Chetan Krishna Maddineni: Journey from short films to silver screen

With his talent and dedication, Chetan Krishna Maddineni is an actor who is thriving to make a name for himself in the industry.

Hyderabad: Chetan Krishna Maddineni, best known for his role as Raju in First Rank Raju, has gained recognition for himself in the Telugu film industry with his innocent expressions and natural acting. From his early days making short films in college to becoming a recognised face in cinema, his journey has been filled with passion, challenges and determination.

A Passion for Cinema from College Days

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Born in Vizag, Chetan spent some time in the U S before returning to complete his engineering at Andhra University. His love for films began during his college days when short films were a trend. “During that time, everyone in engineering either acted, directed, or produced a short film before graduating. It was like a ritual,” he recalls.

With his pocket money, he even produced a feature-length independent film. His father, impressed by his work, encouraged him to take acting seriously. This led Chetan to join the renowned Satyanand Acting School in Vizag, where many top actors had trained.

The Breakthrough Role

Soon after his training, Chetan landed his first major role in Rojulu Marayi, produced by Dil Raju and written by director Maruthi. “It was a big project, and I was lucky to be selected,” he says. The film performed well, opening doors to more opportunities, including Gulf and First Rank Raju, which became his most popular film.

“First Rank Raju gained immense popularity on OTT and television. Even today, Zee Telugu telecasts it frequently, and people recognise me for that role,” he shares.
Challenges in the Film Industry

While Chetan has enjoyed success, he acknowledges the struggles actors face. “People think actors can easily find good scripts, but that’s far from reality. There are very few well-written scripts available and most go to top stars first,” he explains.

He also emphasises the importance of word-of-mouth publicity in the industry. “Dil Raju Garu once told me, ‘If a movie is good, people will spread the word. No review can save or destroy a film. It all depends on audience reception.’”

Unexpected Fan Encounters

Chetan recalls a surprising moment after the COVID-19 pandemic. “Before the lockdown, First Rank Raju was popular, but after the pandemic, it exploded. When I attended a wedding in Rajahmundry, people kept asking for selfies. That’s when I realised how much the film had grown in popularity.”

Future Aspirations

Despite his success, Chetan is aiming for the next big step in his career. “I want to establish myself as a marketable actor, someone who guarantees box office collections. Right now, I’m known, but I want to reach a star status where audience come to theaters just for my film.”

While he has a background in directing short films, his focus remains on acting. “For now, I see myself only as an actor. Maybe in the future, I’ll explore direction, but my goal is to entertain a wider audience as an actor.”

No Plan B—Only Acting

For Chetan, acting is not just a career but a calling. When asked what he would have done if he weren’t an actor, he responds, “I would keep trying to become one. I never considered any other profession.”

With his talent and dedication, Chetan Krishna Maddineni is an actor who is thriving to make a name for himself in the industry.