“I grew up in Vijayawada, in a simple environment where my world was limited to school, home, and my village. The film industry was never on my radar. During my 10th grade, I began to realize how much more there was to life beyond my small circle. I used to be a shy person, often feeling an inferiority complex. But that feeling eventually became my strength—it made me focus harder on my goals and put in the extra effort to improve myself.
My journey into acting started unexpectedly during my final year of B.Tech. One day, I came across a Facebook post about auditions for a short film. It was a society-oriented project, and they were looking for actors. Out of curiosity, I decided to give it a try. I went for the shoot with some friends, and all they asked me to do were a few simple walking shots. I didn’t think much of it, but after the short film was released, someone who watched it reached out to me.
That person offered me a lead role in another short film called ‘Love Recruitment and No Vacancy.’ During the shoot, I had to deliver a dialogue about love. I felt such a strong connection to that line that I gave it my all. When the film was released, my friends praised my performance, and that moment made me realize how much I loved acting.
From then on, I started taking acting seriously. I acted in around 30-40 short films and participated in stage plays while still in Vijayawada. I’ve always been passionate about movies. Growing up, I used to watch films in different languages—Telugu, Hindi, and more. While my friends enjoyed the stories, I was always drawn to the characters. I would observe their emotions, their mannerisms, and the way they carried themselves. I didn’t know it at the time, but I think that’s where my interest in acting began.
In late 2017, I decided to move to Hyderabad to explore acting opportunities. I didn’t know anyone in the industry or how things worked. I watched interviews of actors to understand their journeys. I started attending auditions in Hyderabad.
At first, it was tough to enter into the films not having any connections. I faced rejections because I didn’t know how to prepare for auditions. Slowly, I learned to rehearse scripts beforehand and plan my performances. This approach helped me get through auditions and land small roles. I started with background characters and minor parts, but I treated each role seriously. I made it a point to understand the scene-what happened before and after-to make my performance more convincing.
Directors began noticing my work, and eventually, I got roles with dialogues. My recent big breakthrough came with ‘Pottelu’ movie. I had earlier worked on a cover song with the lead actor of that film. My performance in that cover song caught the attention of the director, and I was offered a role. That was a major milestone for me. I played an important character ‘Bheemdu’ in the movie starring Ananya Nagalla. Each project has been a learning experience for me, and it feels rewarding to see my hard work pay off.
My childhood wasn’t very exciting. Growing up in Vijayawada, I didn’t have much exposure to the outside world. But I’ve always been curious and eager to learn. I used to watch a lot of movies, and even now, I make it a point to watch at least one film every day, no matter how busy I am. I believe there’s something to learn from every actor-whether it’s a lead role or a supporting character.
One film that had a huge impact on me was Kamal Haasan’s Dasavatharam. The variety of roles and the depth of storytelling left a lasting impression on me. It inspired me to explore different types of characters and push myself as an actor.
I enjoy all genres, but I’m especially drawn to thrillers, suspense, fantasy, and sci-fi. I like stories that are character-driven because they allow me to explore different emotions and layers.
A major turning point in my life was leaving my job in Vijayawada. I was working at Lenovo Company and had a chance to be promoted from team leader to manager. But by then, I had made up my mind to pursue acting. It was a tough decision, but my family supported me. With their encouragement, I resigned and moved to Hyderabad.
My journey in the film industry has its share of highs and lows. From facing rejections in auditions to learning how to navigate the industry, it hasn’t been easy. But every experience has taught me something and helped me grow, both as an actor and as a person.
To anyone who wants to turn their passion into a profession, my advice is to maintain balance. Be responsible towards your family while following your dreams. Convince them with your dedication and show them your commitment. Work hard, stay consistent, and believe in yourself. If you do that, success will follow.”
- Vikram Mahadev, Actor, Performer