While a couple of them — like Akhil and Santosh Soban — have been doing films back to back, they are running out of luck.
Success seems a distant dream for a few young heroes In Tollywood. (Facebook)
A sizeable number of young heroes in the Telugu film industry are waiting to get a hit.
The industry folks are aware that the production house is investing in the actor rather than the story. While it does take a long time for them to find their path, there is a dire need for youngsters to exercise patience and caution during the selection of scripts.
For, if their movie turns out to be a dud, no tier-two hero or producer will touch them with a barge pole. Their brand value will only drop and they’ll not be considered even for the inauguration of commercial stores.
To start with, Akhil Akkineni debuted as a protagonist with Akhil in 2015. He did five more films later on, Agent directed by Surender Reddy being the latest. But he has not even a single success to boast of.
Gouravam (2013) launched Allu Sirish in Tollywood. But even the backing of his family (being the son of producer Allu Aravind and brother of Allu Arjun) didn’t help him win the hearts of the audience. He was last seen in Urvasivo Rakshasivo (2022).
The same applies to Abhiram Daggubati, who made his debut this year with Ahimsa, directed by Teja. He failed to make a mark.
Anand Devarakonda is not an extraordinary talent but he knows his limitations and strengths. He is trying to play within the boundaries, which is a decent move.
He makes good choices — whether the movies worked or not is a different issue — but he stuck to his kind of stories. In an interview with South First, he stated that mass movies are not his forte. But after a delivering few flops, he surprised all and struck gold with Baby, directed by Sai Rajesh.
When Pushpaka Vimanam (2021) didn’t do well, the actor and his team reportedly had a brainstorming discussion as to what sort of stories he needed to select next. And the result is Baby!
Anand’s co-hero in Baby, Viraj Ashwin is yet to find his space and show his versatility. He is famous for his short film Manasanamaha which entered the Guinness Book of World Records by clinching 513 awards in various international film festivals
Later, the actor entered filmdom with Ananganaga O Prema Katha (2018) and followed it up with Thank You Brother (2012) and Mayapetika (2023), all of which didn’t do well at the box office.
Many youngsters are going to workshops abroad to improve themselves, and for better opportunities.
Santosh Soban doesn’t seem to have a story sense. They are yet to figure out what works for them. He might realise what quality is if he keeps increasing the quantum of films.
Santosh has acted in 10 films since his debut as lead actor in 2015 with Thanu Nenu. But nothing worked except Ek Mini Katha (2021). Well, he debuted as a child actor in Golconda High School (20111) and later did a supporting role in Bangaru Kodipetta (2014).
He appeared in four releases this year — Kalyanam Kamaneeyam, Sridevi Shoban Babu, Anni Manchi Sakunamule, and Prem Kumar.
And now, his sibling Sangeeth Soban is all set to venture into films with Prema Vimanam.
Roshann Meka’s up-and-coming Vrushabha starring Mohanlal is a pan-Indian film and the shoot is in progress. His actor-father Srikanth wants his son to work with the big banners; his views probably stem from his vast experience in Telugu cinema.
His debut Pelli SandaD (2021) alongside Sreeleela helped the latter more.
Roshann is also doing Champion with Vyjayanthi Movies. It is directed by Pradeep Advaitham. The result will decide if he is more than a handsome, blue-eyed boy.
Teja Sajja’s movies are by far the best. Though he did a supporting role in Samantha’s Oh! Baby (2019), the actor cemented his position in the industry with Zombie Reddy (2021).
With Ishq (2021), he realised that he couldn’t fit into mass roles. He is now waiting for Prasanth Varma’s Hanuman to hit the marquee in 2024. Hanuman has already created a positive buzz among audiences.
There are actors like Vaisshnav Tej whose careers are watched closely. After the National Award-winning Uppena (2021), which launched him as a lead actor, Vaisshnav did Konda Polam (2021) and Ranga Ranga Vaibhavanga (2022) which turned turkey at the box office.
Will he fare better or written off as a one-film wonder is to be seen!
September will see the release of Miss Shetty Mr Polishetty, the most-awaited film of Naveen Polishetty who waited long enough after Jathi Ratnalu (2021). Naveen will be seen as a stand-up comedian in the flick.
The actor is starring alongside Anushka Shetty. Directed by Mahesh Babu P, the film is produced by UV Creations.
Bellamkonda Ganesh made his entry post the advent of the OTT and when the hype for celebrities died down. He didn’t have the advantage of huge publicity like his sibling Bellamkonda Srinivas who acted alongside top stars.
Producer MS Raju, who is known for being gifted with the knowledge of what works for his films at one point failed with his son Sumant Ashwin. Ditto with producer Lagadapati Sridhar’s son Vikram.
However, producer Dil Raju’s nephew Ashish Reddy got pass marks though his film Rowdy Boys (2022) failed miserably.
Apr 27, 2024
Apr 27, 2024
Apr 27, 2024
Apr 27, 2024
Apr 27, 2024
Apr 26, 2024
