Pellichoopulu at 10: Vijay Deverakonda calls director Tharun Bhascker a 'precious soul'
Synopsis
Ten years after Pellichoopulu changed his life, Vijay Deverakonda went back to where it all started — with raw honesty. His X tribute to director Tharun Bhascker Dhaassyam is less a celebrity post and more a confession: that the film gave a ‘rebellious young boy’ permission to believe in himself, and that the weight of stardom since has only deepened that debt.
Key Takeaways
Vijay Deverakonda posted an emotional tribute on X marking 10 years of Pellichoopulu on 30 July .
He called director Tharun Bhascker Dhaassyam a ‘precious soul’ and said the film gave him the strength to believe in his dreams.
Deverakonda thanked co-star Ritu Varma , composer Vivek Sagar , and producers Yash Big Ben and Raj Kandukuri .
He acknowledged that he has changed since the film, writing: ‘I feel the weight on my shoulders… I feel different.’ Ritu Varma also independently marked the film’s 10th anniversary with her own tribute post.
Actor Vijay Deverakonda marked the 10th anniversary of the beloved Telugu romantic comedy Pellichoopulu with an emotional tribute on X, calling director Tharun Bhascker Dhaassyam a ‘precious soul’ and crediting the film as a turning point that gave him the courage to dream. The post, shared on 30 July, quickly resonated with fans who had grown up with the film.
What Vijay Deverakonda Wrote
In his heartfelt note, Deverakonda reflected on the weight of a decade passing since the film’s release. “Ten years. Something feels very strange about reading that 10 years ago, we all met in the theatres,” he wrote, adding that the day “gave a young free rebellious boy an acknowledgment and strength… that he wasn’t a fool to dream or believe.”
He reserved his most personal lines for the director: “Tharun. I miss you so much man…and love you so dearly. I am so proud of you and blessed to have made this film with you and you are one precious soul.”
Gratitude to the Full Team
Deverakonda extended his affection to the entire cast and crew, naming co-star Ritu Varma, actress Preyadarshe, and composer Vivek Sagar, along with team members Abhay and Nagesh. He also singled out producers Yash Big Ben and Raj Kandukuri, who backed the project when, as he put it, “everyone rejected us.”
“I send you all my biggest hugs and love. And to our heroes and producers — who took a bet on us when everyone rejected us — it meant a lot,” he wrote.
A Candid Reflection on Growing Up
The post took a more introspective turn as Deverakonda acknowledged how much he has changed since those early days. “Today I am no longer the free young boy I was then. Life is full but I feel the weight on my shoulders… I feel different,” he said. He closed with a pledge to lead with sincerity: “From here on everything I do is all heart because no other metric matters.”
Ritu Varma Also Marks the Milestone
Deverakonda was not alone in the tribute. Ritu Varma, who played the female lead opposite him, also shared a heartfelt post commemorating the film’s 10-year milestone, underscoring the enduring bond the cast and crew share with the project.
Released in 2016, Pellichoopulu became a landmark in contemporary Telugu cinema, praised for its naturalistic performances and fresh storytelling. A decade on, its emotional pull clearly remains undiminished for those who made it.
Point of View
But Deverakonda’s stands apart for what it admits rather than celebrates. The line ‘I feel the weight on my shoulders’ from an actor at the peak of his commercial career is a rare public acknowledgement that stardom and freedom do not always travel together. Pellichoopulu’s 10-year resonance also says something about Telugu cinema’s appetite for intimate, character-driven stories — a lane that has since been crowded out by big-budget spectacle. The film’s anniversary is as much a reminder of what the industry made room for once, as it is a celebration of what it produced.
NationPress
31 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Vijay Deverakonda post about Pellichoopulu on 30 July?
Vijay Deverakonda posted on X to mark the 10th anniversary of Pellichoopulu, the Telugu film that launched his career alongside director Tharun Bhascker Dhaassyam and actress Ritu Varma. He described the film as a defining moment that gave him the courage to pursue his dreams.
What did Vijay Deverakonda say about director Tharun Bhascker?
Deverakonda called Tharun Bhascker Dhaassyam a ‘precious soul’ in his post, saying he missed him and was proud of him. He credited the director as central to the experience that shaped his early career.
Who else did Vijay Deverakonda thank in his anniversary post?
He thanked co-star Ritu Varma, actress Preyadarshe, composer Vivek Sagar, and team members Abhay and Nagesh. He also specifically acknowledged producers Yash Big Ben and Raj Kandukuri for backing the film when others had rejected it.
When was Pellichoopulu originally released?
Pellichoopulu was released in 2016 and became a landmark in Telugu cinema, praised for its naturalistic storytelling and performances. It marked a breakthrough for both Vijay Deverakonda and director Tharun Bhascker Dhaassyam.
Did Ritu Varma also mark the Pellichoopulu anniversary?
Yes, Ritu Varma, who played the female lead in the film, also shared a separate heartfelt post commemorating the 10th anniversary of Pellichoopulu, reflecting the strong bond the cast and crew continue to share.
