“I’m Chaitanya Sagiraju, and I’m an actor. But before facing the camera, it was chess, dance, and a quiet urge to be seen.

I was born in Bhimavaram and raised in Gudivada. Summers meant going back to Bhimavaram. No phones, just cousins, games, and endless imagination. That ’90s childhood gave me the space to explore and stay curious.

My grandfather introduced me to chess. By fourth grade, I told my parents I wanted to take it seriously. I went on to play four nationals and won an open tournament in Narayanapuram. More than the trophies, it was the recognition that made me feel seen.

At the same time, I loved dancing. School days, college fests—I was always on stage. Chess sharpened my focus, dance gave me confidence. Both gave me a way to express myself.

After B.Tech, I worked an IT job in Bangalore. On weekends, I’d take overnight buses to Hyderabad, shoot short films, and head back before Monday. I did this until 2015, then moved to Hyderabad. In 2017, I was benched. I took a leap, quit the job, and trusted the process. My parents were silently anxious, but they never stopped me. They’ve always encouraged me to follow what I love.Then came the auditions.

Most ended with “we’ll let you know,” but one got me HIT: The First Case. I played Rohit. On day one, someone said, “Next is Chaitanya’s close-up.” That moment changed something. I wasn’t trying to be an actor anymore—I was there.

A Deccan Chronicle review said, “For a debutant, he performs like a veteran.” It felt like someone had seen the years behind that moment.

Since then, I’ve acted in Jhansi, Adi Keshava, Saindhav, Bhoothaddam Bhaskar Narayana, Bahishkarana, and two unreleased leads—Pranam and Life is a Game. Right Now, I am waiting for the release of The India House. It feels like the next leap.

I still see myself as a struggler—not because I’m not working, but because I’ve got goals I haven’t reached yet. Still showing up, one audition, one scene, one silent spark at a time.”