Young actor Teja Sajja has opened up about online trolling and criticism, offering a grounded perspective on how actors should deal with negativity. Speaking to reporters recently, Teja said trolling is not new to the film industry and affects even the biggest stars.
According to Teja, even films that win National Awards face criticism. Therefore, he believes it is pointless to sit and overthink negative comments. “If we keep thinking about what someone said, we cannot move forward,” he said, adding that self-belief and consistency matter more than public opinion.
Teja stressed that truth and real value always emerge with time. He noted that even if answers do not come immediately, they will surface eventually, even after ten years. “Everything has its own time. Only when that time comes will people understand our worth,” he explained. Because of this, he feels actors should not allow critics to affect their work or mindset.
Instead of worrying about trolls, Teja said filmmakers and actors should focus on entertaining audiences with fresh and engaging stories. He also highlighted the importance of gratitude, stating that success should be credited to the audience rather than personal background. “Instead of saying we reached here without a background, we should say we are here because of the audience,” he remarked.
Addressing the debate around industry background, Teja pointed out that actors with a film lineage face their own pressures and challenges, while outsiders have different struggles. He advised newcomers not to expect instant stardom upon entering the industry.
Teja emphasized the need to prove oneself step by step. He said actors should build credibility so that their presence in a film offers a minimum guarantee. Sharing an example, he recalled actor Ravi Teja’s journey, noting that he worked as an assistant director on nearly ten films before rising through hard work.
Reflecting on his own career, Teja said he cannot pick a favorite film. However, he admitted feeling proud of his performance in Hanuman and said he believes he did even better in Mirai.
