Film commentators say that Ravi Teja doesn’t chase “young hero” images anymore.
Ravi Teja turns a year older on January 26. The tag “Mass Maharaja” still fits, although he recently dropped it for an unstated reason. He might go back to the tag once an action movie script embraces him.
His recent films show a clear pattern. He wants scale and speed. And he wants to entertain without apology. Krack set the tone. It was raw. The cop role felt tailor-made. Ravi Teja looked fully in charge. The swagger was back. The box office responded instantly. It was the first major Tollywood hit after the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Dhamaka was a full-blown commercial riot with punchy one-liners and high-energy songs. Ravi Teja leaned into it. No pretence. No restraint. The result was one of the biggest hits of his career. Directed by Trinadha Rao Nakkina, it co-starred Sreeleela, who would later act in his Mass Jatara.
Bhartha Mahasayulaku Wignyapthi added another tick to that list. A festive entertainer that travelled well across centres this Sankranthi, it showed comfort with newer storytelling rhythms. Directed by Kishore Tirumala, the film has boosted Ravi Teja's commercial appeal amid stiff competition at the BO.
Film commentators say that Ravi Teja doesn’t chase “young hero” images anymore. He adjusts roles, and tweaks body language. But the energy stays intact.
It’s easy to forget his experimental phase. Films like Neninthe, Khadgam and Itlu Sravani Subrahmanyam remind us of another Ravi Teja. They weren't mass cinema. Today, Ravi Teja stands at an interesting point. He balances mass films with calculated risks.
Here is wishing the star hero a happy birthday!
