‘It feels surreal to be recognised for my performance in Drinker Sai’

As a child in Vijayawada, Dharma Kakani spent more time on stage than he did in front of a textbook. His school days were filled with rehearsals, performances, and creative pursuits. “I wasn’t too keen on academics, but my mother, Aruna, pushed me to excel. However, cultural activities were always my true love,” he reminisces.

Cinema became his ultimate inspiration. “Chiranjeevi garu’s songs were my childhood anthems. I would dance in front of the TV whenever his songs played. Prabhas garu’s films like Varsham and Chatrapathi captivated me,” he says. Despite his growing passion for acting, convincing his family was a challenge. “My father, Kakani Babu, co-produced Punya Dampathulu but warned me about the industry’s difficulties. Still, I couldn’t let go of my dream.”

At 22, Dharma launched a restaurant in Guntur to fund his acting aspirations. “The restaurant gave me financial independence to pursue my dream,” he reveals. He then joined Satyanand master’s acting institute in Vizag. “Satyanand master trained Prabhas, and his teachings became a cornerstone of my journey. His advice to treat acting as a penance still resonates with me,” says Dharma.

After completing his acting course in 2018, Dharma’s journey was briefly derailed by the pandemic. However, he soon landed his debut lead role in Drinker Sai. Released on December 27, the film received praise for his raw and rustic portrayal. “Initially, I played a character in the film Sindhooram, but it didn’t give me much exposure. Through Satyanand master, I got an opportunity to audition for another project, Drinker Sai. It feels surreal to see people acknowledge my performance,” he shares. The recognition has already opened doors. “I’ve received 25 calls from filmmakers this week!”