A year after the blockbuster Tillu Square, Siddhu Jonnalagadda returns with his new Telugu film Jackwhich releases on April 10, written and directed by Bhaskar of Bommarillu fame. Over the past nine years — barring a brief role in Kalki(2019) — Jack marks the only project in which Siddhu has not worn multiple hats as co-writer, co-editor, or creative producer. It was, he admits, a welcome breather to focus solely on acting — the craft that first drew him to cinema.
“It was a relief,” says Siddhu. Although he experienced a few withdrawal symptoms, he resisted the temptation to involve himself in other departments. “Gradually, I began to enjoy focusing just on acting and nothing else. These days, it is rare to not be doing something all the time. I am reminded of an interview where Diljit Dosanjh said he enjoys taking a break by doing absolutely nothing. That’s the best way to reset and refresh.”
Siddhu Jonnalagadda in ‘Jack’
That said, Siddhu has not exactly taken it easy. When not filming Jackhe and his friend, director Ravikanth Perepu, have been busy completing three scripts, with more stories lined up for future projects.
Humour quotient
Jack is an investigative action entertainer, and Siddhu’s character brings a flair for humour. Ever since his hyperlocal one-liners as Tillu became a rage in Dj till and its sequel Tillu SquareSiddhu has cultivated an image as the “funny guy”. “People expect me to deliver fun lines, so Bhaskar sir and I decided not to take that away completely. I don’t want to shock the audience by suddenly becoming too serious or silent. At the same time, I am mindful of not getting stuck in that image,” he says. “Jack deals with larger issues, and while there’s humour, it doesn’t dilute the core of the story.”
Siddhu reflects, “When I was a struggling actor, I used to read about actors turning down films because they didn’t suit their image. I understand their point of view now.” That said, he is eager to take on roles that allow him to explore different shades. One of his upcoming projects, Telusu Kadadirected by Neeraja Kona, is an intense romantic drama.
Returning to JackSiddhu says his character’s name — Pablo Neruda — adds a layer of quirk and intrigue. “In the film, my mother is a fan of the Chilean poet and names me after him. When Bhaskar sir told me this, I found it interesting. A lot of youngsters today might know Pablo Escobar, but not the poet, so it might spark some curiosity.”
In many ways, Krishna and His Leelawhich had a direct digital release during the lockdown, was a breakthrough for Siddhu both as a co-writer and actor. But it was Tit that made him a household name. With Jack arriving after two Tit films, does it feel like a test? “Not at all. Every film is a new test,” he says with a smile.
The talkative one
Siddhu’s Character in Jack is also dialogue-heavy, much like Tit. In one scene from the trailer, his character even comments on his tendency to talk too much. That line, Siddhu reveals, was an on-set improvisation. “The opponent delivers a long monologue, which irritates my character — and that frustration comes out through humour,” he says.
Jack also marks Siddhu’s reunion with director Bhaskar, who he had worked with on the 2010 Telugu film Orangewhere he played a brief role. “Back then, Charan anna (Ram Charan) would have had detailed discussions with Bhaskar. This time, as the lead, we spoke a lot. It is important to understand the director’s vision when you are driving the story.”
Siddhu Jonnalagadda in ‘Jack’ | Photo Credit: Special arrangement
Following Jack and Telusu KadaSiddhu will begin work on Badassa film he has co-written with director Ravikanth Perepu. The duo, who have known each other for 15 years, first made their mark as collaborators with Krishna and His Leela. Both Ravikanth and Siddhu have experienced their share of struggles before stepping into the spotlight. Siddhu’s rise has been particularly meteoric in recent years, with Tillu Square crossing the ₹100-crore mark at the box office. Despite the success, Siddhu’s core circle of friends has helped keep him grounded. Ravikanth notes that no one in their group is a ‘yes man’ — debate and discussion are the norm.
Siddhu agrees. “That’s exactly why I trust them, they are not yes men. I’ve had my share of arguments with Ravikanth, and with Mallik ram (co-writer and director of Tillu Square). When we disagree, we take a step back and try to see things from the other person’s perspective.”
‘Structure doctor’
Ravikanth also points out Siddhu’s knack for analysing a script’s structure and knowing precisely when to introduce drama —he even calls him a “script structure doctor”. Siddhu credits this skill to observing editor Naveen Nooli during the Tit films. “Though I helped edit Krishna and His Leela and maa vintha gaadha vinumawatching how differently Naveen perceives a film taught me a lot. Now, working on a script again with Ravikanth, I’m able to apply that understanding.”
Siddhu Jonnalagadda | Photo Credit: Special arrangement
Siddhu’s writing process makes for an interesting case study. While the Tit films may appear to be light-hearted comedies on the surface, what makes the character resonate is the underlying angst — layered with sharp societal observations, from taxes to colourism. Whether it is cracking a joke about niche farm-to-fork marketing on Rana Daggubati’s show or voicing the frustrations of a man on the streets of Secunderabad, Siddhu straddles satire and sentiment with ease.
An engineer and MBA graduate who turned to acting, Siddhu says he is constantly absorbing the world around him — and that seeps into his writing. “When I was dealing with taxes, I didn’t understand the system at first and ranted about it. That rant became part of Tillu Square. I also follow marketing trends like the farm-to-table concept. But when I’m at a café, I just want coffee with regular milk and sugar. No alternative sweeteners or milks. I also prefer a proper menu card over scanning QR codes.” These everyday musings, he says, often find their way into his characters.
From manifesting a ₹100-crore film a few years ago to now achieving it, Siddhu remains optimistic about the road ahead. “Numbers do matter,” he says. “If a story needs to be told on a large scale, a producer will only invest if the actor has box office potential. So yes, money matters when it comes to realising a vision. But I’m drawn to stories and characters that are relevant.”
As a parting note, Siddhu confirms that Cube till is in development. “The franchise will grow when the right stories come along. We already have an idea for Cube, now we just need the right time to bring it to life.”
Published – April 09, 2025 02:55 PM is
