From heartthrob to leading man: Havish's bold turn in 'Nenu Ready'

Time of India

6 days ago

When Havish made his debut with Nuvvila, he effortlessly slipped into the romantic hero mould. He emerged as the quintessential boy-next-door who was charming, affable and perfect for Telugu cinema's feel-good zone. But beneath the surface of early fame, Havish was quietly waiting for more. More than just songs and smiles, he was looking for substance. Today, over a decade into his career, that pursuit seems to have found its voice in Nenu Ready; a film he calls his most personal and grounded performance yet.
Reflecting on his journey, Havish admits that his early career was shaped as much by opportunity as it was by instinct. 'I didn't have the luxury of saying no in the beginning,' he shares. 'After Nuvvila, people saw me a certain way — romantic, safe, familiar. But I wanted more. I wanted to break that image.' That break came with Genius, a film that offered emotional complexity and a narrative that pushed his boundaries. 'It was my first taste of doing something different, something that made me grow.'
'Today, I think I've become more patient, more open, and more aligned with the kind of stories I truly want to tell. I may have started by going with the flow, but somewhere along the way, I found my own voice — quiet, steady, and rooted in purpose,' he says.
That mindset of seeking meaning over momentum has continued to define his choices. It's also what led him to Nenu Ready, a script he says struck a rare emotional chord. 'From the very first scene, I had this gut feeling. This one felt different,' he recalls. The film doesn't chase action, spectacle or trends. Instead, it dwells in the quiet beauty of everyday life. 'There was no single 'wow' moment. It was the entire arc that moved me — a journey built on sincerity, not gimmicks.'
One of the most talked-about sequences from the teaser is the opening with Muddugare Yashoda, a soulful composition that sets the emotional tone. Havish credits the director and music team entirely for the idea. 'I heard it on set for the first time, and it just clicked. The music, the silence, the atmosphere — everything came together so organically. I didn't need to act much in that moment; the scene just carried itself.'
A still from the Nenu Ready teaser
What also sets Nenu Ready apart is its refusal to rely on a formula. There are no punch dialogues, no high-octane violence, and certainly no over-the-top heroism. 'Don't get me wrong, I love a good mass entertainer,' he laughs. 'I've even said I'd love to be in something like Akhanda! But that doesn't mean I want to do only that. I'm drawn to stories that speak to me. This one did — in the most unexpected, understated way.'
Coincidentally, the film's teaser dropped on his birthday this year. 'Usually, my birthdays are just PR events at this point,' he jokes. 'Some poster gets released, and I smile for the cameras. But this year felt different. Nenu Ready wasn't just another film promotion — it felt like a genuine gift. A project I believe in, announced on a day that means something to me.'
There's a quiet confidence about Havish now; not loud or flamboyant, but resolute. He's no longer chasing visibility; he's curating his journey. With Nenu Ready, he has opened a door to stories that matter, roles that resonate, and a style of storytelling that's more grounded in reality than glamour.
As he moves forward, one thing is clear: Havish isn't here to follow formulas. He's here to rewrite them gently but firmly, one heartfelt performance at a time.