Dhananjay, who continues to expand his horizons in Telugu cinema, gears up for his next, Zebra. Directed by Eashvar Karthic, the film pits Dhananjay against Satyadev Kancharana in a gripping heist thriller. “The story hit the nail for me,” shares Dhananjay, adding, “Another reason I took up the role is Satyadev. His journey is similar to mine. We both started with humble beginnings and have grown passionate about cinema. To me, Satyadev has evolved into an organic actor.”
It was Satyadev who encouraged Dhananjay to explore the script. “When I heard it, I felt it was one of the most fantastic scripts I’ve come across. A heist thriller intertwined with technology, banking loopholes, and money—it’s a creative and intelligent plot.”
Dhananjay plays a gangster, while Satyadev inhabits a banker’s world; their collision fuels the film’s central narrative. “It’s more than just a thriller. Zebra brings humour, drama, and everything else a good film needs. Everyone brings a unique flavour, though my character is more serious. Ravi Basrur’s music also blends uniquely into the story.”
The actor admires Eashvar's directorial vision: “Eashvar has immense potential to become a big director. Writing a script like this requires a sharp mind, and the execution matches it perfectly.” He also highlights the film’s 'Luck favours the brave' tagline, “It’s a life mantra—calculated risks pave the way for success.”
With a metaphorical title and a storyline rooted in universal themes like wealth and technology, Zebra shapes up as a true pan-India film. “Money is universal; no day is complete without its transaction,” Dhananjay asserts.
I am just a small part of Pushpa 2: Dhananjay
Fans can also catch Dhananjay as Jolly Reddy in Allu Arjun's Pushpa 2: The Rule, releasing on December 6. “I am just a small part in the film, although it has some significance to the story. Like in any big novel, characters come and go—it’s up to the audience to see how it unfolds.”