‘Dacoit’ star Adivi Sesh recalls earning respect in Telugu film families; says, ‘we’re a nepo country’

Adivi Sesh is known for his previous hits, including ‘Major’, ‘HIT 2’ and ‘Goodachari’. Growing up in San Fransico and making his name in the Telugu film industry, the actor shared his journey when he came to Mumbai to give his audition. He also discussed entering the Telugu cinema industry.

During a conversation with the Indian Express, he said, “I’d come to Mumbai to audition for Ram Gopal Varma, I’d seen an open casting call for a serial in the newspaper. I didn’t even know what a serial is because it was called a TV show in the US.”

Adivi Sesh’s audition experience

He said he felt stuck in between. He said he was too Indian for America and too American for India. “So, after reading the lines in the audition, they asked, “Where are you from?” When I said San Francisco, they said, “Yes, there’s an American accent in your Hindi.” The next week, I went for an audition to the same place, I told them I’m from Hyderabad. So they said, “Oh ya, that’s why there’s a South Indian twang to your Hindi” (laughs). So, I was too Indian for America, too American for India, too North Indian for South India, and too South Indian for North India,” he said.

Adivi Sesh also spoke about his experience entering the Telugu film industry. He said, “Honestly, even if you go to an Indian village, the son of a doctor becomes a doctor only, and a farmer’s son becomes a farmer. So, I think we’re a nepo country. But audiences don’t care.” He added that people only care if you do something different. He feels that today things are more democratic than before.

Support from big Telugu cinema families

Calling it his luck, Adivi Sesh mentioned that he earned respect from film families from the beginning. He got strong support from big stars. Mahesh Babu produced ‘Major’. Nani produced ‘Hit: The Second Case’. Annapurna Studios, owned by Nagarjuna and his family, is producing ‘Dacoit’.




Adivi Sesh will be next seen in ‘Dacoit’ alongside Mrunal Thakur. The revenge action thriller also features Anurag Kashyap and Prakash Raj in key roles.Get the latest entertainment updates from the Times of India, along with the latest Hindi movies, upcoming Hindi movies in 2026 , and Telugu movies.”