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Sai Durgha Tej

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Sai Durgha Tej
Tej in 2015
Born
Sai Dharam Tej

(1986-10-15) 15 October 1986 (age 38)
Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh (now in Telangana), India
Alma materSt. Mary's College, Hyderabad
OccupationActor
Years active2013–present
RelativesPanja Vaisshnav Tej (brother)
FamilyKonidela–Allu family

Sai Durgha Tej[1] (born Sai Dharam Tej; 15 October 1986) is an Indian actor who predominantly works in Telugu films. Tej started his acting career with the box office success Pilla Nuvvu Leni Jeevitham (2014), which earned him the SIIMA Award for Best Male Debut – Telugu.[2]

Post his debut, Tej appeared in films such as Subramanyam for Sale (2015) and Supreme (2016), which were box office successes. Back-to-back critical and commercial failures followed this. Tej then went onto establish himself with successful films Chitralahari (2019) and Prati Roju Pandage (both 2019), Solo Brathuke So Better (2020) and Republic (2021).[3][4] In 2023, Tej appeared in two of the year's highest grossing films — Virupaksha and Bro.[5][6]

Early life and background

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Tej was born as Sai Dharam Tej to Vijaya Durga, the younger sister of Telugu film actor-politician Chiranjeevi, on 15 October 1986.[7] Tej did his schooling from Chettinad Vidyashram, Chennai[8][9] and Nalanda School, Hyderabad and completed his graduation from St. Mary's College, Hyderabad.[10]

Actors Ram Charan, Varun Tej and Niharika Konidela are Tej's cousins. His younger brother Vaisshnav Tej is also an actor. Pawan Kalyan and Nagendra Babu are his maternal uncles.[11][12] Actors Allu Arjun and Allu Sirish and their father, Allu Aravind are related by marriage through Chiranjeevi.

In March 2024, he announced that he is changing his name from Sai Dharam Tej to Sai Durgha Tej. The changed name is derived from both his parents names respectively.[13]

Career

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Debut and early work (2014–2018)

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Tej made his film debut with Pilla Nuvvu Leni Jeevitham, opposite Regina Cassandra in 2014. The film was a hit at the box office.[14] Times of India noted, "... Tej’s rustic charm makes his actions believable. The actor is particularly quite impressive with his dance moves".[15] Deccan Chronicle stated, "Sai Durgha Tej delivers a mature performance. He entertains throughout the film with his performance and he has done this quite comfortably."[16] He received SIIMA Award for Best Male Debut - Telugu for his performance.[17]

Tej had two releases in 2015. His first film was Rey where he portrayed Rock opposite Saiyami Kher.[18] 123telugu said, "Sai Durgha Tej’s electrifying performance is the major asset of this film."[19] Tej's second release in 2015 was Subramanyam for Sale, which was successful at the box office, grossing over ₹33.95 crore.[20] He starred alongside Regina Cassandra, for the second time, after Pilla Nuvvu Leni Jeevitham (2014). Although various critics called it "routine",[21] Tej's portrayal was cited as "improved performance",[22] "spontaneous",[23] and "stunning".[24]

Resurgence and other work (2016–2018)

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Tej's action comedy Supreme which released the following year, was also financially successful and is one of his best movies.[25] Following Supreme, Tej went onto star in five films (in lead), including Thikka (2016), Winner (2017), Jawaan (2017), Inttelligent (2018) and Tej I Love You (2018).[26][27] Tej was criticized for selecting similar and regular stories in his films.[28][29]

Commercial success and progression (2019–present)

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Chitralahari was his first release of 2019. The film was a box office success with critics praising his performance and Tej giving one of his career best performances.[30][31] The Times of India had called the character Vijay in the film, the best in Tej's career so far.[32] About his role in the film, Deccan Chronicle reported "Sai Tej has put on weight and with a beard looks fresh and fits the character. For this role, he has completely set aside his mass image".[33] His next film of the year, Prati Roju Pandage was also successful.[34] Murali Krishna CH of The New Indian Express in his review of the film, wrote that "The film definitely Sai Tej’s canvas and he delivers his standard chops with flamboyance".[35] Later in 2020, his film Solo Brathuke So Better was released following the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the restriction of 50% occupancy in cinemas, the film was successful at the box office.[36] Idlebrain's Jeevi appreciated Tej's performance, particularly his comedy timing and acting in the emotional scenes of the film.[37] In contrast, Y Sunita Chowdhary of The Hindu opined that "Tej could have benefited from a better script."[38]

In his next film Republic (2021), directed by Deva Katta, Tej played the role of an IAS officer.[39] The film, a political drama, opened to positive reviews, with critics calling his performance "matured" and the film was well received by audience and became a 'hit'.[40][41] Prakash Pecheti of Telangana Today stated: "Republic surely adds a cap in the feather for Sai Dharam Tej."[42]

Tej's 15th film, Virupaksha, a socio-fantasy thriller directed by Karthik Varma Dandu of Bham Bolenath fame, opened to generally positive reviews and became the highest-grossing film of his career. He next acted with his maternal uncle, Pawan Kalyan, in the remake of Vinodhaya Sitham, Bro, directed by Samuthirakani, who also directed the original. It released in July 2023. He has also signed films with debutant Jayanth Panuganti and Sampath Nandi.[43]

Motorbike accident

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In September 2021, Tej was in a single-vehicle motorcycle accident near the Durgam Cheruvu Bridge in Hyderabad. He was admitted to Apollo Hospitals whose doctors announced that he sustained soft tissue injuries and a collar bone fracture but was out of danger.[44][45] He announced a six-month career break in July 2023 to focus on fitness and get back into form.[46]

Media image

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Tej stood at the 25th place on Forbes India's most influential stars on Instagram in South cinema for the year 2021.[47] He ranked 24th in Hyderabad Times Most Desirable Men list of 2016.[48]

Tej turned brand ambassador for ‘Sky Zone Park’.[49] He also became an ambassador for charity organisation 'Think Peace'.[50]

Filmography

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Films

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† Denotes films that have not yet been released
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2014 Pilla Nuvvu Leni Jeevitham Srinu
2015 Rey Rock
Subramanyam for Sale Subramanyam "Subbu"
2016 Supreme Balu
Thikka Aditya
2017 Winner Siddharth "Siddu" Reddy
Nakshatram Alexander IPS
Jawaan Yellapragada Jai
2018 Inttelligent Dharma Teja / Dharma Bhai
Tej I Love You Tej
2019 Chitralahari Vijay Krishna
Prati Roju Pandage Sai Tej
2020 Solo Brathuke So Better Virat
2021 Republic Panja Abhiram IAS [39]
2023 Virupaksha Surya [51]
Bro Markandeyulu "Mark" [52]
2025 SYG - Sambarala Yeti Gattu † TBA Filming [53]

Television

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Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2017 Nenu Mee Kalyan Himself Guest appearance [54]

Accolades

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Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2015 South Indian International Movie Awards Best Male Debut - Telugu Pilla Nuvvu Leni Jeevitam Won [55]
Filmfare Awards South Best Male Debut – South Nominated [56]
13th Santosham Film Awards Best Male Debut Won [57]
CineMAA Awards Best Male Debut Won [58]
2024 South Indian International Movie Awards Best Actor – Telugu Virupaksha Pending [59]

References

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  1. ^ "Sai Dharam Tej changes his name to Sai Durgha Tej for this reason!". timesofindia. 10 March 2024. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  2. ^ "Sai Dharam Tej teams up with Sukumar for a mystical thriller: To be directed by debutante Karthik - Times of India". The Times of India. 14 August 2020. Archived from the original on 15 August 2020. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  3. ^ "Prati Roju Pandage glimpse: Makers reveal a special look on Sai Durgha Tej's birthday". The Indian Express. 15 October 2019. Archived from the original on 22 October 2019. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  4. ^ "Vaishnav Tej's debut film launched". Zee News. 22 January 2019. Archived from the original on 22 August 2019. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  5. ^ "'Virupaksha' box office collection Day 17: Sai Dharam Tej's film rakes in Rs 91crore". Times of India. 8 May 2023. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
  6. ^ Thanjavur, Kiran Kumar (31 August 2023). "పవన్ కళ్యాణ్ 'బ్రో' వరల్డ్ వైడ్ బాక్సాఫీస్ క్లోజింగ్ కలెక్షన్స్.. మొత్తం లాస్ ఎంతంటే." News18 Telugu (in Telugu). Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  7. ^ "Sai Durgha Tej refutes reports about 'upcoming marriage' to Niharika Konidela". Firstpost. 8 May 2017. Archived from the original on 12 May 2017. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  8. ^ "Virupaksha Tamil Pre-Release Event LIVE | Sai Durgha Tej | Samyuktha | Sukumar | Studio Green" – via www.youtube.com.
  9. ^ "Sai Dharam Tej calls himself a T Nagar boy ahead of Virupaksha's Tamil release". OTTPlay.
  10. ^ "Alumni". www.stmaryscollege.in. Archived from the original on 22 June 2020. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  11. ^ India, The Hans (21 January 2019). "Sai Dharma Tej Introduces Panja Vaisshnav Tej". www.thehansindia.com. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
  12. ^ Nitin, B (3 September 2017). "Tollywood's first families: The kings and queens who rule the Telugu film industry". The News Minute. Archived from the original on 4 September 2017.
  13. ^ Pavaman, Suraj (9 March 2024). "Actor Sai Dharam Tej changes name to 'Sai Durga Tej'; says 'Want my mother's presence with me always'". Pinkvilla. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
  14. ^ "Pilla Nuvvu Leni Jeevitham 3 Days Box Office Collection". 17 November 2014.
  15. ^ "Pilla Nuvvu Leni Jeevitham Movie Review {3/5}: Critic Review of Pilla Nuvvu Leni Jeevitham". Times of India. Retrieved 27 September 2015.
  16. ^ "Movie review 'Pilla Nuvvu Leni Jeevitham': Sai Durgha Tej's romantic entertainer". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 15 November 2014.[dead link‍]
  17. ^ Ujala Ali Khan (8 August 2015). "Dubai hosts fourth South Indian International Movie Awards". thenational.ae. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  18. ^ "Rey Music Review - Ďeja vu Overload". 4 December 2012. Archived from the original on 23 January 2014. Retrieved 23 December 2012.
  19. ^ "Rey Telugu Movie Review | Sai Durgha Tej Rey Movie Review". 123telugu.com. 28 March 2015. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  20. ^ "Baahubali to Kumari 21F: Top 20 highest-grossing Telugu/Tollywood movies of 2015". International Business Times. 5 January 2016. Archived from the original on 5 January 2016. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  21. ^ IBTimes (25 September 2015). "'Subramanyam for Sale' (SFS) movie review round-up: Critics call it a routine 'paisa vasool' entertainer". www.ibtimes.co.in. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  22. ^ Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi (24 September 2015). "Subramanyam for sale: Unapologetic mass masala". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  23. ^ "Subramanyam For Sale review by jeevi - Telugu cinema review - Sai Dharam Tej & Regina Cassandra". www.idlebrain.com. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  24. ^ "Subramanyam For Sale Telugu Movie Review | SFS Movie Review | Sai Dharam tej Subramanyam For Sale Movie Review | Subramanyam For Sale Review and Rating | SFS Review and Rating | Subramanyam For Sale Telugu Review | Subramanyam For Sale Twitter Updates | Subramanyam For Sale First Day Talk | Subramanyam For Sale Cinema Review | Subramanyam For Sale Review | Subramanyam For Sale Live Updates | Subramanyam For Sale Film Review | SFS Telugu Review | Harish Shankar Subramanyam For Sale Review". 123telugu.com. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  25. ^ Hooli, Shekhar H. (24 June 2016). "'Supreme' worldwide total box office collection: Sai Dharam Tej's film grosses Rs 44 crore in 50 days". www.ibtimes.co.in. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  26. ^ kavirayani, suresh (16 February 2019). "One Friday can change everything: Sai Dharam Tej". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 16 February 2019. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  27. ^ "First Day: తొలిరోజు బాగానే రాబట్టిన 'చిత్రలహరి'". Samayam Telugu (in Telugu). Archived from the original on 11 October 2020. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  28. ^ "Sai Dharam Tej's Tej I Love You Review & Rating {2.25/5}". thehansindia.com. 6 July 2018. Archived from the original on 6 July 2018. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  29. ^ "Tej I Love You Telugu Movie Review | Sai Dharam Tej Tej I Love You Cinema Review". 123telugu.com. Archived from the original on 6 July 2018. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  30. ^ "Chitralahari teaser: Sai Dharam Tej hits the right chord with this relatable comedy entertainer – watch video". Bollywood Life. 13 March 2019. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  31. ^ kavirayani, suresh (23 October 2019). "Change in fortunes for Sai Tej!". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 15 November 2019. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  32. ^ "Chitralahari movie review {3/5}: Sai Dharam Tej, Kalyani Priyadarshan and Nivetha Pethuraj save the day", The Times of India, retrieved 9 May 2019
  33. ^ kavirayani, suresh (14 April 2019). "Chitralahari movie review: 'Chitralahari' is about a failure person's success story!". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  34. ^ "Sai Dharam Tej Teams Up With Sukumar?". Sakshi Post. 15 August 2020. Archived from the original on 11 October 2020. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  35. ^ "'Prathi Roju Pandage' review; A fun ride". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  36. ^ "Sai Dharam Tej's Solo Brathuke So Better Closing Collections". Sakshi Post. 3 February 2021.
  37. ^ "Slo Brathuke So Better review by jeevi - Telugu cinema review - Sai Dharam Tej and Mabha Natesh". www.idlebrain.com. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  38. ^ Chowdhary, Y. Sunita (25 December 2020). "'Solo Brathuke So Better' movie review: Doesn't measure up". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  39. ^ a b "Sai Dharam Tej and Aishwarya Rajesh starrer Republic gets a release date". The Times of India. 15 August 2021.
  40. ^ Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi (1 October 2021). "'Republic' movie review: A silver lining wouldn't hurt". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X.
  41. ^ "Republic Movie Review : An intense political drama that makes you think". The Times of India. 1 October 2021.
  42. ^ "Review: 'Republic', feather in Sai Dharam Tej's cap". Telangana Today. 1 October 2021.
  43. ^ "Sai Dharam Tej's next with Sampath Nandi". The Hans India. 21 December 2021.
  44. ^ "Tollywood actor Sai Dharam Tej injured in bike accident in Hyderabad". The News Minute. 11 September 2021.
  45. ^ "Chiranjeevi's nephew actor Sai Dharam Tej injured in road accident, hospital confirms he's stable". Hindustan Times. 11 September 2021.
  46. ^ "Sai Dharam Tej announces six-month movie break to focus on physical fitness". India Today. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
  47. ^ "Meet the 30 most influential social media stars of South cinema". Forbes India. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
  48. ^ "Most Desirable Men of 2016: Mahesh Bahu and Nani leads, Sai Dharam Tej makes an entry in the list". Telugu 360. 24 January 2017.
  49. ^ "It was great fun: Sai Dharam Tej as he turns brand ambassador for 'Sky Zone Park'". Telugu 360. 18 September 2017.
  50. ^ "Sai Dharam Tej turns brand ambassador for charity organization Think Peace". Andhra Wishesh. 16 October 2017.
  51. ^ "Sai Dharam Tej returns to work post accident, starts shooting for 'SDT15' with Karthik Dandu". Pinkvilla. 30 March 2022.
  52. ^ "#PKSDT: Pawan Kalyan and Sai Dharam Tej's remake goes on-floors - Times of India". The Times of India. 22 February 2023. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  53. ^ "SDT 18: Sai Durgha Tej's next, his first pan-India film goes on floors". The Hindu. 24 June 2024. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  54. ^ "Sai Dharam Tej opens up on playing himself in the web series 'Nenu Mee Kalyan'". The Hans India. 12 April 2017.
  55. ^ "SIIMA AWARDS". Archived from the original on 17 May 2017. Retrieved 15 July 2015.
  56. ^ "Winners of 62nd Britannia Filmfare Awards South". Filmfare. 27 June 2015. Archived from the original on 29 January 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2015.
  57. ^ "Rana Daggubati, Hansika, Akhil Akkineni at Santosham Film Awards 2016 - Photos". IBTimes India. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
  58. ^ "Nitya, Nag bag awards on star-studded night". The Hindu. 16 June 2013. Retrieved 16 August 2018 – via www.thehindu.com.
  59. ^ "SIIMA 2024: 'Dasara', 'Jailer', 'Kantara', '2018' lead the nominations - Check out the details inside". Outlook India. 17 July 2024. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
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