"I always wanted to be recognised!": Vijay Deverakonda

Vijay Deverakonda is confident about Liger to be a super hit even before its release. In an exclusive, Vijay gets candid answering a volley of questions about his increasing fan following, films, his journey from Hyderabad to Mumbai and more with Lipika Varma.

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Elaborate on your first trip from Hyderabad to Mumbai. How do you like Mumbai now?

On my first visit to Mumbai, my visa to Europe got rejectedI

 initially played supporting roles. Yevadu Subramanyam, a decent film of mine, was released which was successful. It was during those days I had come down to Mumbai as I had some personal work, as I was planning to go to Europe to meet some family members. I had come from Hyderabad to Mumbai in a sleeper bus. However, my visa got rejected because I didn't have enough money in my savings accounts. Though my father had deposited some money in my account for visa purposes, they didn't believe I would come back to India. They thought I was running away to Europe to settle there and thus rejected my visa. My mama lives in Europe and they were sponsoring my trip. But now I have travelled on my own.

 

Those two days in Mumbai and now-

Back then, I was visiting Mumbai for two days. It was summer, and it was very hot and I was sweating. I returned the next day after my interview by bus. After that, I came to Mumbai when we were shooting the film Liger. I spent a lot of time here and I loved it. Mumbai has become close to my heart as I know people here. My director/producer's office and residence is here so I know some people from the industry. I enjoyed shooting work here.

However, since I travel by car, I don't know the roads and my geography of Mumbai is weak. I would go back home after my shoot, work out and go to bed. In Hyderabad, it's different, when I go back home, people come to meet me.

You have a huge fan following all over India. What would you like to say?