When an ambitious young man leaves his home turf to chase filmmaking dreams across foreign borders, reality doesn't always roll out the red carpet. That gritty, vulnerable intersection of modern relationships, middle-class family loans, and big ambitions forms the beating heart of Epic – First Semester.
Fronted by the proven pair Anand Deverakonda and Vaishnavi Chaitanya, the film marks the silver-screen directorial entry of Aditya Hasan, the storyteller who charmed audiences with #90s - A Middle Class Biopic. Bankrolled by Suryadevara Naga Vamsi and Sai Soujanya under Sithara Entertainments and Fortune Four Cinemas, the film is locked for a grand worldwide release on September 11, 2026, preceded by exclusive preview premieres on September 10.
The film's trailer dropped to enthusiastic fanfare in Hyderabad, with National Crush Rashmika Mandanna and director Shiva Nirvana joining as guests of honour.
"Vadhina's Support Means Everything": Anand Deverakonda on Love, Vulnerability & Epic Taking the microphone, Anand Deverakonda spoke from the heart about family bonds and why this script chose him:
"First, my deepest thanks to our 'Vadhina' Rashmika for showing up and standing by us. Having that kind of genuine family encouragement at every step is a blessing I don't take for granted.
People ask why the movie is called 'Epic'. We usually think of grand wars or kings when we hear that word, but life has its own quiet epic moments. When you're sitting alone, overwhelmed by failure, and the person who loves you walks up, wraps you in a silent hug, or kisses your forehead—that moment becomes epic. Aditya writes from deep human observation. This story carries the innocence of 'Ye Maaya Chesave' blended with the fresh, youthful pulse of 'Premalu'. It felt like therapy playing Aditya on screen, and I believe audiences will see their own unresolved emotions reflected right back at them."
— Anand Deverakonda
"Kadali Will Win Every Heart": Rashmika Mandanna’s High Praise Sharing her excitement after watching the trailer, Rashmika Mandanna commended the dedication behind the production:
Praise for Anand’s Grind: "Anand eats, breathes, and lives for cinema. He isn't chasing noise; he genuinely labors over the craft. Seeing how much heart he puts into every frame is inspiring."
Applause for Vaishnavi & Aditya: "I have heard incredible things about the character Kadali—Vaishnavi has poured sheer honesty into it, and audiences will fall in love with her work all over again. As for Aditya, carrying the expectations after a phenomenon like '#90s' isn't easy, but he has handled the step up with confidence. I’ll definitely be seated in the theater for the September 10 premieres!"
The Anatomy of the Trailer: Real Struggles Over Fluff The newly unveiled trailer strikes a chord by refusing to romanticize the foreign student experience:
The Overseas Reality Check: From juggling part-time survival gigs to confronting uncomfortable phone conversations about educational debt and family expectations, the dialogue cuts deep into middle-class aspirations.
Grace in Separation: Unlike conventional angry breakup tropes, the dynamic between Anand and Vaishnavi’s Kadali searches for maturity: "If two people part ways, must it always end with mutual blame and wounded pride?"
Shivaji’s Emotional Anchor: Veteran actor Shivaji—who plays a key narrative pillar alongside actress Vasuki—noted that the film's climax packs a massive wallop that crosses generational boundaries, promising that Chapter 2 will push the canvas even wider.
Acoustic Brilliance by Hesham: Music maestro Hesham Abdul Wahab crafts an ambient, raga-infused indie soundscape, beautifully complemented by Azeem Mohammed’s natural lighting and Naveen Nooli’s crisp editing.
Industry filmmakers in attendance, including Shiva Nirvana, Sailesh Kolanu, Vinod Anantoju, Kalyan Shankar, and Sai Marthand, echoed that Aditya Hasan has successfully detached Anand and Vaishnavi from their Baby shadows, giving them an entirely original, refreshing dynamic to inhabit.
