Telugu cinema has always been a treasure trove of compelling storytelling, larger-than-life characters, and unforgettable performances. In this rich tapestry of cinematic excellence, Teja Sajja stands out as a unique artist who has literally grown up on screen, transforming from one of Telugu cinema’s most recognizable child actors to an emerging leading man. Born on August 23, 1994, Teja Sajja made his debut at the tender age of two and has since appeared in over fifty films, creating a remarkable journey that spans more than two decades of Telugu cinema.
Top 10 Telugu Movies of Teja Sajja
His evolution from “Master Teja” – the beloved child actor who shared screen space with megastars like Chiranjeevi, Prabhas, and Allu Arjun – to the superhero lead of “Hanu-Man” represents one of the most fascinating career trajectories in contemporary Telugu cinema. Here are the top 10 Telugu movies that define Teja Sajja’s incredible journey through the world of cinema.
1. Hanu-Man (2024)
Director: Prasanth Varma
Lead Cast: Teja Sajja, Amritha Aiyer, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, Vinay Rai
Brief Plot Summary: This superhero origin narrative, which is set in the made-up village of Anjanadri, centers on Hanumanthu (Teja Sajja), a regular young man who acquires miraculous abilities from Lord Hanuman and is forced to utilize them to defend his community against malevolent forces commanded by the antagonist Michael.
Why it’s a must-watch: This film marks Teja Sajja’s breakthrough as a leading man and represents a landmark achievement in Telugu superhero cinema. The movie became a massive pan-India success, proving that regional cinema could create globally appealing superhero content with strong cultural roots.
Key highlights: The film’s unique blend of Indian mythology with modern superhero storytelling, impressive VFX on a modest budget, and Teja Sajja’s charismatic performance that convinced audiences of his transition from child actor to hero.
2. Choodalani Vundi (1998)
Director: Gunasekhar
Lead Cast: Chiranjeevi, Soundarya, Anjala Zaveri, Prakash Raj
Brief Plot Summary: The film follows Ramakrishna (Chiranjeevi), who seeks revenge against his father-in-law who framed him for his wife’s death and kidnapped their son. Teja Sajja played the crucial role of Ramakrishna’s son.
Why it’s a must-watch: This film holds immense significance as it marked Teja Sajja’s debut at age two, making him one of the youngest debutants in Telugu cinema. It showcased his natural screen presence even as a toddler and began his long association with megastar Chiranjeevi.
Key highlights: The emotional father-son bonding scenes and the film’s successful blend of action and family drama that became a template for many subsequent Telugu films.
3. Indra (2002)
Director: B. Gopal
Lead Cast: Chiranjeevi, Aarthi Agarwal, Sonali Bendre
Brief Plot Summary: This epic action drama tells the story of Indrasena Reddy, a man striving to maintain peace between two feuding families while dealing with complex family relationships and social justice.
Why it’s a must-watch: Indra is considered one of Telugu cinema’s greatest commercial entertainers, and Teja Sajja’s portrayal of young Indrasena Reddy was pivotal to the film’s emotional core. His performance in the iconic introduction scene became legendary among fans.
Key highlights: The film’s grand scale, memorable dialogues, and Teja Sajja’s confident portrayal of the younger version of Chiranjeevi’s character that perfectly captured the hero’s essence.
4. Zombie Reddy (2021)
Director: Prasanth Varma
Lead Cast: Teja Sajja, Anandhi, Daksha Nagarkar
Brief Plot Summary: A zombie-comedy experience is created when Mario (Teja Sajja), a game creator, and his pals become entangled in local family disputes while surviving a zombie apocalypse in Rayalaseema.
Why it’s a must-watch: This film marked Teja Sajja’s first attempt at carrying a film as the lead actor and introduced Telugu audiences to the zombie genre. It showcased his versatility and comic timing while handling action sequences.
Key highlights: The film’s innovative approach to combining zombie horror with Telugu nativity, and Teja Sajja’s earnest performance that earned him the SIIMA Award for Most Promising Newcomer.
5. Chatrapathi (2005)
Director: S.S. Rajamouli
Lead Cast: Prabhas, Shriya Saran, Bhanupriya
Brief Plot Summary: The story of Ashok (Prabhas), who rises from being a refugee to becoming a leader who fights for justice and protects the oppressed, with strong themes of brotherhood and social justice.
Why it’s a must-watch: Working with acclaimed director S.S. Rajamouli and playing young Ashok in this epic action drama gave Teja Sajja exposure to high-quality filmmaking. The film is considered one of Rajamouli’s finest works before his Baahubali fame.
Key highlights: The film’s outstanding action choreography, emotional depth, and Teja Sajja’s authentic portrayal of the young version of Prabhas’s character.
6. Gangotri (2003)
Director: K. Raghavendra Rao
Lead Cast: Allu Arjun, Aditi Agarwal
Brief Plot Summary: This romantic drama marks Allu Arjun’s debut as Simhadri, a devoted young man who falls in love with Gangotri but faces numerous obstacles due to family and social circumstances.
Why it’s a must-watch: The film launched Allu Arjun’s career and featured Teja Sajja as young Simhadri, establishing him as a reliable child actor who could effectively portray the younger versions of star heroes.
Key highlights: Beautiful cinematography, melodious music by M.M. Keeravani, and Teja Sajja’s charming performance that captured Allu Arjun’s screen charisma.
7. Oh! Baby (2019)
Director: B.V. Nandini Reddy
Lead Cast: Samantha Akkineni, Lakshmi, Rajendra Prasad
Brief Plot Summary: A 70-year-old woman gets a magical second chance at youth and lives life as a 20-year-old, leading to hilarious and heartwarming situations with her family, including her grandson Rocky (Teja Sajja).
Why it’s a must-watch: This film marked Teja Sajja’s transition into adult roles as Samantha’s grandson, showcasing his maturity as an actor and his ability to hold his own alongside established stars.
Key highlights: The film’s unique concept, Samantha’s brilliant performance, and Teja Sajja’s natural chemistry with the cast that proved his potential as a leading man.
8. Tagore (2003)
Director: V.V. Vinayak
Lead Cast: Chiranjeevi, Shriya Saran, Jyothika
Brief Plot Summary: The story follows Tagore, a professor who fights against corruption in the education system and society, taking on powerful politicians and corrupt officials.
Why it’s a must-watch: This socially relevant film featured Teja Sajja as Tagore’s adopted son, and his emotional scenes with Chiranjeevi added depth to the family dynamics in this hard-hitting social drama.
Key highlights: The film’s powerful social message, outstanding performances, and Teja Sajja’s touching portrayal of a child caught in complex family circumstances.
9. Adbhutham (2021)
Director: Mallik Ram
Lead Cast: Teja Sajja, Shivani Rajashekar
Brief Plot Summary: A sci-fi romantic drama about Surya (Teja Sajja) and Vennela (Shivani Rajashekar) from different timelines who mysteriously connect through the same phone number, leading to an unusual love story.
Why it’s a must-watch: This film showcased Teja Sajja’s range as an actor, handling both emotional drama and sci-fi elements while carrying the entire film on his shoulders as the male lead.
Key highlights: The innovative time-travel concept, emotional depth of the love story, and Teja Sajja’s convincing performance in his debut as a solo lead actor.
10. Balu (2005)
Director: A. Karunakaran
Lead Cast: Pawan Kalyan, Shriya Saran, Neha Oberoi
Brief Plot Summary: Balu (Pawan Kalyan) helps the people of Mahankali market fight for their land rights while dealing with personal relationships and facing off against powerful antagonists.
Why it’s a must-watch: Playing Cherry in this Pawan Kalyan starrer, Teja Sajja demonstrated his ability to hold attention even in films with massive star presence, showcasing his screen confidence from a young age.
Key highlights: The film’s engaging narrative, strong social message, and Teja Sajja’s memorable performance that contributed to the film’s emotional quotient.
Upcoming Projects
Mirai (2025): Directed by Karthik Gattamneni, this mythological fantasy adventure featuring Teja Sajja as a “Super Yodha” is set to release on September 5, 2025.
Jai Hanuman (2025): The sequel to Hanu-Man, directed by Prasanth Varma, scheduled for release on September 12, 2025.
Conclusion
Teja Sajja’s journey through Telugu cinema represents a unique evolution rarely seen in the film industry. From his debut as a two-year-old to becoming a superhero lead, his career spans the golden era of Telugu cinema’s transformation. His filmography includes collaborations with legendary directors like S.S. Rajamouli, Gunasekhar, and V.V. Vinayak, alongside megastars like Chiranjeevi, Prabhas, and Pawan Kalyan.
What makes Teja Sajja’s career particularly fascinating is how he has successfully navigated the challenging transition from child actor to leading man – a feat that very few actors achieve globally. His recent success with “Hanu-Man” has established him as a promising new-generation hero capable of carrying big-budget films and delivering pan-India hits.
These ten films represent not just Teja Sajja’s personal journey but also chronicle the evolution of Telugu cinema itself – from family dramas and social films to superhero spectacles and sci-fi romances. As he prepares for his upcoming projects “Mirai” and “Jai Hanuman,” Teja Sajja continues to prove that talent, perseverance, and the right opportunities can create extraordinary careers in cinema.
His story serves as an inspiration to aspiring actors and stands as a testament to the enduring magic of Telugu cinema, where dreams take flight and ordinary individuals can indeed become extraordinary heroes, both on screen and off.
