THE CONTENDER

VIJAY DEVERAKONDA IS RIDING THE PAN-INDIA BANDWAGON AGAIN WITH KINGDOM. HE CONFIDES HIS HOPES AND ASPIRATIONS TO ANURADHA CHOUDHARY

- ANURADHA CHOUDHARY

THE FIRST TIME I MET HIM. HE WAS TAKING BABY STEPS IN THE TELUGU FILM INDUSTRY.

Even though he had four releases, he had yet to hit the mark. Arjun Reddy hadn't been released as yet.

But there was a lot of excitement in the air.. He was being touted as the next big thing...on the cusp of super stardom...We’d approached him to host the Filmfare Awards, South along with Allu Shirish. And boy was he excited! He was gentle, shy and grounded. His sharp wit stood out even then.

He did a fab job of hosting, while at it. There was no doubt in my mind that he was slated for bigger things. And he didn’t disappoint. Arjun Reddy was a huge hit. And a superstar was born. He even won the Best Actor In A Leading Role (Male) Award for the film...He set the ball rolling and there was no looking back.

Years later I meet him again at the photoshoot for our cover story. He’s come a long way since we last met. Vijay Deverakonda is a pan Indian star today. You've heard about how South Indian stars are so professional... you see it in person. He walks into the studio at the dot of twelve, smiling gently. He greets everyone... there’s no shosha, no starry air... no trappings of stardoms, no outlandish demands. He gets ready fast, shoots even faster. And before you know the shoot is over.

Just like that. If only everyone was as easy. As we settle down for a tête-à-tête, he opens up...Talking candidly at times and in measured tone at other. Read on:

WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND RIGHT NOW?

There is always a lot on my mind about