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Bollywood rolls out the red carpet for Vijay Deverakonda
Shah Rukh Khan was the start of it all. When Vijay Deverakonda was a small child living in a humble neighbourhood in Hyderabad, he stumbled upon an SRK interview and overheard the actor refer to himself as “the last superstar.” The aspirant had optimism since Khan, who came from a middle-class Delhi family, had been able to enter the exclusive Hindi film industry, which is infamous for its nepotistic culture. You have no idea how motivated I was by Shah Rukh Khan’s achievement. It made it very clear to me that I could do it too if he could. There is only one successful individual you need to use as an example.
Whether it’s his gruff charisma or his film preferences, the actor seems to pop up everywhere all of a sudden. Bollywood seems to have rolled out the red carpet for the actor’s entrance, from Ranveer Singh launching the trailer of Deverakonda’s newest movie Liger (for which he arrived in chappals, a stark contrast to Ranveer Singh who came dressed as, well, Ranveer Singh) to Janhvi Kapoor, Ananya Panday, and Sara Ali Khan swooning over him. How come?
Deverakonda is struggling with the assessment of his own hype. While one can explain the machinery backing him, Deverakonda’s popularity among his legion of fans, a significant number of whom are women, is quite real-as far as my anecdotal research goes. “It doesn’t make sense right?” he says, genuinely amused. “I pretty much come from nothing. At times, I feel half of this is not even my doing. That there’s a higher power at play. Otherwise, how can this happen to a boy from Saroj Nagar? Until I was 20 or so, which wasn’t many years ago, my parents and I lived in a rented apartment one-third the size of this suite. That’s all we had.”
Like most industries, the Telugu film industry, too, has nepotistic tendencies. The major actors working in the industry-Allu Arjun, Prabhas, Mahesh Babu, N.T. Rama Rao Jr., Ram Charan, and Rana Daggubati-have all emerged from the three families that control a large chunk of the film business: the Allu-Konidela family, the Daggubati-Akkineni family, and the Nandamuri family. There’s no denying these actors have built their own formidable body of work and cultivated a sizeable audience, but the debate was never about that. It was always about getting a foot in the door. While the actors mentioned above are a generation senior to Deverakonda, even his immediate peers: Akhil Akkineni, Naga Chaitanya, Allu Sirish, and Varun Tej all come from the same branches of film families. Not him. “It was incredibly hard to get in. The number of auditions, the number of rejections. I had a friend, Naveen Polishetty, whom I’d call and we’d discuss where the auditions were happening, or if someone had called back. For two to three years after college, nothing other than small roles in a couple of movies materialized.”
A few months before he turned 25, Deverakonda vowed that he wouldn’t be a struggling actor in his 30s. He wouldn’t be able to live with that. So he gave himself a deadline. “I’ll struggle till 25. And if things don’t materialise until then, I will explore something else.” Plan B was to write scripts or direct. It wasn’t as if he wasn’t getting roles; they were just not exciting enough. “Even when I was a nobody, I refused to do so many films. I always felt that I was meant for bigger things. People said, ‘You will never get an opportunity like this’, but I had higher expectations from myself.” In true cinematic fashion, where the quintessential underdog conspires to turn his extravagant dreams into reality, Deverakonda bagged Yevade Subramanyam days before his 25th birthday.
Within a year, he did another film as the lead, Pelli Choopulu, directed by Tharun Bhascker Dhaassyam. Made on a budget of 60 lakh, Pelli Choopulu went on to become one of the biggest hits of 2016, turning Deverakonda into a bankable name in the Telugu film industry and laying the stage for what would be the biggest turning point of his career: Arjun Reddy, the film that put him on the map and, in all likelihood, enabled his crossover to Bollywood. While plenty has been written and said about the film’s toxic hero who gets an empathetic narrative arc, Deverakonda says he still doesn’t understand the debate, given how clear he’s made known that he does not endorse Reddy’s actions or his mistreatment of women. “But does that mean I won’t play a character like that or whose actions I personally don’t agree with? No.”
He is particularly excited about his crossover debut. Puri Jagannadh’s Liger, a film where his character is described as a “crossbreed” and he is credited as “The Vijay Deverakonda”. According to Deverakonda, he moved another film ahead to accommodate Liger as he was entirely taken by the film’s script and the character. Doing Liger meant arriving in Bollywood with the backing of its most sought-after producer, Karan Johar. The actor is still settling in, overwhelmed by the collective wattage of star power surrounding him and the sudden spotlight.
While enjoying the steady influx of female attention, the actor is also deeply aware of its transient nature, and hence, doesn’t take it too seriously. “While it fills me with affection, I don’t know how to reciprocate. I feel it’s temporary.” Like stardom? “Perhaps.” Speaking about his life’s highlight reel has put him in a state of deep introspection. “I should try to enjoy this, right?”
Given the breakneck speed that his career is seemingly moving at, it’s perhaps not conducive for a steady romantic relationship. “I’m someone who loves being in love. I believe in love stories. They’re my happy place. But I’m also scared of heartbreak. So far, it hasn’t happened.” And that’s not because he has been the heartbreaker. Nope. It’s because, in what sounds like an act of self-preservation, he hasn’t allowed anyone to come close enough to hurt him. “Growing up, my dad taught me that love is bullshit and that money is the centre of this world. If you have money, you have everything. If you have money, people will love you, respect you, and do everything for you. This was ingrained in me so deeply that when I grew into an adult, I didn’t believe in relationships.” The child who was told that love is fake grew into a man incapable of loving or showing love. “I began believing that whoever came to me, came with a want. When someone said they love me, I never said I love you too. Till today, it doesn’t come as naturally as it should.”
That changed. While he doesn’t reveal who, he says a woman came into his life who transformed him and his idea of love. Maybe Imtiaz Ali was really onto something when he made those movies, I joke. “After becoming an actor, I got into a long relationship that taught me a lot about love. I realised that it’s not a transaction and that people can love you selflessly for who you are. It took me a long time to learn that my dad was wrong. To unlearn what he taught me. But I’ll say this: His lesson got me to where I am. I achieved everything that I desired but it came at a price.”
Before I leave, I ask him a question that has been playing on my mind. When he gets to meet Shah Rukh Khan, and he certainly will, what’s he going to say? After all, it all began with the interview where Shah Rukh said he was the last of the superstars.”I don’t know,” he says. “But when I saw his interview, I remember wanting to say, ‘Shah Rukh, you’re wrong. You’re not the last. I’m coming.'”
(Excerpts from GQ India September 2022)
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Ajay Devgn, Jackie Shroff’s Singham Again Climax Scene LEAKED
The anticipation for Singham Again, directed by Rohit Shetty and starring Ajay Devgn in the lead role, is high ahead of its release. Several viral pictures and videos from the shoot have also raised the excitement of fans. The makers have promised that the film, a part of the popular Singham franchise, will deliver high-octane action and gripping storyline. Now, another video from the film’s shoot in Kashmir has been leaked on social media.
In the now-viral clip, it looks like Ajay Devgn arrested Jackie Shroff, who will be seen as the villain in Singham Again. Jackie’s character looks furious as he walks with Singham.
In May 2024, a behind-the-scenes video from the film’s shoot in Srinagar was also leaked. The clip showed Ajay in a choreographed fistfight with Jackie. They were spotted exchanging punches at a public place, with a crowd gathered in the background to witness the shoot.
A few weeks back, filmmaker Rohit Shetty shared his experience of shooting for Singham Again, with Ajay and Jackie in Kashmir. On his official Instagram account, the director had shared a video which gives a glimpse of the fun they had during the shoot. Besides several behind-the-pictures of the cast and makers, the clip also features photos of snow-capped mountains, Dal Lake and the streets of the picturesque location.
Rohit said that after the abrogation of Article 370, Kashmir is ‘peaceful’. He also called it “Naye Bharat Ka Naya Kashmir.”
The filmmaker tagged Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well as the official Instagram account of Home Ministry and wrote, “Had the most amazing and emotional schedule. Thank you for the tremendous love Kashmir.”
Directed by Rohit Shetty, Singham Again also stars Arjun Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Deepika Padukone, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, and Ranveer Singh among others. It is the third installment of Rohit’s cop franchise.
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Nagpur: Man Pelts Stone At Banner With PM Narendra Modi’s Pic; Congress Leader
Nagpur: A video has surfaced on the internet in which it can be seen that a man is throwing stones at the banner with the photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The viral video is said to have shot in Maharashtra’s Nagpur, where a man who is in his 30s can be seen throwing stones at the poster of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The video has been shared by Gujarat Congress leader
The video has been shared by Gujarat Congress leader Hitendra Pithadiya. Hitendra Pithadiya is the Chairman of the SC Department of the Gujarat Congress and also the former National Coordinator of the AICC.
Hitendra Pithadiya shared the video and criticised PM Modi
Hitendra Pithadiya shared the video and said, “So much hatred towards Narendra Modi in Nagpur!” It can be seen in the video that the man is throwing stones at the banner of Prime Minister Narendra Modi which is installed at a bus stop in Nagpur.
The poster was put up at the Chandramani Nagar bus stop
The poster was put up at the Chandramani Nagar bus stop in Nagpur. The man who is donning a white shirt is throwing stones in fit of rage at the Prime Minister.
A few onlookers were also seen filming the incident
Many people are seen standing and watching the man throw stones at the Prime Minister’s banner. A few onlookers were also seen filming the incident, which took place in broad daylight in front of a massive crowd. Traffic is also seen at a standstill and people are seen watching the man indulge in the act.
The banner is promoting Vikasit Bharat Sankalp Yatra
Nobody comes forward to stop the man from performing the shameful act. The banner that is put up at the bus stop is the one promoting the Vikasit Bharat Sankalp Yatra.
The Vikasit Bharat Sankalp Yatra is being held by BJP
The Vikasit Bharat Sankalp Yatra is being held by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) across the nation. The yatra kicked off on November 21 and will continue till January 26, 2024. Hitendra Pithadiya was in the news recently, allegedly for sharing an obscene image of Ram Temple priest.
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Mumbai: ‘Hospitals Crippled Due To BMC’s Neglect’, City Cong Launches Attack
The BMC’s healthcare system has crippled as the tendering process of essential medical supplies and amenities for its hospitals is pending for the past one year due to the administration’s negligence, former Congress corporator Ashraf Azmi has alleged.
Congress corporators raise issue
Along with Azmi, addressing the media on the issue of BMC hospitals on Tuesday were former Congress corporators Sufian Vanu, Mohsin Haider, Asif Zakaria, Virendra Chaudhary, Sheetal Mhatre, and Ajanta Yadav. The Free Press Journal tried to reach out to assistant municipal commissioner Sudhakar Shinde but received no comment.
Supply of basic amenities crippled
Azmi said that the BMC has implemented a prescription-less policy but there has been no procurement from the central purchasing department affecting lakhs of people. He also alleged that the supply of basic amenities in hospitals, such as milk and food supplies, has also been crippled due to the administration’s laxity.
The Congress leader alleged that no drug has been scheduled through the central procurement authority, and the dean and medical officers end up buying essential medicines at higher rates from the open market everyday. “Moreover, every hospital is purchasing milk and food at different rates and under different conditions,” the corporations claimed.
Renovation underway since 5 years
In 2018, the municipality undertook the renovation of MT Agarwal Hospital, Shatabdi Hospital in Govandi, and Bhagwati Hospital in Borivali. Even after five years, these hospitals have not been renovated, as per the Congress corporators. They said that this year the administrators approved the purchase of life-saving endoscopic ultrasound medical equipment for KEM Hospital in Parel but the tender holder decided to cancel it. “The same goes for the supply of life-saving injections. The BMC is neglecting many such problems concerning citizens,” they said.
Former Corporators demand action
The former corporators have demanded strict action against officials who are cancelling contracts even after approval of the BMC administrator, and have sought the sacking of officials who do not finalise the tenders. Notably, the BMC had floated a tender for supply of medicines to municipal hospitals. However, only one or two suppliers responded to this tender. Most companies turned their backs on this tender process as the BMC has still to clear 20% of dues owed to the vendors, the corporators said.
However, a senior official from the public health department said, “For the first time in the history of the health department, we have got clear instructions from the Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on buying additional medicines and other amenities for which we are spending additional Rs500-Rs1000 crore.”
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