Saif Ali Khan on his Telugu debut with Devraa: I felt like a newcomer
Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan is all set to make his Telugu debut with the film Devra directed by Koratala Siva and starring Jr NTR. At the trailer release, Saif shared his experience and challenges of working in a new language and cinematic tradition.
Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan is set to make his Telugu debut with the much-awaited film Devra, directed by Koratala Siva and starring Jr NTR in the lead role. During the film’s trailer release on September 10, Saif opened up about his experience working in the Telugu film industry, admitting that despite his years of experience in Bollywood, stepping into a new cinematic landscape made him feel like a newcomer.
Saif Ali Khan shared his excitement and nervousness about filming in a language that was unfamiliar to him. “I remember I did my first shot speaking in Telugu, and I had a little sweat running down my back. I was feeling nervous in a very different way,” the actor confessed. “I come from the same country, but our states are different from each other. Going there was a completely different experience.”
Known for his diverse roles in Bollywood, Saif is known for treading new paths. However, Deevra presented a unique challenge as he not only had to adapt to a new language but also immerse himself in the rich cinematic tradition of South Indian filmmaking. “It was very grateful to Tarak (Jr NTR) and Siva (Koratala Siva) because recently, films made in the South have been mind-blowing and getting the opportunity to act in a film like this, made me feel like a newcomer,” he said.
He said, “I speak that language, I like that film and I like what I have done in it.”
Devraa, which also stars Jr NTR and Janhvi Kapoor, is one of the most anticipated films of 2024. The film stars Saif Ali Khan in a double role, while Jr NTR is also playing a double character. The story revolves around the intense dynamics and high-stakes conflict between Saif’s character and Jr NTR’s Devraa.
*Devara* directed by Koratala Siva is set to release on September 27, 2024, and has already created a lot of buzz in India and internationally. The film has set pre-sale records, becoming the fastest Indian film to sell over 15,000 tickets in the US within a few days of its pre-sale launch. Saif’s entry into Telugu cinema as well as Jr NTR’s popularity after *RRR* has added to the excitement.
