Anand Deverakonda Opens Up About Upcoming Film Epic After Two-Year Hiatus

Actor Anand Deverakonda has spoken about his recent projects and his acting process ahead of the release of his upcoming film, "Epic – First Semester", reflecting on a nearly two-year period away from the public spotlight. During an interaction with Ram Venkat Srikar, the actor shared insights into his recent work, character preparation, and his collaboration with director Aditya Hasan.

Deverakonda revealed that he had originally been scheduled to work on a project titled "Chennai Love Story", which ultimately did not materialize as planned. Despite the delay, he completed four films during his time away from the screen. Alongside "Epic", his completed projects include an Indo-Korean production centered on a madcap family narrative in which a Korean girl influences an Indian household.

Speaking about his decision to join "Epic", Deverakonda stated that he connected strongly with Aditya Hasan's narrative style after watching the director's web series "90s". He noted that the world presented in the story felt relatable, particularly in how characters and emotions were framed. Before committing to the project, the actor met with Hasan multiple times to gain a detailed understanding of the role.

In the film, Deverakonda portrays a character who transitions from the mischievous child seen in "90s" into a young man facing adult responsibilities, romance, and his ambition to become a film director. Deverakonda explained that the character has never been in a relationship and experiences confusion regarding personal dynamics, adding that he found several relatable qualities in the part.

The actor also discussed the collaborative process on set, noting that Hasan instructed him to avoid forced comedy or punch dialogues and instead portray the role naturally. Deverakonda explained that the two spent hours discussing personal relationships and life experiences prior to production, which helped establish the emotional depth of the performance. He also praised his co-actors and expressed hope that viewers would recognize elements of their own lives within the story.

Reflecting on his broader cinematic influences, Deverakonda cited films such as "Past Lives", "Kumbalangi Nights", and the Marathi feature "Killa" as works that have shaped his perspective and approach to acting.