Vijay Deverakonda Earned the Freedom of a ‘Nepo Kid’

Actors who come from a film background often enjoy not just privileges but also the freedom to reject scripts they don’t like and speak their minds. But for outsiders trying to make it big in the industry, that kind of freedom doesn’t come easily—it must be earned through struggle.

Vijay Deverakonda, who carved his own path in the film world, says he has finally reached a stage where he can confidently turn down offers that don’t interest him. “I’ve worked all these years to earn the freedom to say no. Now I have the courage and liberty to reject scripts I don’t believe in and express myself openly,” he said.

He added, “If you’re not from a big film family and don’t have industry backing, you can’t just say no to a script. You can’t tell the director or producer that the script needs more work or that you don’t want to do the film. I know actors who can say that confidently, because they have that background, that support. They have fathers who’ll tell them, ‘Take a break, I’ll hire two or three writers for you.’ I never had that privilege. Only now I’m starting to claim that freedom—I say clearly if I don’t want to do something. I’ve reached that level.”

Vijay also admitted that some filmmakers still oppose his assertiveness, but he takes the final call on what projects he chooses. He said he doesn’t care for tags or titles, and that being remembered by his name is enough. “I don’t need labels. But I don’t know how long I’ll be able to stay without one,” he said.