My upbringing shaped me, says Vijay D

After a dud like 'NOTA', reigning star Vijay Devarakonda is returning with an emotional love story 'Dear Comrade'. Vijay has come a long way since his breakout role as 'Arjun Reddy' in 2017, and has evolved into a bankable star.

He says a lot of factors have contributed to taking him to the place where he is in right now, professionally.

"I can't point out a few things and say these made me who I'm today. Something as small as my human values class in my school or my upbringing has in some way shaped me and my career.

Success gives you the courage to unleash yourself. After the success of two films, I thought I'll start a clothing line and I did it and that's how I want to approach life," he said.

Has that courage been misunderstood as recklessness? Many believe he does things in a certain way or says certain things because he is a star now.

"It has, to some extent. But there is nothing I can do to change the way some people perceive me. When I have to say something or react to a faceless comment on social media, my team would want me to go easy and say it mildly.

I don't always have to be correct, do I? It's perfectly alright for people to not understand me," he explained.

Success has also given Vijay the freedom to push limits, especially with his forthcoming release, 'Dear Comrade.'

"With 'Dear Comrade', we didn't push limits in terms of scale or technology in the way the 'Baahubali' films did. We pushed (limits) in terms of regional boundaries.

It was started as a Telugu film on a budget of Rs. 3 to 5 crore but we ended up spending around Rs. 35 crore and making it in four more languages. We felt it's a story that can transcend boundaries and break language barriers," he said.

Vijay calls 'Dear Comrade' an honest story about a girl called Lily, played by Rashmika Mandanna, and her journey. "It's an emotional story. It's about a boy, a girl and their fight for what they love.

In every girl I know in my life, there is a Lily and that is why I feel the audience will relate to this character," he said.

'Dear Comrade' features Vijay as a character with anger issues, but he clarifies the role is different from what he essayed in 'Arjun Reddy.'

"There are a couple of scenes where you might be reminded of the angry Arjun Reddy. As characters and their ideologies, however, both of them are different.

As much as I'm proud of 'Arjun Reddy', I've started to get tired of the image, and people trying to compare that role with anything I do. I want to prove I can do (other things).

As an actor, I need to give other dimensions that will be remembered, and I'm working towards it." he said.