Versatile Telugu Actor Siddhu Jonnalagadda Navigates the Challenges of Reinvention

In November 2025, Telugu actor Siddhu Jonnalagadda finds himself at a crossroads. The runaway success of his 'DJ Tillu' and 'Tillu Square' films, which earned ₹140 crore at the box office, had established him as a bankable star and a fresh voice in Telugu cinema. However, it also threatened to typecast him as the wisecracking, irreverent anti-hero that audiences had fallen in love with.

Siddhu's latest release, 'Telusu Kada', directed by Neerraja Kona, was an attempt to showcase his range as an actor. The complex, relationship-driven drama received critical acclaim but struggled at the box office, initially confusing the actor. Siddhu acknowledges that both creativity and commercial viability are equally important for a film's success, and he is learning the ropes of stardom and image management.

As an actor-writer, Siddhu has a unique dual responsibility when developing projects for himself. He is clear that commercial considerations must be factored in from the writing stage, while also ensuring that the characters he portrays have relatable flaws that make them endearing and interesting.

Siddhu's experience with 'Telusu Kada' has taught him valuable lessons for his future projects. He plans to take a break to reflect on the film's performance and ensure that his next release satisfies both the audience's expectations and the industry's commercial requirements. Siddhu believes that it's important to know when to follow industry conventions and when to break them, as he navigates the delicate balance between artistic expression and commercial viability.