Anand Deverakonda Opens Up on Why He Chose Epic – First Semester: “I Connected With the Story”

Anand Deverakonda is receiving a positive response for his latest film Epic – First Semester, which has arrived in theatres amid considerable curiosity among Telugu audiences. The film brings together Anand and Vaishnavi Chaitanya once again after their successful collaboration in Baby, while filmmaker Aditya Hasan makes his directorial debut on the big screen.

Following the early response to the movie, Anand spoke about the reasons that made him confident about taking up the project and why he believed audiences would connect with its story.

Anand Deverakonda Says the Story Felt Personal

According to Anand, one of the biggest reasons he agreed to do Epic – First Semester was his connection with the central character and the situations portrayed in the film.

The actor explained that having studied abroad himself, he could relate to several aspects of the story. The journey of a young man from a middle-class family, his experiences and his conversations with his father were among the elements that particularly appealed to him.

Rather than choosing the project simply because of its commercial prospects, Anand said he genuinely believed in what the film was trying to communicate.

That personal connection appears to have played an important role in his decision to become part of the film.

Aditya Hasan's Writing Was Another Major Attraction

Anand also highlighted his admiration for director Aditya Hasan's writing.

He had already watched Aditya's popular web series 90s, and the experience left him impressed with the filmmaker's ability as a writer. That earlier impression encouraged Anand to explore what Aditya could bring to a feature film.

After watching the finished version of Epic, Anand said he was particularly pleased with the response to the film's dialogues and writing.

The actor believes the combination of the screenplay, characters and romantic track gives the movie its distinctive appeal.

Comedy in the First Half, Emotions in the Second

Anand pointed out that Epic – First Semester offers a different balance across its two halves.

While the first half focuses more on comedy and lighter moments, the emotional portions become more prominent as the story progresses. He said audiences have been responding positively to both sides of the film.

The actor described the movie as a project made with sincerity and expressed happiness that viewers appear to be recognising that effort.

The response has also been particularly encouraging because the film was already generating expectations before its theatrical release.

Baby Pair Returns to the Screen

One of the major talking points surrounding Epic – First Semester has been the return of Anand Deverakonda and Vaishnavi Chaitanya as a lead pair.

The two actors became a widely recognised combination following the success of Baby. Their reunion naturally created curiosity among audiences, particularly among younger moviegoers.

However, Epic – First Semester is not being positioned simply as a repeat of their earlier success. The film introduces a different setting and a new story, with Aditya Hasan bringing his own writing style to the project.

The movie is presented by Srikara Studios and produced by Sithara Entertainments and Fortune Four Cinemas, with Suryadevara Naga Vamsi and Sai Soujanya backing the project.

Positive Response After Premieres

Epic – First Semester officially released on September 11, with premieres held on the previous night. The film began receiving positive feedback from the initial shows, prompting the team to interact with the media and share their happiness over the audience response.

Anand expressed his gratitude towards viewers who responded warmly to the film. He noted that some viewers were even describing the movie as the kind of story that could have arrived years earlier, indicating that its themes and treatment struck a chord with them.

The film's appeal, according to the actor, comes from its combination of romance, family emotions, humour and relatable characters.

Vaishnavi Chaitanya Highlights the Emotional Connect

Vaishnavi Chaitanya has also spoken about the reactions she has been receiving after audiences watched the movie.

She said several viewers contacted her after watching the film and discussed the characters and situations portrayed on screen. She particularly pointed to the way certain women's experiences are addressed in the story.

The actress said viewers appreciated the film's treatment of subjects such as periods and PCOD, while also connecting with the care and emotional support shown between the central characters.

What Makes Epic – First Semester Interesting?

For Anand Deverakonda, the key attraction appears to be the authenticity of the story rather than simply the reunion of a successful on-screen pair.

His confidence in the project comes from his personal connection with the protagonist, his faith in Aditya Hasan's writing and the film's blend of humour and emotion.

With the initial audience response turning positive, Epic – First Semester now has an opportunity to build momentum through the theatrical run. For Anand and Vaishnavi, the film also marks an important test of how audiences respond to them in a completely new story after the success of Baby.

If the early reaction continues, the film could become another notable chapter in Anand Deverakonda's growing filmography.