“I have always been that kid who loved being on stage. Whether it was Children’s Day, Teacher’s Day, or Annual Day at school, I was there performing, dancing, or acting. That excitement slowly grew into something bigger when I discovered theatre.
In 2020, I decided to give acting my all. I trained at Nibha Theatre in Hyderabad under Nasreen Ma’am, then at Adi Shakti in Puducherry, followed by training with Prasanna Hegde in Mysuru and Venu Ji, a Koodiyattam artist in Kerala. Each experience shaped my craft in different ways and showed me how theatre is not just about performance but about discipline, culture, and connection.
I have performed in plays like A Doll’s House, Silence Please at Rangabhoomi, and an adaptation of The Seagull. Every performance reminds me that theatre is still alive and relevant because it brings people together and tells stories that reflect our lives.
Cinema felt like a natural step. I debuted with Stand Up Rahul in 2022 and went on to work in several movies like Modern Love Hyderabad, Dhoota, Dheera, Sea of Love, and You and I. I played my first lead in a Telugu film directed by a woman filmmaker about two girls who stumble upon a box of gold. Each role has been a new challenge and a chance to grow.
Before acting, I worked as an IT engineer at Amazon. Choosing to leave that path during the pandemic was not easy, but there is no set template for how a career should unfold. For me, this was the right choice.
My family has been my strongest support. My mother’s love for films often reflects in her feedback, while my father keeps me practical about the realities of the industry. Cinema has its challenges, from beauty standards to biases, but I have been fortunate to work with filmmakers who see authenticity above all.
I admire actors like Irrfan Khan, Naseeruddin Shah among many others whose honesty in every role inspires me to stay true to my craft. If there is one thing I have learned, it is this: keep training, trust your instincts, and never hesitate to choose the path that feels true to you.”
— Tejoy Bhattaru