“My name is Aravind A.V. I grew up in Bhojya Thanda, a small tribal hamlet near Medaram in Telangana. My parents were farmers, and our family moved from village to village for work. By the time I finished school, I had lived in nearly five villages. That constant moving brought uncertainty, but it taught me responsibility and made me want to build something lasting.
In school, I worked as a paperboy every morning to pay for my studies. In the evenings, I read leftover newspapers and magazines, especially Telugu translations. I read with curiosity, and editorials became my classroom. Most of my earnings went into buying books, and reading became my window to the world beyond my village.
For higher education, I moved to Haliya and stayed in a government hostel. To continue my studies, I took up any work I could find—catering at functions, dressing as a mascot, or working night shifts in a rice mill. I also supported my family. I became the first in my family to graduate, completing a B.A. in History and Political Science from Miryalaguda.
Later, I moved to Hyderabad, completed my post-graduation in Mass Communication and Journalism, and ran the college magazine. Meeting director Anudeep K.V. opened the door to cinema. I contributed to several short films and projects before becoming an Associate Director for the film Kubera. When the movie released and my parents saw my name in the title credits on the big screen, it became one of their proudest moments.
Cinema, photography, travel, and literature are part of my life. I carry my parents’ initials in my name — Aravind A.V. (Anjamma, Venkatayya). I also share my thoughts at literary and cultural platforms and have spoken twice at the Book Brahma Literature Festival. From humble beginnings to major film sets, my journey has been built on books, travel, and a constant desire to learn.
Today, my book of 90s kids musings is launching, and it feels like a full circle moment.”