar injury—she broke a tooth after collapsing. These accounts from those close to Sridevi paint a troubling picture of the toll that constant physical scrutiny and professional pressure can take. Despite her grace on screen, the late actor's journey was marked by episodes of physical strain brought on by demands for perfection.