Teenage actors flock to Tollywood!!!!

With stories of puppy love, college romances and teen heartbreaks becoming the Tollywood staple lately, there is a sudden influx of teenyboppers hitting the silver screen. As young as 16, these teen actors who not yet out of college are enjoying their first tryst with stardom and are learning to juggle their academics and acting careers.

Grabbing every free moment on the sets to catch up on their studies and using college vacation periods as shooting schedules, striking a balance is the mantra, says Rajeev, music director, Koti’s son and a student of Muffakam Jha College.

“Since I’m in my final year of engineering, we needn’t attend college every day. My friends always help me out with notes, so I’m not lagging behind,” says the actor who debuted with Notebook and is currently shooting for Manchivadu and another untitled film.

Special permission from colleges also bails out these young stars. Vyjayanthi, a second year intermediate student who has acted in Snehageetham says, “I study in Chennai and my college management granted me leave to shoot in Hyderabad. I’m in class XII and I can’t neglect my studies. I try and hit the books between my shots.”Dealing with academics and meeting the requirements of a demanding career is the least of their problems.

These young actors reveal that they also have to come to terms with the change in attitude of their friends. Suhani, barely 18, who has a few Telugu and Tamil films in her kitty, says, “I’m extra careful when choosing my friends, since many want to befriend me only because I’m an actor.”Understanding the price that comes with stardom, she adds,

“While it feels great to be an actor, life sure has changed for me. Stardom has brought recognition, but I’ve also had to give up on having a fun, college life.”Independent they may be, but definitely not unchaperoned. When it comes to managing finances, these teen actors turn to family. B. Ashok, a student of VNR VJIT and nephew of filmmaker B. Gopal, says, “For newcomers like me, dates are never a problem, but when it comes to managing finances, my dad helps me out. I concentrate on looking fit, learning to dance and act.”