Stories from Telangana are resonating now more than ever: Akhil Raj Uddemari

As Telangana marks its 12th Formation Day, commemorating the historic culmination of a decades-long public movement, actor Akhil Raj Uddemari finds himself reflecting on a personal journey that closely mirrors the cultural rise of the state itself. Incidentally, Akhil moved to Hyderabad to pursue his acting dreams in 2014–15, arriving in the capital just as the young state was being formed. Now part of a new generation of talent bringing regional stories to the screen, the Warangal boy went from standing outside cinema gates as an industry outsider to leading mainstream projects. Fresh off his breakthrough in Raju Weds Rambai, Akhil speaks about identity, representation, and why local stories are finally taking centre stage.‘Telangana Formation Day takes me back to my hometown Warangal’Growing up in a police family meant constantly moving cities for Akhil, whose father worked as a constable. It was settling down in Warangal around 2009–10 that left a lasting emotional imprint on him. “I remember Telangana Formation Day being a holiday. We would sing Telangana folk songs. But now that I understand the significance of the day and why it is celebrated, I would like to take a moment to thank all those who fought for the formation of Telangana and made it possible,” he says.‘Seeing myself on the big screen for the first time at Sri Rama Theatre was surreal’Arriving in Hyderabad during the state’s infancy, Akhil navigated a long, uncertain road, working as a photographer and TV anchor to understand the industry. “I didn’t know whether the steps I was taking would actually help me, but I knew I had to keep moving forward,” he says. Starting with small roles in films like Rowdy Boys and even single dialogues, he slowly realised the importance of visibility and persistence in the industry. “There’s no direct gate pass into the cinema. You have to put yourself out there, explore opportunities, and slowly carve your own space,” he explains. Seeing himself on the big screen for the first time at Sri Rama Theatre was a surreal moment for Akhil. “With the audience reacting in real time, it was a life-changing Friday,” he says.‘I feel proud to represent our culture on screen’Akhil says he naturally gravitates towards stories set in Telangana. “As someone from Warangal, it makes me extremely proud. Films like Raju Weds Rambai are rooted in Telangana, and I’m hearing more scripts that are set in the region as well,” he says. “I naturally feel drawn to such stories because Telangana is my home. There’s a special sense of pride in representing our culture, language, and people on screen. Being able to bring those stories to life and showcase them to a wider audience is something I truly cherish,” he says, signing off.