Rather than relying on formulaic hero-centric tropes, Anand Deverakonda has made a conscious habit of anchoring his films in tangible, everyday dilemmas. Teaming up once again with Vaishnavi Chaitanya, he returns to the silver screen with Epic – First Semester, arriving in theatres worldwide on September 11, 2026 (with select premiere screenings lighting up screens on September 10).

Directed by Aditya Hasan—who struck an emotional chord across Telugu households with the universally adored series #90s – A Middle Class Biopic—and produced by Suryadevara Naga Vamsi and Sai Soujanya under Sithara Entertainments and Fortune Four Cinemas (presented by Srikara Studios), the film shifts the spotlight from high drama to the tender complexities of young adulthood.

Sitting down for an extensive conversation ahead of the premiere, Anand opened up about drawing from his own years as a student in America, addressing the live-in narrative with maturity, and how quiet encouragement from within his family circle helped clear the release anxiety.

"No Gunshots, Just Pure Truth": Revisiting Trivikram’s Lesson Recalling a thought from Trivikram Srinivas that shaped his outlook toward the film, Anand emphasized why understated storytelling often hits the hardest:

"Trivikram garu once shared an enduring piece of advice: a simple, ordinary story must be told with immense narrative conviction. You don't need exaggerated plot twists, excessive bloodshed, or deafening background music to make people care. 'Epic' breathes that exact philosophy.

The story tracks an unassuming boy from Wanaparthy who shelves his own creative dreams to board an international flight purely to honor his parents' hopes. The isolation of an unfamiliar country, the struggle of adjusting to a foreign academic rhythm, and the sudden comfort of companionship change his perception of everything. Entering a live-in space isn't treated as a flashy gimmick—it is shown as two fragile, homesick souls navigating survival together. Aditya has written it with such grace that family audiences will never feel uneasy."

A Lived Experience: From America to the Silver Screen Having spent his early twenties working and studying in the US, Anand found an instant, deeply personal bridge into the narrative:

100% Honest Recall: "The moment Aditya narrated the scenes of budget cooking, shared apartments, and long-distance calls back home, I felt like someone had quietly opened my old journal. Whether a student is navigating Birmingham, Dallas, Melbourne, or Berlin, the core emotion remains the same: balancing educational debt with the pressure to establish a career, all while desperately seeking emotional grounding."

The Anatomy of a Confused Protagonist: "Aditya, the character I portray, is gentle but burdened by doubt. Should he follow his personal passion or adhere to the script written by his family? Is what he shares with Kadali true, lasting love, or an emotional shelter born out of foreign loneliness? Can they survive a lifetime together? These are the real, unspoken questions running through every 24-year-old's mind."

Separating Baby from Epic: A Distinct Creative Space Acknowledging that cinephiles would naturally reference their previous blockbuster collaboration, Anand drew a clear distinction:

A Contrasting Rhythm: "If 'Baby' was an intense, high-decibel heartbreak that took the box office by storm, 'Epic' is an intimate, reflective journey. The two films share entirely different DNA. Our combination might spark initial curiosity, but the soulful simplicity of '#90s' and Aditya Hasan’s authentic dialogue will hold audiences in their seats."

The Emotional Universe of '#90s': Clarifying the connection with the web series, Anand explained: "It isn't a direct sequel, but it naturally sprouts from that very world. It explores what happens when the younger son finally leaves the small-town nest to step into the wider world. The parental presence is brief, precise, and emotionally vital."

The Resilience of Kadali: Praising Vaishnavi Chaitanya's performance, he added: "Kadali mirrors the quiet strength of countless modern young women. Outward composure often masks deep familial burdens and unspoken fears. Vaishnavi brings a wonderful, dignified vulnerability to that balance."

Home Comfort and an Exciting Slate Ahead When asked whether film strategies and release schedules are debated around the family table with his brother Vijay Deverakonda and sister-in-law Rashmika Mandanna, Anand shared a touching personal note:

"We keep work discussions very minimal at home. But during the final push, when picking the right release window felt stressful, Rashmika provided calm, reassuring support and stood by me throughout. Having that steady, positive energy around makes a massive difference."

Looking toward his future releases, Anand confirmed that his creative pipeline is broader than ever:

The complete shoot for the rugged drama Takshakudu is wrapped.

An innovative Indo-Korean feature collaboration is also fully shot and progressing through post-production.

With advance ticket counters witnessing strong momentum for the September 10 premiere shows, Epic – First Semester is set to offer a heartfelt, deeply relatable portrait of modern youth and relationships on September 11, 2026!