The youthful entertainer “Epic – First Semester”, starring the “Baby” pair Anand Deverakonda and Vaishnavi Chaitanya, is set to hit theatres worldwide on September 11, 2026. Ahead of the release, Vaishnavi spoke about the film, her character, working with Anand again, her upcoming projects and her aspirations.
About ‘Epic – First Semester’
Vaishnavi said “Epic – First Semester” offers a different take on a love story, focusing on the relationship and conversations between two people with contrasting personalities.
“We have seen many love stories, but every love story has something unique about it. Two people with different paths and mindsets go to the UK for their studies and meet there. They live together, and the film revolves around the private conversations they have with each other. The girl looks at life in one way, while the boy sees it differently. How they meet and their perspectives bring freshness to the story. There is no unnecessary extravaganza in the film. It is a story that touches your heart,” she said.
Talking about Anand Deverakonda’s character, Aditya, she said, “Anand’s character Aditya is soft and calm. What makes his journey interesting is what he learns from the experiences he encounters in life.”
Vaishnavi also said that reuniting with Anand after “Baby” did not put any pressure on them, as the two films are completely different. She also praised director Aditya Hasan for his unique approach to storytelling.
On whether families can watch the film, she said, “Definitely. Family audiences can watch the film. Since we talk about a live-in relationship, ‘Epic’ may not be as clean an entertainer as the web series ‘90s’. However, director Aditya has shown only what is required for the story while keeping family audiences in mind.”
About her character Kadali
Vaishnavi plays Kadali, a strong and independent young woman who knows what she wants.
“I play Kadali, a strong girl who stands up for herself. She has clarity and knows what she wants,” she said.
She believes the character has a connection with everyone. “There is a Kadali in everyone. But because of family or society, that version of ourselves often remains within us and doesn’t come out. At some point in life, everyone has to stand up for themselves. That is why Kadali is a character very close to my heart.”
From sister to heroine
Vaishnavi spoke positively about working with Sithara Entertainments and producer Suryadevara Naga Vamsi. She also recalled her earlier association with the banner through “Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo”, in which she played a sister.
“Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo gave me the hope that everyone can set big goals in life. It made me believe that if we set big goals, we can achieve them. Experiencing something like this in my own life is extremely happy and difficult to express in words,” she said.
On being a Telugu girl in cinema
Vaishnavi said she is happy to be among the Telugu actresses making their mark in the film industry.
“I am extremely happy. The support of my parents, the film industry and the audience has brought me this far. Many Telugu girls are making their mark in the film industry with their own individuality, and I am happy to be one among them,” she said.
Her upcoming films
Vaishnavi revealed that she has several projects in the pipeline.
“I am currently doing a film with Nithiin garu under the Sithara banner. I am also working on two Tamil films and one Hindi film,” she said.