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India Today
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Vijay Deverakonda refused the opportunity to act in Kuberaa. Here's why
Before Dhanush stepped into the rugged shoes of 'Kuberaa's' central character, Deva, the role was originally offered to another South star - Vijay Deverakonda. India Today exclusively learnt that the actor politely declined the film, citing concerns that the audience might not resonate with him playing a beggar.A source close to the development told India Today, 'Vijay was the first actor the makers approached. They were keen on casting someone with mass appeal, and Vijay fit the bill perfectly. But he had reservations about how his core audience would perceive the character.'advertisementThe film, directed by National Award-winner Sekhar Kammula, explores the gritty underworld through the eyes of a man who rises from the streets - literally. The character spends a significant portion of the narrative living as a beggar, a dramatic shift from the kind of larger-than-life roles Vijay is known for. 'He didn't want to risk alienating his fan base,' the source added. 'Vijay is extremely aware of his image, and he felt that the audience might reject his role. A subdued, powerless role felt like a misfit to him at this point in his career.' Vijay had earlier worked with Sekhar in 'Life is Beautiful'. He had a cameo in the film. Ultimately, the role landed with Dhanush, who has been widely applauded for his powerful and immersive performance.'Kuberaa', which released on June 20, opened to strong reviews and has made a solid mark at the box office, raking in over Rs 125 crores worldwide. As the film continues to soar, the casting decision seems to have worked out exactly as it should.- EndsMust Watch
Time of India
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Vijay Deverakonda recalls his big break: Picked from 16,000 applicants for 'Life is Beautiful
At the launch of Dil Raju 's 'Dreams in Hyderabad, Vijay Deverakonda took a heartfelt detour into his early career The actor reminisced about how he was selected from 16,000 applicants for filmmaker Sekhar Kammula 's Life is Beautiful (2012). Though his debut came with Nuvvila in 2011, it was this coming-of-age drama that gave Vijay his first meaningful break in the Telugu film industry. Humble Beginnings and Audition Nerves Long before Arjun Reddy made him a household name, Vijay was just another aspiring actor glued to casting calls. 'I used to check a popular website regularly because social media wasn't as common back then,' he recalled. When he saw Sekhar Kammula's audition call for 'Life is Beautiful', he immediately applied—even though the director's previous film 'Happy Days' had released when Vijay was still in college and not yet dreaming of acting. The selection process wasn't easy. 'It took six months from the time I applied to finally getting the role,' he said. 'There were 16,000 applications, and only 12 of us were selected—including me and Naveen Polishetty . That little film played a big role in shaping our lives.' A Turning Point and a Message to Dreamers Addressing the audience, which included many young hopefuls, Vijay said he still remembers the anxiety and hope that auditioning gave him. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Uber luxury living at Hyderabad's billionaire junction Sumadhura Group Learn More Undo 'The worry I felt at that time gave me a reason to wake up every day. It was better than feeling aimless. Just having a chance felt fulfilling.' From Then to Now Since Life is Beautiful, Vijay Deverakonda has risen to become one of Telugu cinema's most bankable stars. After roles in 'The Family Star' and 'Kalki 2898 AD', he's now prepping for his next projects, 'Kingdom' and a new film with director Rahul Sankrithyan. Anugrahan - Official Trailer
Hindustan Times
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Vijay Deverakonda recollects getting picked from 16k applicants for Sekhar Kammula film: ‘Gave me a reason to wake up'
Actor Vijay Deverakonda spoke about his beginnings in the film industry at the launch of Dil Raju Dreams in Hyderabad on Saturday. The actor recollected getting picked for Sekhar Kammula's Life is Beautiful from 16,000 applicants and how the film changed his life. Vijay Deverakonda debuted in the film industry with the 2011 film Nuvvila. 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.
Hans India
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Gautam Krishna Donates Rs 1 Lakh to Martyr's Family at ‘Solo Boy' Trailer Launch
The trailer launch event of the upcoming film 'Solo Boy' turned into a deeply emotional and patriotic gathering as Bigg Boss fame Gautam Krishna handed over a donation of ₹1 lakh to the family of martyr Murali Nayak, who laid down his life during Operation Sindhura. As a mark of respect and honour, the trailer was officially launched by the martyr's parents, symbolizing the film's deep-rooted values in nationalism and humanity. Produced by Seven Hills Satish under the Seven Hills Productions banner, the film is presented by Venu Dari Baby Nehasri and directed by P. Naveen Kumar. Gautam Krishna plays the lead alongside Swetha Avasthi and Ramya Pasupuleti, with a strong supporting cast including Posani Krishna Murali, Anita Chowdary, Shafi, RK Mama, Bhadram, Anand Chakrapani, Surya, and others. Trilok Siddhu handles cinematography, while Judah Sandy provides the music. A Powerful Tribute at the Launch In a heartfelt gesture, Gautam Krishna invited the parents of martyr Murali Nayak to launch the trailer. Speaking at the event, they expressed pride in their son's sacrifice for the nation and praised Gautam for treating them like his own parents. 'Listening to Gautam speak felt like hearing our son again,' they emotionally shared. Industry's Emotional Support Veteran producer Damodar Prasad, actor Sudhakar from 'Life is Beautiful', director AT Satyanarayana, music director RP Patnaik, and others praised the film's patriotic gesture and content. Many applauded producer Satish's genuine passion for cinema and Gautam's selfless involvement in the film — even contributing his own money during budget shortfalls and opting to take payment only after the film's success. RP Patnaik added that he is planning a musical night fundraiser for the martyr's family and expressed admiration for Gautam's dedication, likening his journey to that of the late Uday Kiran.
The Hindu
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Nagarjuna Akkineni interview: Sekhar Kammula is a great storyteller and stars like us can add value
Amid the promotional whirlwind, when Nagarjuna Akkineni finally sits down for this interview, he jokes about being the only one giving interviews while director Sekhar Kammula is tied up with last-minute post-production. Kuberaa, his first collaboration with the filmmaker, and with co-stars Dhanush, Rashmika Mandanna and Jim Sarbh, releases in cinemas in multiple languages on June 20. The trailer, which hints at a drama spanning different strata of society, has already sparked curiosity. 'Whenever we step into a new zone, we always have butterflies. We wonder whether the audience will accept it,' says Nagarjuna, who has been watching recent releases to understand audience sentiment. 'People have been receptive to films with strong drama and compelling characters, regardless of scale. In Kuberaa, we are all playing characters — we are not acting like stars. I believe that will resonate.' This collaboration has been a long time coming. Nagarjuna does not hide his admiration for Sekhar's ability to craft socially conscious, yet entertaining films that also perform well at the box office. 'We have met several times over the years, and I used to joke with him — he has worked with my wife, son, and nephew, so what is stopping him from casting me?' Amala Akkineni starred in Life is Beautiful,Naga Chaitanya in Love Story, and Sumanth played the lead in Godavari. Nagarjuna recalls, 'Sekhar would say, 'You are a big star — I am not sure you would fit into my stories'. And I would tell him, he is a brilliant storyteller, and stars like us can help bring people to the cinema. It's not just true for Telugu, Hindi or Tamil cinema — even in Hollywood, audiences go to theatres to watch a Tom Cruise or Tom Hanks film.' Hard-hitting and entertaining When Sekhar finally approached Nagarjuna for Kuberaa, the actor readily accepted. 'I do not often get such opportunities where I can truly become a character,' he says. Recalling the film's pre-release event, he adds, 'SS Rajamouli put it beautifully. He spoke about how Sekhar, who appears deceptively soft-spoken, never compromises on his principles, and that conviction shows in his storytelling.' In recent years, Nagarjuna has appeared in the action dramas Wild Dog and The Ghost, as well as the entertainer Naa Saami Ranga. While none stood out remarkably, they hinted at the actor's desire to reinvent himself. 'I was looking for something distinctive and found that in Sekhar's film,' he says. 'Take Wild Dog, for instance, the narration was solid but straightforward, with no room for commercial elements. Sekhar has this knack for placing a song where you least expect it, and making it feel organic. His films are uplifting, with strong music and a clear message. Love Story addressed caste and gender while still entertaining. It made people think. Kuberaa will do the same.' Love Story marked a turning point for Naga Chaitanya, whose emotionally nuanced performance drew praise. In Kuberaa, Nagarjuna plays a middle-class character named Deepak, opposite Dhanush's beggar, Deva, and Jim Sarbh's ultra-wealthy businessman. 'The story unfolds between these three social strata and strikes an emotional chord,' he says. 'The song 'Naadhi Naadhi' encapsulates the narrative beautifully.' The role required Nagarjuna to both unlearn and relearn. There were extensive discussions before filming began, and on set, Sekhar would brief the actors not just on the scene at hand but also on the ones preceding and following it, to offer full context. 'There were moments when Sekhar would say, 'I don't want to see confidence in your eyes, tone it down.' For another scene, he told me to let the tragedy show through my eyes, because my character knows the truth. These details made the performance feel authentic.' Nagarjuna recalls how Jim Sarbh surprised the entire team with his command over Telugu dialogue. 'He was the most hard-working among us,' he says. 'He doesn't speak a word of Telugu, yet he delivered even the longer lines with the correct intonation.' Unapologetic antagonist Back in 1988–89, Nagarjuna worked on two vastly different films in succession — Mani Ratnam's romantic musical drama Geetanjali, followed by Ram Gopal Varma's gritty actioner Siva. Decades later, history repeats itself as he juggles between the emotionally grounded Kuberaa and Lokesh Kanagaraj's high-octane action entertainer Coolie, starring Rajinikanth. He laughs at the contrast. 'I have been switching between a middle-class character and a suave antagonist,' he says. 'But both directors, and their teams, create the right environment on set. Lokesh, for instance, plays background music suited to each scene — it could be from Jailer or any Tamil, Telugu, even English film. It helps everyone get into the mood instantly.' In Coolie, Nagarjuna plays an antagonist with no room for introspection or redemption. 'He's an unapologetic, double alpha male,' Nagarjuna says. 'But there are no crass or crude scenes — it's the character's mindset that comes through. I enjoyed playing the bad guy who believes he's the king of the world and will take what he wants. When you have a protagonist like Rajinikanth, it's essential to have a formidable antagonist.' 100th film Nagarjuna will soon begin work on his 100th film. With over four decades in the industry, he believes staying relevant means keeping pace with changing audience preferences. 'It is the younger generation that's going to cinemas. We need to understand what appeals to them and present it in a way that resonates. I cannot come across as someone lecturing them. If I question why they are glued to their phones or stay up all night, they won't listen. Either I adapt to connect with them or I step aside.' He observes that audiences today are discerning about what they want to watch in cinemas versus on digital platforms. 'Some films are doing exceptionally well while others are tanking. The disparity is stark. Take Court, for instance — not a big-budget film, yet it did very well because of its strong drama.' The actor has seen the industry face existential questions thrice in his career — whether during the advent of television, the shift from film to digital, or now with OTT platforms. While acknowledging real challenges such as shorter theatrical windows and piracy, Nagarjuna remains optimistic. 'If a film is well made, the theatrical experience is still unmatched. New technology will only enhance that. The kind of viewing experience that's coming to cinemas simply cannot be recreated at home.' Speaking of the communal joy of watching films on the big screen, he offers an example. 'I watched Pushpa 2at home and again in the cinema. It was fun in the theatre, but boring at home. It's like watching a cricket match alone versus being in a stadium — cheering, feeling the excitement build. That atmosphere makes all the difference.'
