Teja Sajja talks with Subhash K Jha about how incredible and, at the same time, surreal it was to share the awards stage with Allu Arjun, whom Teja, as a child, played a younger version of the actor 15 years ago.
Teja, you’ve won an award alongside Allu Arjun?
It was surreal, Sir! I couldn’t believe it was happening. I’ve grown up watching the films of Chiranjeevi Sir and Allu Arjun Sir. And now, to be sharing the stage with Arjun Sir… he won the best actor for Pushpaa 2. I won the critics’ award for HanuMan. To be standing there with Arjun Sir… do you know I had played the child version of Arjun Sir in his first film as leading man Gangotri.
Does he remember?
Of course, he remembered! Arjun Sir suggested that we take a selfie together on stage for posterity. He said we had worked together fifteen years ago. And we may be standing on the same stage fifteen years later, receiving awards together again.
How do you look at your success so far?
With surprise and humility. I sometimes have to pinch myself to remind myself that it’s all real. Now with HanuMan and Mirai doing well, there is the pressure of a follow-up success.
So, which will be your next release?
I am working on three projects Zombie Reddy2, Mirai 2 and HanuMan 2. Any of these can come first. We are in no hurry to complete the films. The end-product has to be special.
