I call Prakash Raj daddy: Tejus

Actor Tejus hopes that his upcoming film Ketugadu will help cement his position in the industry.

“I don’t want to say that this film is a completely new genre or that I am trying something new. This is  typical Telugu commercial cinema with loads of entertainment,” says the actor.

Tejus had debuted with Prakash Raj’s Ulavacharu Biryani. “It was a great experience and I learnt so many things from him. For this film too, Prakash Raj encouraged me a lot. He has seen it and has appreciated my work,” he says.

Born and brought up in Hyderabad, Tejus completed his schooling from Hyderabad Public School. “I have been passionate about films since I was a child. After watching a film as a kid, I would play the same character at home, in front of my mother,” says Tejus.

Due to his passion for films, he discontinued his Engineering in the third year and joined an acting school. “I couldn’t concentrate on studies as my mind was totally into films. So I discontinued my studies and joined Kishore Namit Kapoor Acting Institute in Mumbai for a six-month course,” he says. He then got a chance to work with director Teja. “I like his work. Though people say he is one of the toughest directors, I decided to work with him. I requested him to take me on board for Neeku Naaku Dash Dash, and he agreed,” adds Tejus. He worked as an assistant director in the film and says that it was a great learning experience.

“Teja sir used to assign the job of teaching the dialogues and modulation to the lead pair to me. It actually helped me a lot,” he says.

One day, producer K.S. Rama Rao, who is a family friend, asked Tejus to meet Prakash Raj for his film Ulavacharu Biryani. “After I completed the film with Teja, I met Prakash Raj and gave my portfolio. He didn’t even see my photos… he spoke to me for a few minutes and told me that I would be the lead actor in his film. I didn’t believe him immediately as many had told me the same before. But after I reached home, Prakash Raj called and confirmed again,” reveals Tejus, adding, “Since then I am very close to Prakash Raj. I used to call him daddy. He is always there for me.”

His debut film released in Tamil and Kannada apart from Telugu. “I got many offers in Tamil, but I want to prove myself in Telugu first,” he says.

He also signed a Kannada film after his debut. “Prakash Raj suggested that I do the Kannada film as the director, Dinesh Babu, is very big in Kannada. That film will release in a month or so,” says Tejus.

In Ketugadu, Chandini is making her debut as female lead opposite Tejus. “She is a Telugu girl who has acted in a few short films. The shooting went smoothly. As she is a Telugu girl, we didn’t need to teach her the dialogues, their meanings or give her special classes. She is very nice and will get a good break with this film,” he says.

Ketugadu is actually the title of one of Mohan Babu’s old films. Explaining why they were reusing the title, Tejus says, “At that time, Ketugadu had given Mohan Babu sir a huge break and I hope the same happens for me too.”