NIT degree, high-paying job in UK. Quit all without informing parents to be a Telugu actor. Now, he charges Rs 15 crore

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Naveen Polishetty left a stable corporate job in the UK to pursue acting. He honed his skills in theatre and online sketches before his breakthrough in Telugu cinema. His films, like Agent Sai Srinivasa Athreya and Jathi Ratnalu brought him fame. Now a bankab…

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Not every success story begins on a film set. For many actors, the journey starts in classrooms, offices, and completely different career paths. Some follow a family legacy in cinema, while others take a leap of faith, leaving behind stability to chase a dream. Naveen Polishetty is one such example. Known for his sharp comic timing and relatable performances, he has carved a niche for himself in the Telugu industry. Interestingly, he is often seen as a "one-man army" who not only acts but also contributes creatively to his films, from writing to promotions. While he may take time between projects, his films have consistently delivered at the box office.

From engineering to acting: Journey of Naveen Polishetty

Naveen Polishetty was born on December 27, 1989, in Hyderabad, into a middle-class family. His father worked in the pharmaceutical sector, while his mother was a bank employee. Like many students, he followed a conventional academic path and went on to pursue Civil Engineering at the Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology (NIT Bhopal).

After completing his degree, Naveen began working in Pune and later moved to the UK for a well-paying corporate job, as he shared during an interview with Tree Media in 2022. On paper, everything seemed perfect, financial security, a stable career, and a promising future. However, deep down, he felt something was missing. Acting had always been his passion, and the corporate life did not bring him the satisfaction he was looking for.

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In a bold and risky move, he decided to quit his job and return to India, without even informing his parents. Starting over in Mumbai, he took up part-time jobs and immersed himself in theatre. This phase of struggle helped him sharpen his skills and understand the craft better. Despite being academically strong, he chose not to follow a conventional career path, staying true to his childhood dream of becoming an actor.

In an interview with The News Minute, Naveen once humorously explained why he pursued engineering despite his love for acting. He joked that an engineering college is the best place to “learn acting,” as students constantly pretend to understand subjects, stay attentive in class, or appear confident during exams. His witty take reflected both his humour and his ability to find storytelling in everyday life.

Rise to fame and big success

Naveen’s journey in films began with a small role in Life Is Beautiful (2012) alongside Vijay Deverakonda and Shriya Saran. He also appeared briefly in films like 1: Nenokkadine. Alongside this, he collaborated with digital platforms like All India Bakchod and rose to fame through online sketches.

His big breakthrough came with Agent Sai Srinivasa Athreya (2019), where he played the lead role and impressed audiences with his performance and writing. The film established him as a promising talent in Telugu cinema. In the same year, he also made his Hindi debut with Chhichhore.

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He followed this up with the blockbuster comedy Jathi Ratnalu (2021). In 2023, he starred opposite Anushka Shetty in Miss Shetty Mr Polishetty.

His latest success came with Anaganaga Oka Raju (2026), which turned out to be a major hit, earning over Rs 100 crore globally, according to Sacnilk.com. The film not only boosted his popularity but also made his place as a bankable star.

With success came bigger opportunities. According to OTTplay and 123Telugu report, it states that Naveen Polishetty has signed a major project with the makers of Pushpa. With this new film, his remuneration has reportedly jumped to around Rs 15 crore, almost three times what he earned earlier.

From quitting a high-paying job in the UK to becoming one of the most sought-after actors in Telugu cinema, Naveen Polishetty’s journey shows us that taking risks can sometimes lead to extraordinary outcomes. Stay tuned!

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