Siddhu Jonnalagadda – Telugu film actor of ‘DJ Tillu’ fame

Siddhu Jonnalagadda is a Telugu film actor and screenwriter best known for Telugu blockbuster hits – DJ Tillu (2022) and its sequel, Tillu Square (2024). Though he was associated with the film industry since 2009, Tillu series gave him the stardom. Prior to DJ Tillu, he won accolades for his performance in Guntur Talkies (2016), the movie which he co-scripted as well.

Siddhu and his struggling early days in Telugu cinema

Siddhu Jonnalagadda’s birth name is Siddhartha Jonnalagadda. He hails from Hyderabad, born into a middle-class family and was born on 7 February 1988. He spent most of his life in and around Malkajgiri, and was drawn towards writing and acting since young. His father worked in government department while his brother works abroad and is now settled in US.

He completed B.Tech from Holy Mary Institute of Engineering in 2009, before venturing into films in 2009. He appeared in minor roles in Josh and Orange, where his name was credited as Siddhartha. He also starred in a Tamil film, Vallinam in 2014, where he was credited with his real name.

In 2014, he returned to Telugu cinema and started doing lead roles. He adapted screen name, Siddhu Jonnalagadda, which he used in all movies thereafter. Boy Meets Girl and Ice Cream 2 are the movies he did same year, but his films couldn’t meet commercial success.

He tasted success for the first time through Guntur Talkies in 2016

After struggling so many years in the industry, he tasted success for the first time through Guntur Talkies in 2016. Apart from doing lead role, he also co-scripted the film. It marked his new beginning as a scriptwriter along with acting, and he succeeded in this new role as well. But it took three long years for the release of his next film. He played supporting role in 2019 thriller Kalki.

In 2020, Siddhu had two releases – Krishna and His Leela and Maa Vintha Gaadha Vinuma. Both the films were released on OTT platform. After a break of 2 years, DJ Tillu was his first release after lockdown. It was directly released in theatres. So, it can be said that the pandemic affected the career of the actor. But still Siddhu Jonnalagadda gained popularity with multiple releases on OTT platforms during the pandemic period. Both his releases during the period were well received and made him popular. But he was wishing for one huge theatre hit, which can give him the real stardom he has been waiting all these years.

Tillu series gave him the real stardom

Though he never stayed away from films after the success of Guntur Talkies in 2016, his biggest hit came in 2022 through DJ Tillu. He was nominated at SIIMA Award for Best Actor – Telugu. He spoke in Hyderabad slang throughout the film, though he belongs to Malkajgiri.  Its sequel Tillu Square (2024) was also a blockbuster. Tillu Square became his first film to gross over 100 crores. A sequel, titled Tillu Cube has been announced. Telusu Kada and Jack are his upcoming releases.

Siddhu Jonnalagadda – Some interesting and less-known facts

1. He was credited as Siddhartha Jonnalagadda in his early films, which is his real name.

2. Though he received success through Guntur Talkies in 2016, it took 12 long years to get another big hit through DJ Tillu in 2022. His major films were released on OTT during pandemic.

3. He made a cameo appearance in 2024 Ravi Teja film, Mr. Bachchan.

4. He also appeared in Amazon Prime Video’s Telugu crime drama television series – Gangstars in 2018.