Three and a half years after he began shooting, Sai Dharam Tej will see the release of his film. Pilla Nuvvu Leni Jeevitam , directed by A.S. Ravi Kumar Chowdary, is technically Tej’s second film as an actor. His debut project was supposed to be Y.V.S Chowdary’s Rey , is still awaiting release. “April 25, 2011, was my first day of shoot for Rey . I took it easy for the first two or three days and then reality kicked in. I felt I had to live up to my family name. Allu Arjun and Ram Charan have set the benchmark high; I can’t afford to falter,” says the nephew of Nagababu, Chiranjeevi and Pawan Kalyan.
He signed Pilla Nuvvu Leni Jeevitam in 2012, while shooting for Rey . “Dil Raju sir called and asked if I wanted to act in a small film he’s producing. I did an audition, after which he said he didn’t want me for that film. I thought he didn’t like my audition. Then he told me about Pilla Nuvvu Leni Jeevitam; I was thrilled,” says Tej.
Ask him what the film is about and he quips with a chuckle, “It’s a typical Telugu genre film that’s an amalgamation of romance, action, comedy and drama.” Of late, the going hasn’t been good for ‘Telugu genre’ films that have been rehashing staid storylines. Tej says, “I’m aware that if I’m part of a film that has a done-to-death story line, I’ll end up harming myself and the team. I’ll try and do films that have fresh storylines.” In Pilla …, he plays a college student who falls in love and fights for his girl. “He is a boy next door who knows what to do and when.”
Cast opposite Regina Cassandra, he says, “She is a seasoned performer and was encouraging and supportive.” The film has been shot in Hyderabad.
Rey ’s release getting postponed due to reasons beyond his control, he says, was disheartening. “At the same time, I was glad this setback happened in the initial stage of my career. All my family members were supportive.”
Cinema was not the first thing on his mind despite coming from a film family. “I wanted to be a doctor, wrote EAMCET but didn’t get a high score. The formulae in physics and mathematics were overwhelming. I studied B.Sc Biotechnology at St. Mary’s College and for the first two years, I felt I had found my calling. Then I realised it wasn’t my cup of tea and pursued MBA at IIPM. I couldn’t do accounts after being a science student,” he says.
This constant state of flux left him frustrated. He realised being an actor would allow him to play multiple roles — a doctor, a CEO and so on. A new learning process began. He took a course from Satyanand Acting School in Vizag before learning from Aruna Bhikshu and Barry John. With the latter, it was a level-playing field where he was one among many aspiring actors. “Though we give an introduction that includes our family backgrounds, Barry John doesn’t take it into consideration. You get to know where you actually stand,” stands Tej.
Classes in martial arts and dance followed along with fitness and diet regime over two years to shed weight (he weighed 130 kilos at one point). He wants to do different genres, except horror. “I am scared; I don’t even watch horror movies,” he says.
In his growing years, he recalls watching at least one film a day with his maternal grandfather. “I’d read books and then watch the adaptations. I’ve spent hours analysing how I had imagined Lord of the Rings series to be and how it turned out on screen.”
Next up is a romantic comedy to be directed by Harish Shankar (of Gabbar Singh fame). “I knew Harish anna before Mirapakai days). Once, when I did a photo shoot I showed it to him casually. After seeing the trailer of Rey , he called and asked if I’d act in his film. Why wouldn’t I? It’s an honour to work with someone who has directed established actors,” says Tej.
Tej dreams to work with directors Shankar and Rajamouli in India and Michael Bay and Peter Jackson internationally. “There’s no harm in dreaming big,” he says with a wide grin.
