Dulquer Salmaan Talks About His Love For Hyderabad And The Telugu Film Industry

It is clear from Dulquer Salmaan's descriptions of Hyderabad and the Telugu film industry that the actor is smitten with everything the city has to offer, from the renowned biryani to the Baahubali film industry. “I love coming to Hyderabad. I have so many friends here. It always feels like a home away from home,” he explains. He adds, “There’s also something about the way the city embraces both the old and the new that intrigues me.”

According to Dulquer, this audience was familiar with him before he made his Tollywood debut with Mahanati. “I’ve always felt so welcomed here; because be it Bangalore Days or Ok Bangaram, people seemed aware of my work. I feel really loved and respected, which makes me want to be selective with the roles I say yes to in Telugu films. I want to give nothing but the best. I also love the language, it’s really expressive,” says the Sita Ramam actor. The actor admits that he frequently notices Telugu songs or movies playing at dhabas while on bike trips across the nation. “I feel like the country embraced Telugu films dubbed in other languages ages ago. It is because no matter where I went there would often be songs or films from here playing. But thanks to Prabhas and Baahubali, the doors have now opened even wider,” he says. He adds, “Filmmakers are dreaming bigger, theatrical releases are getting ambitious. While OTT has definitely changed the way content is being consumed. But the only way forward is to continue to bring people to the theatres.” Dulquer acknowledges that he is usually on a diet because of employment. " Which is sad," he remarks despondently. "But I am a huge fan of the biryani and haleem in Hyderabad. So if I’m in the city for Ramzan, it’s a delight,” he adds. The actor also acknowledges that he has discovered a different way to indulge in wonderful meals while staying on his diet. “Everyone I work with knows I’m a foodie, so I’m often treated to home cooked, traditional Telangana and Andhra meals.”