Vijay Deverakonda Says Arjun Reddy Will Always Be A Part Of Him: 'Like Leonardo DiCaprio And Titanic'

News18

5 days ago

Vijay Deverakonda says his goal isn't to erase Arjun Reddy from memory, but to offer more unforgettable films — focusing on quality.
Sandeep Reddy Vanga's Arjun Reddy remains Vijay Deverakonda's defining film—he played a self-destructive, hot-headed alcoholic surgeon who managed to strike a chord with audiences. While the role launched him into stardom, it also haunted him with expectations.
In a recent chat with The Hollywood Reporter India, Vijay opened up about his relationship with the movie—and how he finally stopped trying to fight its shadow.
Recalling a visit to a friend's house where guests excitedly asked to meet him because of Arjun Reddy, he said, 'It's a good thing. I used to fight it for the longest time because I was under the impression that I had to do something better to surpass it, and I wanted people to forget Arjun Reddy. But recently, I came to terms with the fact that it's a film that will always be loved, and maybe the goal is not to do work that makes people forget it."
He compared his situation to Leonardo DiCaprio's connection to Titanic, noting that even as an actor evolves, their iconic roles stay with them. 'Like, I will always remember Leonardo DiCaprio's Titanic, but that doesn't mean he cannot or will not do other good work. But he will always be attached to it. So people can have that kind of relationship with me and their fondness for me because of Arjun Reddy. So I have left that battle aside, and now the goal is to make good films. It's not about making people forget Arjun Reddy, but giving them other memorable films that they also enjoy and that add to the list."
Despite criticism for its portrayal of toxic behaviour, misogyny, and substance abuse, Arjun Reddy was a box office hit, earning Rs 51 crore globally. It was remade in Bollywood as Kabir Singh with Shahid Kapoor and Kiara Advani.
Meanwhile, Vijay is now looking forward to the release of his upcoming spy thriller Kingdom, directed by Gowtam Tinnanuri. The film is slated to release in theatres on July 31. The recently released promo has already created buzz online, with fans calling it a much-needed comeback for the actor.
First Published:
July 08, 2025, 13:51 IST
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