Two days after the release of your Telugu film EmpireDirected by Gautam Tinnuri, Vijay Devarakonda is still taking in response. He has yet to watch the film in theaters, but is a game to answer questions about plot points during a media interaction.
When he settled for this interview, he becomes clear about high and climbing in his career. Edited excerpt from conversation:
What is your state of mind right now? Is it immersed in success?
I think it will take some time. I fully understood Geeta Govindam Success only one year ago. After this, I did not understand all the things about the collection and asked Vasu and others who became the creator, whether it was a hit. About a year ago when I saw some footage of promotion and how the film attracted the audience, it drowned. Rashmika (Mandanna) and I talked about it and said, “We should have enjoyed it at that time”. It is too late to seven years. He called me yesterday and said, “I hope you are enjoying the reception ( Empire),
Taxi Doed quite well, and Dear comrade Was appreciated over time. But is Empire After your biggest hit Geeta Govindam?
it is certainly. Empire I have given the deep love of the audience again. Kushi It was also opened well, but we all felt that the ‘conflict point’ between the couple – a believer and the other as an atheist – was resolved very quickly. This could be further discovered for emotional relations with the audience. Shiva Nirvana (director) was eager to go into his quarrel when he had a child. It was a creative call. It was difficult to do justice at that time.
In the last seven years, when your films did not work as expected, how did you pick up yourself?
I give every film my best. And I have asked why God, or why you cannot do, can take my side. I had a sleepless night. It is thicker when the world is sleeping at night when the world is sleeping and you are alone, with a racing mind. This has happened to me in the last two to three years. But I woke up the next morning, hit the gym and prepare for my next film. First Kingdom Release, I knew that whatever results, I need to give my 100% when I start making a film for Rahul Sankritya’s film on 4 August.
Vijay Devarakonda | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
After the great success of Palei ChopuluDirector Tharun Bhaskar said he suffered an nervous attack and faced an imposter syndrome, weighed with all appreciation. Did you face a similar situation after seeing both high and climb?
When Tharu told me what he was doing, I did not understand this. I found it absurd and as a dear friend, he would ask him to enjoy success. How to reach my focus in the next stage – dance dance, horse riding, fitter …
Arjun Reddy Was built within a budget of 5 crores. Sandeep (Reddy Wanga) and I traveled to Italy with a four -member team. There was no crew, caravan, makeup or hairdresser. We did bare minimum. This idea was about what we could do with better features or large crews.
After tasting success and achieving these features, it was disappointing when I could not see the desired results on the screen for all the efforts in a film. The thing that bothers me further is not able to live my ability.
People change in large numbers in the early days of your films. They are viewers in various age groups. Have you thought that people are ready for your films despite failures?
I don’t know But this audience and their love are very important to me. I did my first few films to survive, I had the opportunity to earn some money and get another opportunity. Now I do not want people to lose faith in me.
For example, I can watch any Leonardo Dicaprio film. I do not like a strange film, but I will still watch his films with the intention of describing some of their performances and quality.
Similarly, when people watch my poster and come to see a film, I do not want them to be disappointed. My problem is that I am a man in a crowd. I have no patience for a slow journey.
Did you prepare to become an actor or star? Did it turn over in years?
I have a bad memory, so I don’t remember much. A dear friend who was 20 years old, I know, I was told much later that I said, ‘I am going to be an actor; Not just an actor, but the biggest actor. ‘This was when I was doing theater. She was worried about me and further journey.
At the time of Palei ChopuluThruun and I wanted to ensure that the film earns some money. The film was completed within ₹ 60 lakh. We hoped that if it earns one crore, then we can take a salary of ₹ 10 lakh each. We hoped to make a film within one crore in a year, and encouraged the aspiring directors.
Changed after plan Arjun Reddy And Geeta Govindam Made a hit hit. The feeling of love is addictive and dangerous. Now my idea is to find greatness and find a balance between being happy. It is conflicting. Sometimes I want to be great at the cost of being happy. At other times, I wonder what is the matter of being a huge star if I am sad. I want to be happy with my loved ones and enjoy the work done by me.
When I am 60 years old, I want to be considered a respected actor of my time, who has also seen crazy stardom; But I do not want to be a sad star, thinking what I did beyond the film release and tracking numbers with my life.
Published – 02 August, 2025 07:02 pm IST
