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 Comedy actor Shiva Reddy needs no introduction. He has carved a special place for himself in the hearts of Andhra audience with his inimitable comedy portrayal. He has won lots of fans and admirers through his stage performances in India and abroad especially in the USA. Tollywoodinfo.com caught up with this talented young man at Atlanta where he is performing at the silver jubilee celebrations of TAMA (Telugu Association of Metro Atlanta).Tollywoodinfo: Hello Shiva Reddy garu? Thanks for your time. Shiva Reddy: Hello. It’s my pleasure.  Tollywoodinfo: Can you please give your family details?Shiva Reddy: I hail from Ramagundam, Karimnagar district. My father was an agriculturist and my mother is a housewife. We are a large family of 6 boys and 2 girls and I am the 5th son. I spent all of my childhood in Ramagundam. As a child, I was very interested in songs and dances. I used to dance for my school cultural programs. My father used to take me to the temple where I used to sing devotional songs. Tollywoodinfo: Where did you first discover your talent at Mimicry? Shiva Reddy: During my school days, I used to perform on the stage and imitate my teachers and principal. Also, I used to imitate our temple priest to perfection. Everybody used to appreciate me and I used to enjoy the applause. This brought me closer to every town. Since then I decide to pursue my talent. Tollywoodinfo: How did you get your first break? Shiva Reddy: After the completion of my 10th class, I went to Madras to act in movies. Although everyone appreciated my talent they said I needed to wait since I was still young. I came to Warangal to my sister’s place and a gentleman named Sri. Nellutla Praveen Chandra offered me chance in Doordarshan. Late Sri. Sarangapani garu (renowned folk artist) encouraged me by taking me with him in all his programs. I performed extensively in all his programs. In the process, I earned goodwill and respect of people of Warangal district. I met filmmaker Sana Yadi Reddy and he asked me to narrate few comedy anecdotes to him. He liked my performance and asked me if I could use these skits in his movie. I agreed and told him my interest in the movie field. He gave me my first opportunity in a movie titled 'Pittala Dora' which was my first movie as an artist. He granted me opportunities in all his next ventures of which 'Bachelors' was a good success. Tollywoodinfo: How about subsequent opportunities in movies? Shiva Reddy: After Bachelors, I got an offer to act in a movie called 'Ammai Kosam' directed by Muppalaneni Siva on prestigious Eetaram banner. I was one of 4 heroes in the movie. After this movie, I got many roles like Anandam, Avunu Vallu Iddaru Istapaddaru, Manasantha Nuvve, Athade Oka Sainyam, Vasantham, Naaga, and Nenunnanu among many others. Tollywoodinfo: Awards and recognitions. Shiva Reddy: I won the Vamsi-Berkely award for Athade Oka Sainyam and Bharata-Muni award for Ammai Kosam. I also won the prestigious Relangi award and Yuvatarang award. Tollywoodinfo: Favorite comedian/comedy artist. Shiva Reddy: I like Rajendra Prasad garu and his movies. He is a very talented actor. Tollywoodinfo: You are acting in Stalin with Megastar. What are your feelings? Shiva Reddy: It was my childhood dream to touch Chiranjeevi and talk to him at-least 2 minutes. God blessed me with an opportunity to act with Megastar in his forthcoming Stalin. He is a very humble man and treats me like his own brother. I developed severe leg pain during the shooting and he showed concern like an elder brother. He would enquire all the time about the pain and recommended medication to me. He gave me valuable inputs during my performance in Stalin and this helped me to do better. He treats everyone on the set with respect. He is a great actor and even better human being.  Tollywoodinfo: You are performing on a frequent basis in the USA. Your programs are becoming huge success here. What are your feelings on the response of the US audience? Shiva Reddy: I have no words to express my joy and happiness. I received a standing ovation for my performance in 2004 when I came with Koti garu. I became very moved emotionally seeing the audience response. The response is on par with the response I get from India. I bow to all the audience for encouraging my talent and am looking for an unflinching support from all the US Telugu audience. Tollywoodinfo: Shiva Reddy is a very talented comedy artist but many of your admirers feel that you still did not get your due in Telugu films. Shiva Reddy: It is the question of time. One has to wait for his time. Chiranjeevi garu is my role model and he became a Megastar only after years of hard work and determination. After working with him in Stalin, I learnt to be more patient and hopefully after Stalin my career as a comedy actor in movies will grow. Tollywoodinfo: Shiva Reddy garu, we thank you for your time. We wish you all the best in your career - as film actor and stage performer. Shiva Reddy: Thank you very much for your wishes. Check out one of Shiva reddy’s recent programs brochure published in USA by a local Telugu association.    |