“Arts and literature have been my passion for as long as I can remember. I was always involved in cultural activities-mono acts, skits, poetry and stage performances right from my schooling years.

I grew up in Khammam, Telangana, in a humble family background. My father worked as a government employee, and my mother managed the household. Education was always a priority, but I also explored my passion for the media. I worked as a local TV news reader, voiceover artist, and anchor for stage shows and events.

Slowly, I ventured into theatre, character roles, and writing. 

Currently, I’m pursuing a PhD in Telugu literature from Osmania University, focusing on the lives and representation of women authors from Telangana. The question of whether the voices of women around me, like my mother and neighbours, were being heard in literature drives my research. 

Theatre and dramas were a game changer for me. Unlike TV, there were no retakes-just me, the stage, and the audience. Raw, real, and exactly where I felt at home. The road hasn’t been easy, especially since the entertainment industry wasn’t something my family envisioned for me. But I pushed forward. 

Cinema came next-small character roles, voice-over work and I found my place. My voice felt like a tool to tell stories and capture attention. 

Though there were moments of doubt, I reminded myself of the independence I gained early on, balancing work and responsibilities. That confidence has kept me moving forward. 

Now, I balance my PhD, theatre, anchoring, films, and voice-over work. Some may say I do too much, but to me, it’s all one journey that started with a love for voices and led to a woman finding her own.

– Tejaswi, PhD student, Osmania University

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