‘Crazy Kalyanam’ Has Universal Emotions That Transcend Borders: Hero Akhil Raj Uddemari
Fresh off the buzz of Raju Weds Rambai, promising young actor Akhil Raj Uddemari is gearing up for his next release, Crazy Kalyanam. Directed by Badrappa Gajula and produced by Boosam Jagan Mohan Reddy under Arrow Cinemas, the comedy entertainer features an ensemble cast including Dr. Naresh Vijay Krishna, Anupama Parameswaran, and Tharun Bhascker.
Scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on October 16 as a Dasara festive treat, Akhil sat down for an exclusive chat about sharing screen space with stalwarts, fulfilling his mother’s dream, and why content always triumphs over region. Excerpts:
Q: How did you come on board for Crazy Kalyanam?
Akhil: My association with producer Jagan Mohan Reddy garu goes back to Vindhu Bhojanam. When the team was putting together the pitch deck for Crazy Kalyanam, they penciled me in for the role of Uday. At that point, no other casting had been finalized. When the director and producer formally asked if I would play Uday, I immediately agreed.
Later, seasoned performers like Naresh garu, Anupama, and Tharun Bhascker joined the project. Once I read the bound script, I was thoroughly entertained. Tharun’s character, Balaraju, is outright hilarious, while my role blends fun and romance. Director Badrappa anna showed immense faith in me, and I gave it everything to ensure Uday holds his own alongside these powerhouses.
Q: You are sharing the screen with experienced actors very early in your career. How was that experience?
Akhil: As an actor, my priority is always the script and the overall film, never just screen time. If you ask me, Naresh garu is the real hero of Crazy Kalyanam—his character truly anchors the entire narrative.
Working with Anupama has a personal memory attached to it. Years ago, I played a small role in Rowdy Boys, where she was the female lead. While watching that film, my mother said, "Once you become a hero, you should act with this girl." Today, fulfilling my mother’s wish feels incredibly special. Both the director and producer trusted me with this leading role opposite Anupama even before Raju Weds Rambai hit screens, and I will always be grateful for that faith.
Q: Were you nervous sharing screen space with Anupama Parameswaran?
Akhil: Naturally, I had some initial jitters on day one, but Anupama made me feel completely comfortable within half a day. Before every take, we discussed our scenes thoroughly and approached our parts strictly as Uday and his partner, rather than actors trying to outperform each other. You will see that mutual support and chemistry play out naturally on screen.
Q: Tell us about your role, Uday. How does he differ from your previous work?
Akhil: Like Raju in Raju Weds Rambai, Uday is also a relatable boy-next-door, but with distinct ambitions. He is a fresh graduate determined to make a mark in life. The character carries a vibrant, positive energy that every youngster will connect with. I put the same degree of preparation and authentic homework into Uday as I did with Raju.
Q: The film is rooted in a Telangana backdrop. Do you think regional dialects limit a film's reach?
Akhil: Not at all. Crazy Kalyanam reflects everyday moments from our homes and villages. Dialect or geography are never barriers if the core emotion is honest—a classic example is Pelli Choopulu, which won hearts equally across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
On top of that, we have a wonderful song, Ala Sendravanka, penned by the legendary Dr. Gorati Venkanna garu featuring Anupama and me. A film driven by good content naturally finds its audience everywhere, regardless of market equations.
Q: Dasara box office is packed with major releases. Are you feeling the pressure of competition?
Akhil: We do not view big-ticket films as competition. If the big star movies are like biryani during the festival, our film is the sweet that completes the feast. Festive seasons have room for multiple good stories to thrive, and families always welcome wholesome entertainment. Crazy Kalyanam is a clean, fun entertainer that families can sit together and enjoy.
Q: What is next in the pipeline for you?
Akhil: My upcoming project is titled Shanarathi. It is an intensely rooted, raw, core-cult film that presents a very different shade of my acting craft.
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