Nephew of Chiranjeevi, Nagababu and Pawan Kalyan, Tej signed and acted in his first film Rey helmed by YVS Chowdary.
However, Rey did not see the light of the day and young aspiring actor's second film Pilla Nuvvuleni Jeevitham (PNJ) is going to be released today.
Sai Dharam Tej speaks to Radhika Rajamani about the film a head of its release.
You hail from the mega family with your cousins and uncles into acting. Was there any pressure on you to join films?
I did my BSc in Biotechnology and later, MBA.
I was confused about what I should do. I spent a lot of sleepless nights thinking if I will fit into a 9-to-5 job.
I didn't want to see myself in that space. It was disturbing.
I wanted a wider canvas. I can play any role from a doctor to a tea vendor to a business tycoon as an actor if I got into acting. There was no pressure from anyone. It was my decision.
Did you do any theatre in school or college?
I did but not to the extent of getting into acting. I played one of the rishis in Sakuntala while I was in school.
Once you decided to be an actor, why did you take formal training under Satyanand and Aruna Bhikshu?
Yes.
I also learnt under Barry John. You need to learn to evolve. Acting is a learning process. One learns new things to get deep into the characters. Then you know how to emote and perform. I went through the formal training to discover more about myself and to emote better.
In fact I will go to Lee Strasberg to learn acting and also to L A to learn stunts.
Did you learn dancing too?
My mother is a classical dancer (Kathakali and Bharatanatyam) and I used to see her and try doing it. She has been an influence. While at school in Chennai, I learnt a bit of Bharatanatyam. So, my body is moulded to dance.
How did your uncles support you in your decision to act?
All my uncles have played a crucial role in my life. Whatever I needed (in terms of sports or arts) till I shifted to Hyderabad, Naga Babu uncle ensured it. Once I shifted to Hyderabad from class VIII onwards till I finished my degree, Chiranjeevi uncle took care. He always enquired about what I did and when I was studying Biotechnology, he used to ask me about what I wanted to do further.
When the career question came up, Kalyan (Pawan Kalyan) stepped in. So, each of them has been supportive at different stages. They all gave me their blessings and told me “Take care of your producer and do what the director asks you to do. This was a fundamental thing.
How did your first film Rey happen?
I was playing cricket at a friend’s place and YVS Chowdary came up and asked me ‘Will you be a cinema hero?’ I told him my family is looking into the matter. He asked who my family is and I told him I am Chiranjeevi’s nephew. So Chowdhary then went to Kalyan and told him I will launch your nephew and I want you to hear the script. My uncle Kalyan then told him to narrate it to me. Then he narrated the story of Rey to me.
Rey has been in the cans for a while but your second film Pilla Nuvvuleni Jevitham is releasing today (November 14). Did you not feel disheartened and disappointed? How did you pull yourself through this low phase?
I was disheartened. I learnt how life is and also about the industry. I learnt to be a fighter and lyricist Seetharama Sastry garu’s lyrics were powerful enough to inspire me and help me pull out. Of course the family support also helped.
How did you sign your second film Pilla Nuvvuleni Jeevitham?
I was shooting for Rey and Dil Raju garu called me and told me, there is a film called Kerintha and he would like me to act in this three-hero film. Raju garu took my audition for Kerintha. Around that time, the teaser of Rey released. After seeing that Raju garu felt Kerintha might not be the right film for me and I would suit Pilla Nuvvuleni Jeevitham better as the story sittings were on for that film.
So Bunny Vas and Aravind Garu (Geetha Arts) saw that audition and took me in PNJ.
How did you feel when you were offered PNJ?
I was shocked. It was a morale booster.
It is like in any other love story. Only the way it unfolds (the screenplay) is different.
Could you talk about your role? Did you have to prepare for the role?
In Rey I played a Telugu guy raised in Jamaica and so all the Afro accent was there. I had to unlearn for PNJ all that I learnt in Rey. I play a boy next door.
How was Regina to act with?
She is a sweetheart and a bubbly person. The first few days we were pretty formal with each other and later the comfort level was there. We jelled well.
What is interesting about this film?
It is a typical love story -- the way it unfolds is interesting. The story revolves around the heroine.
How do you feel now that the release is near?
I am quite excited and anxious too. I gave got an overwhelming response from people and that is exciting.
Is there a baggage you carry as you belong to the mega family?
I would say it's a responsibility. If I look at as baggage, there will be more tension. The greater the power, the more responsibility you have. I concentrate on film, the shot and the shoot.