Anand Deverakonda and Vaishnavi Chaitanya are returning as a pair with “Epic – First Semester,” nearly three years after the success of “Baby.” Directed by Aditya Hasan, who shot to popularity with the web series 90s, the youthful love story is set for theatrical release on September 11, 2026. Ahead of the release, Anand interacted with the media and explained why he believes the film is much more than a conventional love story.
Anand Deverakonda on why Epic feels personal
Anand said “Epic” is built around an ordinary story but has been presented with strong emotions and relatable situations. Recalling Trivikram’s observation that even an ordinary story can become compelling when it is told strongly, Anand said the film follows that philosophy. The film centres on Aditya, a young man from Wanaparthy who gives up some of his own aspirations to fulfil his parents’ wishes and goes abroad for education. His outlook towards life changes after he moves away from home, falls in love with Kadali and eventually enters a live-in relationship with her.
The actor believes the film’s biggest strength is how naturally it handles these relationships and situations. While the live-in relationship is an important part of the story, Anand said director Aditya Hasan has treated the subject sensitively rather than making it uncomfortable for family audiences. The film also goes beyond romance to explore career choices, parental expectations, responsibilities and the emotional challenges faced by youngsters living away from home. Anand feels this is why the film can appeal not only to those who have gone abroad for studies but also to anyone who has experienced the feeling of being separated from their family.
Interestingly, Anand found a strong personal connection with his character. Having studied in the US, he said he immediately felt that several elements of Aditya’s journey were close to his own experiences when he first heard the story. The character is an innocent young man who is unsure about several important decisions in his life. He constantly questions whether he should follow his own wishes or his parents’ expectations, whether his feelings for Kadali are truly love, and whether he is ready to spend his life with her. Anand said these internal conflicts form an important part of the character and that every scene and dialogue has been designed to emotionally connect with the audience.
Anand Deverakonda on Baby comparisons, 90s connection and Vaishnavi’s role
The actor also addressed comparisons with “Baby,” given that he and Vaishnavi are sharing the screen again. Anand acknowledged that audiences will naturally associate the duo with their previous blockbuster, but stressed that “Epic” and “Baby” are completely different films. He described “Baby” as a sensation while calling “Epic” a beautiful journey. He also sees the involvement of Aditya Hasan as another positive factor, considering the popularity of 90s. However, he clarified that the film is not a sequel to the web series. The film has emerged from the world and characters of 90s, but focuses on the younger son Aditya and what happens when he leaves home to pursue his education abroad. Unlike 90s, which was primarily a family story, “Epic” is a love story that also retains natural humour and emotional warmth.
Anand also said that while he and his sister-in-law Rashmika Mandanna do not usually discuss films in detail, she supported him mentally when the team was dealing with uncertainty over the release date of Epic.
Looking ahead, Anand revealed that he has already completed shooting for “Takshakudu” and has also finished an Indo-Korean film.
