Nani, who hails from Andhra Pradesh, has emerged as one of the most loved stars of Telugu cinema across regions.
Vijay Deverakonda, on the other hand, comes from Telangana and enjoys a massive fan following, especially among the youth.
Interestingly, both actors are now stepping out of their comfort zones by embracing regional identities different from their own.
Nani made a striking shift with Dasara, delivering a career-defining performance as a coal mines worker from Telangana, complete with the region’s distinct dialect.
He continues this trajectory in his upcoming film The Paradise, where he plays Jadalu, a gritty character from the Secunderabad region, sporting braids, body tattoos, and once again speaking in a Telangana accent. One of his tattoos even boldly defines his rebellious persona.
Vijay Deverakonda, meanwhile, is moving in the opposite direction. In Rowdy Janardhana, he plays a coastal Andhra character and speaks in the Uttarandhra slang, a departure from his earlier roles.
The recently released title glimpse clearly highlights this shift. Adding to the contrast, Vijay will also be seen as a Rayalaseema man in another upcoming film directed by Shyam Singha Roy fame Rahul Sankrityan, where he adopts the Seema dialect.
With both stars fearlessly experimenting with regional slangs and rooted characters, Telugu cinema is witnessing an interesting crossover that adds authenticity and freshness to their performances.