Tiger Nageswara Rao star Ravi Teja's lesser known Kannada connection dating to the '90s

The journey to becoming the bona fide, much-beloved 'Mass Maharaja' hasn't been an easy one for Ravi Teja. In fact, the actor's strife over the years to warrant to position he is in today is often cited as a case study in the Telugu Film Industry, as those around him often reflect upon his perseverance and tenacity. 

Today, as his massive legion of fans awaits the release of his first true-blue "pan-Indian" film, Tiger Nageswara Rao, one cannot help but take a peek of hindsight to casually wonder where it all began for him. And fascinatingly, Kannada cinema patrons would be interested in knowing that one of Ravi Teja's very first acting roles came about in a Kannada film, way back in 1990.

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Yes, close to three-and-a-half decades ago, Ravi Teja would get his first break as an actor in a Telugu film titled Karthavyam (a cult action film starring Vijayashanti) but his appearance in the film went uncredited. The same year, he would land a bit role in the Crazy Star Ravichandran starrer Abhimanyu (Kannada film) but unfortunately, that part, too, wouldn't fetch him the much-sought credit. 

Interestingly, this bit of lesser-known trivia has surfaced on social media on the back of Ravi Teja's recent innocuous comments about KGF 2 star Yash. While a few users have shared the clip from the 1990 film Abhimanyu to remind the actor and everyone around that his journey, so to speak, in the very industry that Yash found superstardom, others have chosen to share it so as to spread some good cheer. 

Also Read: Ravi Teja calls Yash ‘Lucky’ star; Rocking Star fans take offence

As far as Ravi Teja's career is concerned, the actor had to navigate the '90s with struggles and disappointments but he continued to remain relevant through his stints as both an assistant director (Aaj Ka Goonda Raj, Criminal, Ninne Pelladata, etc.) and as a character actor in films like Sindhooram, Seetha Rama Raju and Annayya. His first major success, though, as a lead actor came about in 2001 with Itlu Sravani Subramanyam and since then, there's been no turning back for him. Some of Ravi Teja's best credits are Idiot, Khadgam, Amma Nanna O Tamila Ammayi, Naa Autograph, Vikramarkudu, Dubai Seenu and Kick.