Actor Pradeep Kotte, who impressed audiences with his performance in Thimmarajupalli TV, says one emotional incident during the shoot remains unforgettable in his life. Produced by Kiran Abbavaram under KA Productions in association with Sumaira Studios, the village-based period drama is now streaming on Aha. In this exclusive interaction, Pradeep spoke about his journey, struggles, theatre experience, and future plans.
Tell us about your background and entry into films?
I’m from Palamaneru in Chittoor district. I worked in Chennai for some time and later moved to Hyderabad. After coming here, I started acting in short films. I also performed in theatre plays under Bashir Master at B Studio. Director V. Muniraju watched one of those performances and called me for an audition for the role of Rajappa. Later, when I came to know that Kiran Abbavaram was producing the film, I felt even more confident about the project.
How important was ‘Thimmarajupalli TV’ in your career?
This film gave me genuine recognition. The character Rajappa had many shades, and audiences connected with it really well. Though I acted in short films and independent projects earlier, this was my first feature film and my first appearance on the big screen. I can confidently say this movie gave me my real break.
You balanced a job and acting for years. How difficult was that phase?
It definitely wasn’t easy. For almost ten years, I managed both careers together. I used work-from-home opportunities and leaves to attend shoots. Maybe my career took time because I couldn’t dedicate myself completely to acting. But my family, especially my wife, supported me throughout. Since she handled many family responsibilities, I was able to continue both my profession and my passion.
You knew Kiran Abbavaram from the short-film days itself…
Yes, I knew him even before he became a hero. Back then too, he had a strong following among short-film audiences. He understood every craft related to filmmaking and worked very hard to reach where he is today. Watching his journey has been inspiring.
How did theatre help you as an actor?
Theatre changed me completely. It removed my fear of facing the camera and improved my dialogue delivery and diction. In one stage play, I performed five different roles continuously for nearly one and a half hours. That experience gave me great confidence. Director Muniraju also conducted detailed workshops before the shoot, which helped all of us perform naturally.
Which performances in the film impressed you the most?
I really liked the performances of Sai Tej and Latheesh. In fact, many actors delivered scenes in single takes. Every character in the film leaves an impact on the audience in some way.
You mentioned a memorable incident during the shoot. What happened?
Actually, no one in my family knew much about my acting journey. Only my sister had some idea about it. One day, without informing my parents, she brought them directly to the shooting location. Seeing my parents watch me perform in front of the camera for the first time was a very emotional and unforgettable moment for me.
What’s next for you?
Right now, I’m listening to a few scripts. I want to do roles that carry importance and substance. I don’t want to take up random projects just because opportunities are coming.
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