Vijay Deverakonda: Theatre gave me a platform to discover my passion
Synopsis
Before the stardom of Arjun Reddy, Vijay Deverakonda was simply chasing any stage that would have him. His candid reflection on theatre as the force that ‘unshackled’ him offers a rare window into the hunger behind one of Telugu cinema’s biggest names — and sets the tone for his most personal project yet, Ranabaali, opposite wife Rashmika Mandanna.
Key Takeaways
Vijay Deverakonda credits theatre with laying the foundation of his acting career and personal growth.
He described his early approach as grabbing ‘any opportunity to do anything’ rather than being selective about projects.
Deverakonda said theatre ‘unshackles you’ and ‘frees you up’ — a quality he considers central to his craft.
He will next appear alongside wife Rashmika Mandanna in the period drama Ranabaali , their first on-screen pairing as a married couple.
Ranabaali is reportedly inspired by real events from the 1850s allegedly misrepresented in British-era historical records.
His upcoming lineup also includes Janardhana and VDxShoryuv .
Tollywood star Vijay Deverakonda has opened up about how his early days in theatre were instrumental in shaping his identity as an actor, revealing that it was less about conscious career choices and more about seizing every available opportunity to grow.
Theatre as the Foundation
Reflecting on his formative years, Deverakonda said his approach was driven entirely by hunger for experience rather than selectivity. “I think it’s as much about what you like or what you want, it’s more about giving me any opportunity to do anything,” the Arjun Reddy actor said. He described his early mindset as one focused solely on honing his craft through any platform available to him.
“It was not a choice of mine, it was just like I needed any platform, any work to be able to better my craft and also to let people see you and your talent,” Deverakonda added, underscoring the urgency and openness that defined his early career.
What Theatre Did for Him
Deverakonda credited theatre with channelling his energy productively while helping him discover his passion at a young age. He described the experience as foundational — not just for his acting technique but for his personal development. In his own words, theatre “unshackles you in a way” and ultimately “frees you up.”
Notably, many of India’s most acclaimed screen actors — from Naseeruddin Shah to Nawazuddin Siddiqui — have similarly cited theatre as the crucible of their craft, suggesting Deverakonda’s path follows a well-worn but genuinely transformative tradition.
What’s Next: Ranabaali and Beyond
On the professional front, Deverakonda is set to share the screen with his wife, actor Rashmika Mandanna, in the upcoming period drama Ranabaali. The film marks their first on-screen collaboration as a married couple, having previously worked together in Geetha Govindam and Dear Comrade.
According to reports, Ranabaali is inspired by real incidents from the 1850s that reportedly did not make it into mainstream historical records. The film is expected to shed light on events that the British allegedly misrepresented in history, positioning it as both a commercial and culturally significant project.
Deverakonda’s upcoming slate also includes Janardhana and the tentatively titled VDxShoryuv, keeping the actor among the most active names in Telugu cinema heading into the next release cycle.
Point of View
Small productions, repeated rejection — rather than the launch-pad machinery that dominates Bollywood. What is worth watching is whether Ranabaali, his most ambitious project to date, translates that raw-stage energy into a mainstream period spectacle. The film’s premise — recovering suppressed 1850s history — also arrives at a moment when revisionist historical narratives are commercially potent in Indian cinema. The personal dimension of starring opposite his wife adds a layer of public interest that no PR campaign could manufacture.
NationPress
22 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did theatre help Vijay Deverakonda in his acting career?
Vijay Deverakonda has said theatre helped him channel his energy, discover his passion, and develop his craft at a young age. He described it as a platform that ‘unshackles you’ and ‘frees you up,’ crediting those early stage experiences with laying the foundation of his career.
What is Ranabaali about?
Ranabaali is an upcoming period drama reportedly inspired by real events from the 1850s that allegedly did not make it into mainstream historical records. The film is said to revisit incidents the British allegedly misrepresented in history.
Who is Vijay Deverakonda starring with in Ranabaali?
Deverakonda stars alongside his wife, actor Rashmika Mandanna, in Ranabaali. It is their first on-screen collaboration as a married couple, following earlier films Geetha Govindam and Dear Comrade.
What other films does Vijay Deverakonda have coming up?
Beyond Ranabaali, Deverakonda’s confirmed upcoming projects include Janardhana and the tentatively titled VDxShoryuv, keeping him among the busiest actors in Telugu cinema.
What did Vijay Deverakonda say about his early career mindset?
Deverakonda said his early focus was not on choosing specific projects but on grabbing any opportunity available. ‘It was not a choice of mine, it was just like I needed any platform, any work to be able to better my craft and also to let people see you and your talent,’ he said.
