Sai Dharam Tej is one more actor from the mega family to enter films. His first film Rey hasn’t yet seen the light of day, but his second film Pilla Nuvvuleni Jeevitham is hitting the screens on November 14. The actor is tense about his first release and how the audience will receive it.
“I signed this film, when I was shooting Rey, my first film. Producer Dil Raju auditioned me for another film Kerintha and showed it to director Ravi Kumar Chowdhary and Allu Aravind uncle. They were impressed with it and decided to cast me in Pilla Nuvvuleni Jeevitham,” says Sai Dharam Tej.
From his childhood, Sai has been closely watching his three uncles. “I have grown up watching films of my three uncles. They took care of my education and other things,” says Sai. “From childhood, my uncles have been an integral part of my life. They have always encouraged me and were interested in my education and other activities,” he recalls.
Before trying his hand at acting, Sai completed his B.Sc in bio-technology and after that he completed his MBA. “I didn’t want to do a nine-to-five job, as I wanted to be on my own. So I opted for acting, I can play any character I like and it’s a multiple dimension profession,” he says. “I joined the Satyanand School in Vizag and also Barry John in Mumbai. Then I also took classes from Aruna Bikshu.” Sai learnt martial arts, gymnastics and dancing as well.
One day, when he was playing cricket with friends, director Y.V.S. Choudhary approached him for his film, “I told him that I would have to check with my elders.” When the director discovered that Sai was Chiranjeevi’s nephew, he approached Pawan Kalyan for permission. “Everybody encouraged me, but they also cautioned me that I would have to work hard,” he says.
Though his first film hasn’t released yet, Sai feels that the exposure he got for the film, has helped him in his second film. “Both the directors interacted with me and explained how they wanted me to perform. They never put any pressure on me,” he says.
The actor says that he is also not under any pressure from the fans about mannerisms. “I come from the same family and definitely a few expressions or gestures may resemble those of my uncles. I think it’s a blessing for me and nothing to worry about. Their genes are in me,” he says.
When asked if Pawan Kalyan or Chiranjeevi financially supported him for his debut film? “It’s totally Y.V.S Choudhary who directed and produced the film. Pawan Kalyan and Chiranjeevi were not involved in the film in any way,” he says.
He added that he doesn’t want to comment on when the film will see the light. “I am confident that the film will release soon and Y.V.S Choudhary is the right person to talk about it,” he says.
Sai had a setback when he started his second film. During the shooting of his second film, suddenly actor Srihari passed away. “For two days, I sat at home, I didn’t talk to anybody and wondered why my career was going this way.
Then I got the inspiration from a song written by Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry garu. It gave me a lot of strength,” he says. The producers decided to start shooting again and Jagapathi Babu stepped in.
“He is a senior actor and it was a great work experience for me. Initially, I was a bit scared, but he put in all his experience. It was wonderful and we completed the film,” says Sai.
All the family members meet once a week for lunch or dinner. “We don’t discuss films at home, as we discuss many other things. Like any other family, we too meet and talk,” he says.
