Teja, a renowned Indian film director, has made a significant impact on the Telugu film industry with his plethora of blockbuster hits. His maiden venture, Chitram, released in the year 2000, revolutionized the face of Telugu cinema with its innovative storytelling and cinematic approach.
Born in the city of Madras, Tamil Nadu, Teja hails from one of the wealthiest business families in India. However, his life took an unexpected turn when both his parents met with an untimely demise. In the aftermath, Teja found himself struggling to make ends meet, taking up various odd jobs to support himself.
His journey in the entertainment industry began with assignments for documentaries presented on the National Geographic Channel. He later collaborated with renowned filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma on several projects, including Shiva, Kshana Kshanam, and Rangeela. Teja also made his cinematography debut with the film Raat/Raathri.
In an interview with Ramoji Rao, Teja expressed his confidence in the possibility of shooting an entire film with a small budget at the Ramoji Film City. His vision came to life with the massive success of Chitram, which not only grossed a significant amount but also redefined the landscape of Telugu cinema.
Following the success of Chitram, Teja went on to direct several superhits, including Family Circus and Nuvvu Nenu. In the year 2002, he established his own production company, Chitram Movies, and produced/directed the film Jayam, which emerged as one of the biggest hits in Telugu cinema, grossing a staggering Rupees 32 crore.
Teja's subsequent venture, Nijam, starring Superstar Mahesh Babu, further cemented his position as a leading director in the industry. He is also known for his penchant for nurturing new talent, having introduced several superstars, including Kajal Agarwal, Nithin Reddy, Navadeep, Ileana D'Cruz, and Sunil, among others.