Actor Dora Sai Teja has become the talk of the town with his lead role in ‘Dhandha’, a Chai Shots production in the vertical storytelling space. Directed by Aditya Devulapally, the series is currently trending at No. 1 on the microdrama OTT platform. As the show enjoys a runaway success, Dora Sai Teja opened up about his cinematic journey, his life as a content creator, and what lies ahead. Here is what he had to say, in his own words.
The Long Road to ‘Dhandha’
My journey in cinema began at a young age when I dubbed for the child artist portraying a younger Prabhas in Adavi Ramudu. Over the years, I appeared in notable projects such as Kotha Bangaru Lokam, Ala Modalaindi, and the series High School. A defining moment in my career came in 2016 through my association with Ram Gopal Varma sir on the unreleased film Sridevi, which served as my true introduction to the craft of filmmaking. In 2018, I transitioned into full-time digital content creation, gaining widespread recognition through the web series Back Benchers. Building on that momentum, I launched my own content creation company last year, and I am proud to continue that success with our recent project, Dhandha.
Wearing Many Hats
I wake up already in motion: part director, part actor, part producer, part creator, switching hats before breakfast. It's not indecision; it's how I keep reinventing how I show up. Cinema is the love, content creation is the livelihood, and the overlap between them is basically my identity. Nobody taught me this. I built it myself, mistake by mistake, on my own schedule. Every stumble becomes a lesson I don't forget. Maybe that's why I carry myself like I am five years ahead of my actual age. There is no room left in my day for anything that isn't work, because my head never stops chasing the next thing to make.
Becoming Aravind, One Take at a Time
Unlike content creation, which limits you to a specific type of role, web series and films offer the opportunity to portray diverse characters. Take the example of Aravind in Dhandha. It's a challenging role made possible by our director. To deliver single-take performances and control production costs, I stay fully in character on set and thoroughly study the surrounding scenes beforehand. I rely on the director and cinematographer's reactions rather than watching the monitor.
Cracking the Marketing Code
Great content goes to waste without proper marketing, which is why we promoted Dhandha using an innovative 'I lost 15 lakhs' video that clearly communicated the core concept and helped turn the series into a humongous hit. This deep audience connection was built over years of relatable content. So, while social media brings both positivity and negativity, I ignore the noise, and keep moving forward.
The Man Behind the Camera
Despite facing financial struggles and setbacks, my childhood passion drove me to carve my own path across multiple formats/platforms: social media, OTT, and theaters. Working under a director for the first time, director Aditya anna executed his vision with total precision. He earned immense praise for translating the script so accurately onto the screen. I was driven by his vision and seamless sync between him, cinematographer, music director.
Our team worked tirelessly day and night to shoot Dhandha in just seven days across 30 call sheets. It created an extraordinary project, made possible only through dedication.
Handling the Noise of Social Media
Social media is a double-edged sword of praise and abuse. My goal is to build a fanbase through content creation to transition them into movie theaters, while using daily content to sustain my expenses. The label of influencer or content creator is limited. I personally prefer to be identified as an actor.
The perception of an easy, glamorous life is far from reality. Much like Snakes and Ladders, the platform that lifts you up can instantly pull you down. The shiny exterior is misleading. There are people who ruin others' lives for their own benefit, using clickbait titles, and morphed thumbnails for reach. Anyone entering this space must be prepared for both praise and hate to survive.
Influencers Must Conduct Well:
Society often prioritizes digital personalities over true achievers. For instance, few people know that Sakshi Chaudhary recently won a gold medal in boxing at the Commonwealth Games, yet followers remember an influencer's every tweet. Influencers often hold more sway than traditional celebrities or athletes, with audiences mimicking their looks and style. Because their words, actions, and attire directly impact so many people, influencers must conduct themselves with extreme caution and responsibility.
Looking Ahead
I want to bring stories to the theatre that every common person can relate to. I wish to play zero-to-hero characters, choose inspiring stories with strong messages, and pick characters and narratives that exist around us. My goal is to work with the target of doing complete justice to every rupee that audiences spend to watch me.
