Fuelled by the phenomenal success of his pan-India blockbuster, Hanu-Man, Teja Sajja has entered the Telugu New Year riding a wave. The superhero film has propelled the 28-year-old former child actor to national fame, and he’s determined to solidify his position as a bankable star while showcasing his diverse acting range.
“I just want to build credibility with the audience that if a Teja Sajja film is coming out, they should be entertained and want to watch it. That’s where I want to see myself. Even without talking about the film, people should be drawn to it because of me. Building that trust takes more than just one or two hits,” he says.
Teja Sajja takes on another pan-India project
The actor has already begun shooting for another pan-India project. “Thankfully, Hanu-Man’s success has broadened my audience reach and allowed for bigger budgets. However, with each project, I understand the importance of starting anew, putting in the hard work, and consistently exceeding expectations,” he explains, adding, “It’s an action film with a universal theme, offering a unique perspective and a world all its own. We’ll announce it soon with a teaser. While it wasn’t the initial plan, the script resonated so strongly that this next project is shaping up to be another pan-India release.”
Teja has a clear target audience in mind. “I want to make films for a larger section of the family audience and especially for kids. That’s my primary motive.” he reveals, adding, “Even going back to Oh! Baby, where I wasn’t even the lead, all my films have been very child friendly. Hanu-Man is no exception – a clean film perfect for families to enjoy and discuss together.”
“Films are all I do, full-time,” he admits. “When I’m not shooting, I’m probably devouring series or movies for hours on end. Or I’m meeting with industry friends. Maybe because I’ve always been around people much older throughout my childhood, I connect well with directors and producers. We’re constantly discussing films, trying to understand the industry better.”
I want to do films that will cater to family audiences and kids — Teja Sajja