Thimmarajupalli TV Actor Pradeep Kotte

The rural period drama Thimmarajupalli TV, produced by Kiran Abbavaram under the KA Productions banner in association with Sumaira Studios, turned out to be a successful attempt at encouraging fresh talent in Telugu cinema. Directed by debutant V. Muniraju, with Teja Velpucharla as co-producer, the film is now set for its OTT release on Aha from May 15.

Ahead of the digital premiere, actor Pradeep Kotte opened up about his acting journey, struggles, memorable experiences, and future aspirations.

Journey From Palamaneru to Cinema

Pradeep Kotte revealed that he hails from Palamaneru in Chittoor district and initially worked in Chennai before shifting to Hyderabad. After moving to the city, he began exploring acting opportunities through short films and theatre.

He trained under Bashir Master at B Studio and participated in several stage plays. Director Muniraju reportedly noticed his performance in one such play and later auditioned him for the role of Rajappa in Thimmarajupalli TV.

“This Was My First Real Opportunity”

Speaking about the film, Pradeep said the role of Rajappa brought him considerable appreciation from audiences. He described the character as layered and emotionally demanding, adding that the positive response boosted his confidence.

Although he had previously worked in short films and independent projects, the actor considers Thimmarajupalli TV his first proper feature film and his first appearance on the big screen.

Balancing Job and Acting Career

Pradeep shared that for nearly ten years he balanced both his professional career and acting ambitions simultaneously. Through work-from-home arrangements and leaves from work, he managed to continue pursuing cinema without quitting his job entirely.

He admitted that his inability to dedicate himself fully to films may have delayed his progress in the industry. At the same time, he credited his family, especially his wife, for supporting him throughout the journey and helping him manage both responsibilities.

Kiran Abbavaram’s Growth Inspired Him

Recalling his early short-film days, Pradeep said he had known Kiran Abbavaram long before he became a successful hero. According to him, Kiran already enjoyed a strong following even during those days.

He praised Kiran’s dedication and hard work, stating that the actor-producer mastered various aspects of filmmaking and earned his current position through persistence and commitment.

Theatre Helped Him Overcome Fear

The actor explained that theatre played a major role in shaping his confidence and performance skills. Over time, he overcame his fear of facing the camera and improved his dialogue delivery and diction through stage experience.

He also revealed that in one stage production, he performed five different characters continuously for nearly one-and-a-half hours. According to him, the workshops conducted by director Muniraju greatly helped the cast understand their characters and scenes in depth.

“Every Character Leaves an Impact”

Pradeep appreciated the performances of fellow actors Sai Tej and Latheesh, saying many scenes in the film were completed in single takes.

He added that every character in Thimmarajupalli TV carries emotional weight and contributes meaningfully to the story.

“My Parents Watching Me Act Was Emotional”

Sharing one of his most cherished memories, Pradeep revealed that his family initially did not know much about his acting journey. Only his sister was aware of it to some extent.

Without informing him, she unexpectedly brought their parents to the shooting location. Seeing his parents watch him perform in front of the camera became an emotional and unforgettable moment for the actor.

Waiting for Meaningful Roles

Speaking about his future projects, Pradeep said he is currently listening to several scripts but does not want to rush into random films just because opportunities are coming his way.

He emphasized that he prefers characters with depth and importance, and wants to carefully choose projects that offer meaningful roles.