Actor Sivaji is back in form, landing powerful roles in upcoming films. After the success of Court, where his performance as Mangapathi received widespread appreciation and set a new benchmark for him, the actor is now gearing up for another contrasting character in his upcoming film Dhandoraa.
“In Dhandoraa, expectations are higher compared to my Mangapathi role and definitely it reaches up to that,” Sivaji says. Interestingly, Sivaji reveals that Dhandoraa was offered to him before the Court. “I actually received the advance for Dhandoraa first, but Court was completed and released earlier,” he said.“In Dhandoraa, expectations are higher compared to my Mangapathi role and definitely it reaches up to that,” Sivaji says.
Recalling his performance in Court, he explained how emotions were conveyed largely through his eyes. “In Dhandoraa, my character has many shades. As an actor, I feel fortunate to get such a role,” he says. Sivaji plays a farmer in the film, while Bindu Madhavi appears as his girlfriend. “The story revolves around my character, but every artist has importance. Whether my role is good, bad, or something else can only be judged after watching the film,” he adds.
Speaking about the theme, Sivaji felt that social situations have not changed much over the decades. “From the 70s and 80s to the 90s, many issues remain the same, and we have portrayed that in the film. It is a complete commercial film. It doesn’t offer solutions or messages, but it is definitely thought-provoking,” he explains.
After working with a debutant director for Court, Sivaji collaborated with another newcomer Murali Kanth, for Dhandoraa. “Even in my upcoming projects, I am mostly working with newcomers. They see me differently and write roles that bring out what they want from me,” he said. He also reveals that he is acting in Akhil Akkineni’s Lenin.
Sivaji also shares his views on why some top directors do not cast Telugu actors. “I have been in the industry for 30 years and have played various roles, including negative characters and important roles like in Indra. Still, some top directors couldn’t find a role for me. They tend to calculate too much and trust actors from other languages instead of the roles they’ve written,” he says. “I am not against actors from other languages doing Telugu films. But when many talented Telugu actors are available, it hurts to see them being ignored,” he adds. Speaking about actors in films like Court and Dhandoraa, Sivaji praises actors such as Navdeep, Bindu Madhavi, Ravi Krishna, Mounica, and Manika. “I recently watched Mowgli, and Mounica was fantastic. Directors need to believe in actors and give them opportunities,” he said. Reinstating that he is open to all kinds of roles, Sivaji says, “When I look at myself in the mirror, I know what I am capable of. I believe in myself and my ability to deliver strong performances.”
Before Court, Sivaji went through a long phase without films. When asked how he managed during those 13–14 years, he says, “I survived through real estate by investing some money. During the pandemic, everything changed. I helped many people and kept only what I needed. After the pandemic, most businesses slowed down, and that’s when my sons motivated me to return to acting.” He reveals that his younger son played a crucial role in his comeback. “He told me that he had seen me act as a child but didn’t see me on screen as he grew up. Around that time, I received the Bigg Boss offer and accepted it,” Sivaji said, calling it a turning point in his life.
Sivaji further recalls, “Then came 90s - Middle Class Biopic web series, which became a big hit. After that, Court happened. The director saw me on Bigg Boss and felt I was perfect for Mangapathi. Luck also played a part, and since then, offers have been coming my way. Adding that he is now careful about choosing roles, he says, “I don’t accept everything that comes my way. Repetition can bore the audience, so I look for variation in every role.”
Addressing the dominance of Telangana-based stories, Sivaji expresses concern over the future of Andhra stories. “I agree that the next generation may not see many Andhra-based stories. It depends on how seriously the AP government takes cinema. If they don’t act now, stories from that region may disappear,” he warned. Recalling films like Samarasimha Reddy, Narasimha Naidu, and Indra that had Rayalaseema backdrops, he adds that such stories are rarely being made now. Sivaji also rejects the notion that Telangana-based films don’t work in Andhra regions. “Cinema has no barriers. Today, Tamil and Malayalam films are successful in Telugu as well,” he said. He credits Malayalam cinema for its realistic storytelling and noted that several small Telugu films are now following the same path. “Dhandoraa is also rooted in realism,” he notes.
Commenting on high ticket prices, Sivaji says they are affecting the industry negatively. “Because of it, nearly 40 percent of audiences are staying away from theatres. Big films release only five times a year, but they end up harming the remaining 200 films,” he says, adding, “The budgets are high due to exploitation and unnecessary expenditure. Producers should control this. I’m not talking about actors’ or directors’ remuneration, as it is market-driven, but there must be responsibility.”
Also, questioning long production timelines, Sivaji says, “I don’t understand why films take years to make. Look at Malayalam films — made on budgets of ₹30 crore and earning ₹300 crore. Every industry has challenges, but control is the key. If a film genuinely needs a high budget, ticket prices can be justified, but hiking them by hundreds of rupees is unfair.”
Finally, addressing his political stance, Sivaji clarifies that he does not support any political party. “I speak on behalf of people. Whatever political comments I made were honest. I never sought help from any party or politician. If something goes wrong in the future, I will speak out again for the people,” he concludes.
