Anand Deverakonda on Epic – First Semester: I want a better strike rate at the box office

From ‘Epic – First Semester’ to ‘Thakshakudu’, Anand Deverakonda reflects on his career, his choice of characters and what lies ahead

Published - September 10, 2026 02:18 pm IST

Anand Deverakonda; with Vaishnavi Chaitanya in ‘Epic - First Semester’ | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

A day before the release of director Aditya Haasan’s Telugu film Epic – First Semester, actor Anand Deverakonda has wrapped up a long line-up of interviews, but dismisses any notion of fatigue. “I’m game to speak about this film. It might sound like a cliché, but I truly enjoyed working with this team,” Anand says when we finally begin our conversation in Hyderabad.

At the pre-release event, he grew emotional while recalling leaving home to pursue a master’s degree in the United States. In Epic, he plays a student who heads to the UK for higher studies, in a character inspired by Aditya. “A culmination of several factors made me emotional,” Anand says. “I enjoyed making this film and I will miss this team. Epic is Sithara Entertainments’ fifth release this year. We initially considered a February release but rescheduled it to accommodate other films. It has been a long wait.” He pauses before adding that seeing his brother, actor Vijay Deverakonda, at the event also brought up emotions.

Anand Deverakonda | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Anand remembers his parents and brother seeing him off at the airport as he left for the US. “That was my first flight and my first international journey. Many students and families can relate to that experience. I was scared to leave the comfort of home. I had borrowed money from my brother, mama (uncle) and pedamma (aunt), and felt responsible for completing my studies, finding a job and repaying them. At the airport, we all put on a brave front. My family told me to focus on my studies, eat well and not stress. But we all know the fears deep within. Aditya has captured these small moments in Epic.”

For the uninitiated, the characters played by Anand and his parents in Epic are extensions of the now-familiar characters from Aditya’s debut web series, 90s’: A Middle Class Biopic, which was inspired by his childhood.

Anand calls Epic a coming-of-age story and a slow-burn love story, reuniting him with his Baby co-star Vaishnavi Chaitanya. He describes Baby as a “massy love story”, where its not-so-subtle emotional outbursts sparked debates. In Epic, however, his soft-natured character is closer to a Sekhar Kammula hero. “That is how I interpreted my character when Aditya narrated it to me,” says Anand. “I found him to be innocent. It is deliberate.”

Anand paraphrases producer Naga Vamsi’s description of Epic as a “commercial experiment” and says Aditya has steered clear of the usual tropes associated with stories about NRI students. “The 90s’ web series was life-like, portraying situations that the audience could relate to. Epic also has fewer cinematic moments.”

The film looks at how students who move abroad in their early 20s navigate changes in lifestyle, food and financial responsibilities. “How you handle all these shapes who you become later,” Anand says.

Anand Deverakonda and Vaishnavi Chaitanya in ‘Epic - First Semester’ | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Among new-age romance dramas and coming-of-age stories, he cites the Malayalam film Hridayam, Tamil film Thiruchitrambalam, Telugu film Couple Friendly and Korean film Past Lives as favourites. Epic, he says, is driven by conversations.

The film also comes with box-office expectations for both Anand and Vaishnavi. Middle Class Melodies and Baby remain among Anand’s most popular films. “I want a better strike rate at the box office for sure,” he admits. “In hindsight, every film has helped me grow as an actor and understand people better.”

Next up is Thakshakudu, a mystic folklore thriller with Middle Class Melodies director Vinod Anantoju. Originally conceived for a theatrical release, the film is now expected to arrive on Netflix during the festive season. “Vinod has built a distinct visual world with a definite soundscape. We believe the film will find its audience, irrespective of whether it releases theatrically or digitally.”

Anand is also reuniting with Aditya Haasan for another film. “He will be writing the film, but it will be directed by a debutant,” he says. An Indo-Korean film is also in the works, and Anand hopes these films will help consolidate his position in Telugu cinema. “Epic is designed to work as a standalone film, even for those who haven’t watched 90s’. I hope that in these times of alpha-male characters, people warm up to the softer character I portray, and that this film ages well.”