At the Mumbai press conference for Mirai, actor Teja Sajja was asked a pointed question about why he often takes up roles in films that carry religious or spiritual elements. The young star, who rose to nationwide recognition with Hanu-Man (2024), did not shy away from addressing the query head-on.
“I guess I don’t understand the question. Why don’t people ask other actors why they are doing love stories again and again and again? Why are you asking me this? When we are trying to show our Dharma, we must be proud of it. This is our land,” Teja firmly responded, earning applause from the gathered audience.
He elaborated further on the intentions behind his films, clarifying that they are not solely about religion but carry layered narratives:
“What I would like to say is, these are our morals, and moreover this is just a 3m10s trailer. Out of that, only 10 seconds show Lord Rama darshan. For that, you are asking me about religion. This film has fantasy, action, and adventure. Even in Hanu-Man, it was a superhero movie. I had a sister in the film, that emotion was different. We are trying to bring out a small moral or a connection with our Itihas in a very cool way. The younger generation ought to be happy that we are telling our history in such a cool way.”
Riding High on Hanu-Man’s Success
Teja’s previous outing, Hanu-Man, turned into a massive box office hit, solidifying his position as one of the most promising actors in Telugu cinema. His ability to connect with both traditional storytelling and contemporary cinematic sensibilities has made him a face to watch in the pan-Indian film space.
With Mirai (also marketed as Mirāi: Super Yodha), Teja Sajja steps into yet another ambitious project. Directed by Karthik Gattamneni and produced by TG Vishwa Prasad and Krithi Prasad under People Media Factory, the fantasy action-adventure is slated for release on September 12, 2025. The ensemble cast includes Manchu Manoj, Ritika Nayak, Shriya Saran, Jagapathi Babu, and Jayaram.
Karan Johar Backs the Vision
The Mumbai event also saw filmmaker Karan Johar formally extend his support to the project. Presenting Mirai in Hindi under Dharma Productions, Johar praised the vision of the makers.
“I am deeply privileged and honored to present Mirai. I congratulate TG Vishwa Prasad sir. His tremendous passion is what brought him here. We don’t work based on numbers or calculations; we go by passion and instinct. Karthik is an immensely successful cinematographer, and he put his heart and soul into Mirai,” Johar said.
He lauded the team’s ability to achieve cinematic scale despite financial constraints:
“The budget is tight, but the vision is large. The vision is worth a thousand crores. When I saw the world of Mirai, I was blown away. Not just because it is deeply rooted in our Itihas, but because its storytelling is deeply rooted. I literally got goosebumps watching the interval block.”
Bollywood’s Present and Future
Johar also addressed broader questions about the current state of Bollywood, which has seen mixed fortunes at the box office in 2025. While films like Chhaava and Saiyaara emerged as big successes, several others failed to make an impact.
“Aisa kuch nahi hai, sir. Every film has its own destiny and story. Many big star films have worked, and some haven’t. You can’t put everything in a box. The audience is god. They will decide what to give love, business, and respect to,” Johar remarked.
He acknowledged that actors and producers are adapting to the changing times, with star fees and budgets being reassessed. “All the actors have started understanding now that they have to contribute to the film’s vision. Everybody has become understanding of our times,” he said, pointing out that the industry’s future lies in diverse storytelling rather than formula-driven projects.
The Road Ahead for Mirai
As Mirai builds momentum across India, supported by major production houses and strong promotional campaigns, the film is being positioned as one of 2025’s biggest cinematic spectacles. For Teja Sajja, who has already proven his mettle with Hanu-Man, the project represents not just another starring role but a defining chapter in his journey as a pan-Indian actor.
With his grounded yet bold response at the press conference, Teja has not only defended his artistic choices but also set the tone for what Mirai aims to be — a proud celebration of culture, morality, fantasy, and cinema at its grandest.
