Telugu cinema’s rising star Teja Sajja has publicly expressed his desire to collaborate with Bollywood heavyweight Karan Johar, specifically pitching himself for a signature Dharma Productions love story affectionately calling it a “chakachak Dharma love story.”
The comments came while Sajja was promoting the TV premiere of his recently released film Mirai in an interview with Zoom. Speaking fondly of Johar, Sajja didn’t mince words about his admiration, urging interviewers to pass along a direct appeal: “Ask him when he’s casting Teja in his chakachak Dharma love story.”
A Bollywood-Tollywood Rapport
This isn’t the first time Sajja and Johar have crossed paths professionally. Mirai, a high-profile pan-India fantasy action adventure starring Sajja, was presented in the Hindi belt by Dharma Productions after the filmmaker reportedly took a keen interest in the project’s teaser and overall effort. Sajja has publicly thanked Johar for the expanded platform the partnership provided his work outside the Telugu market.
While Johar has yet to formally respond to Sajja’s overture, the Telugu actor’s comments reflect a growing trend of South Indian talent seeking crossover opportunities in Bollywood, a space Johar has long dominated, especially with romantic dramas and star-studded love stories that defined much of Hindi cinema in the 1990s and 2000s.
Sajja’s Career Trajectory
Teja Sajja’s journey in Indian cinema spans decades. Beginning as a child actor at age three in Choodalani Vundi (1998), he featured in several films through the late 1990s and early 2000s alongside some of Telugu cinema’s biggest stars. His adult acting debut came with Oh! Baby (2019), followed by lead roles in films like Zombie Reddy, Ishq, and Adbhutham. Sajja’s breakout mainstream success, however, arrived with HanuMan (2024), which shattered box-office expectations and solidified his star status.
His latest outing, Mirai, with its extensive shooting schedule across locales from the Himalayas to Nepal and Bangkok, further broadened his appeal. The film’s Hindi distribution, courtesy of Dharma Productions, boosted his profile with audiences beyond the South.
What a ‘Dharma Love Story’ Implies
For Bollywood followers, a Dharma Productions romantic film often means glossy visuals, star-driven casting, melodic soundtracks, and sweeping emotional narratives, the kind that helped Karan Johar carve his niche with classics like Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham and Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna.
Potential Collaboration on the Cards?
Although a concrete project with Johar hasn’t been announced, Sajja didn’t dismiss the possibility of future collaborations. He noted that Johar and Dharma Productions are exploring varied avenues, and that he’s open to creative opportunities including content for OTT platforms that pique his interest.
Industry observers suggest Sajja’s proactive pitch could reflect a broader strategy: younger regional stars increasingly seeking pan-India visibility and roles that transcend linguistic boundaries. Whether Johar takes up the call remains to be seen, but Sajja’s public request has certainly sparked conversation across film circles.
By – Sonali