{{Short description|Indian film actor}} {{pp-pc|small=yes}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}} {{Use Indian English|date=April 2021}} {{Infobox person | name = Teja Sajja | image = Teja Sajja at IIFA Utsavam (cropped).jpg | caption = Sajja at IIFA Utsavam | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1995|8|23|df=yes}}<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.thehansindia.com/cinema/a-rising-star-in-indian-cinema-922728 | title=A Rising Star in Indian Cinema | date=19 November 2024 | access-date=21 November 2024 | archive-date=20 November 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241120033247/https://www.thehansindia.com/cinema/a-rising-star-in-indian-cinema-922728 | url-status=live }}</ref> | birth_place = India | education = Muffakham Jah College of Engineering and Technology , The Hyderabad Public School, Begumpet | occupation = Actor | years_active = 1998–2009<br/>2019–present }}
'''Teja Sajja''' (born 23 August 1995) is an Indian actor who works in Telugu cinema.<ref>{{cite news |title=Teja Sajja wraps up shooting and commences dubbing for Prasanth Varma's Zombie Reddy - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/teja-sajja-wraps-up-shooting-and-commences-dubbing-for-prasanth-varmas-zombie-reddy/articleshow/79278262.cms |website=The Times of India |date=18 November 2020 |language=en |access-date=3 April 2021 |archive-date=28 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128024132/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/teja-sajja-wraps-up-shooting-and-commences-dubbing-for-prasanth-varmas-zombie-reddy/articleshow/79278262.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> He began his career as a child actor in ''Choodalani Vundi'' (1998) leading up to ''Boss ''(2006). As an adult, Sajja had a supporting role in ''Oh! Baby'' (2019). He has since played the lead roles in films such as ''Zombie Reddy'' (2021), ''Hanu-Man'' (2024) and ''Mirai'' (2025). ''Hanu-Man'' is among the highest-grossing Indian films of 2024 and ninth highest-grossing Telugu film worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-27 |title=HanuMan director Prasanth Varma says he 'wasted a lot of time' waiting for stars like Ram Charan, Allu Arjun and Jr NTR: 'Even if Tom Cruise comes to me…' |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/hanuman-director-prasanth-varma-says-he-wasted-a-lot-of-time-waiting-for-stars-like-ram-charan-allu-arjun-and-jr-ntr-even-if-tom-cruise-comes-to-me-9130130/ |access-date=2024-04-19 |website=The Indian Express |language=en |archive-date=27 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240127082117/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/hanuman-director-prasanth-varma-says-he-wasted-a-lot-of-time-waiting-for-stars-like-ram-charan-allu-arjun-and-jr-ntr-even-if-tom-cruise-comes-to-me-9130130/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He is a recipient of two SIIMA Awards and a Filmfare Award.
==Early life and career== Teja was born on 23 August 1995 in a Telugu family.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shamanthula |first=Raju |date=2024-11-19 |title=A Rising Star in Indian Cinema |url=https://www.thehansindia.com/cinema/a-rising-star-in-indian-cinema-922728 |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=www.thehansindia.com |language=en |archive-date=20 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241120033247/https://www.thehansindia.com/cinema/a-rising-star-in-indian-cinema-922728 |url-status=live }}</ref> Sajja made his debut at the age of two in ''Choodalani Vundi'' (1998) and acted in over 20 films alongside leading actors in Telugu cinema.<ref>{{cite web |title=Tollywood Child Artist Teja Sajja Biography, News, Photos, Videos |url=https://nettv4u.com/celebrity/telugu/child-artist/teja-sajja |website=nettv4u |language=en |access-date=3 April 2021 |archive-date=29 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729084653/https://nettv4u.com/celebrity/telugu/child-artist/teja-sajja |url-status=live }}</ref> These include ''Kalisundam Raa'' (2000), ''Yuvaraju'' (2000), ''Indra'' (2002),<ref>{{Cite news|title=Teja Sajja reveals a secret about Megastar Chiranjeevi's Indra - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/teja-sajja-reveals-a-secret-about-megastar-chiranjeevis-indra/articleshow/77149199.cms|access-date=2021-04-15|website=The Times of India|date=24 July 2020 |language=en|archive-date=10 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010163249/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/teja-sajja-reveals-a-secret-about-megastar-chiranjeevis-indra/articleshow/77149199.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Tagore'' (2003), ''Gangotri'' (2003), ''Vasantam'' (2003), ''Samba'' (2004), ''Chatrapathi'' (2005), ''Balu'' (2005) with actors Chiranjeevi, Venkatesh, Prabhas, Mahesh Babu, Allu Arjun, N. T. Rama Rao Jr. and Pawan Kalyan.<ref>{{cite news |title=Teja Sajja reveals a secret about Megastar Chiranjeevi's Indra - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/teja-sajja-reveals-a-secret-about-megastar-chiranjeevis-indra/articleshow/77149199.cms |work=The Times of India |language=en |access-date=3 April 2021 |archive-date=10 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010163249/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/teja-sajja-reveals-a-secret-about-megastar-chiranjeevis-indra/articleshow/77149199.cms |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Child artiste Teja Sajja turns lead actor |url=https://archive.telugucinema.com/news/child-artiste-teja-sajja-turns-lead-actor |website=Telugucinema.com |language=en |date=25 June 2019 |access-date=3 April 2021 |archive-date=17 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117100950/https://archive.telugucinema.com/news/child-artiste-teja-sajja-turns-lead-actor |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Living the dream |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/telugu/2021/feb/02/living-the-dream-2258225.html |website=The New Indian Express |date=2 February 2021 |access-date=3 April 2021 |archive-date=11 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211054728/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/telugu/2021/feb/02/living-the-dream-2258225.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Former child artist and 'Oh Baby' actor Teja Sajja turns a male lead - Telugu News |url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/former-child-artist-and-oh-baby-actor-teja-sajja-turns-a-male-lead-telugu-news-268063 |website=IndiaGlitz.com |date=23 August 2020 |access-date=3 April 2021 |archive-date=23 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200823165021/https://www.indiaglitz.com/former-child-artist-and-oh-baby-actor-teja-sajja-turns-a-male-lead-telugu-news-268063 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Sajja then made a comeback and played a supporting role in ''Oh! Baby'' (2019).<ref>{{cite web |title=Oh! Baby' fame Teja Sajja turns hero in fantasy love flick |url=https://telanganatoday.com/oh-baby-fame-teja-sajja-turns-hero-in-fantasy-love-flick |website=Telangana Today}}</ref> His made debut in a lead role in ''Zombie Reddy'' (2021).<ref>{{cite news |title=Varun Tej heaps praise on Teja Sajja at 'Zombie Reddy' pre-release event - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/varun-tej-heaps-praise-on-teja-sajja-at-zombie-reddy-pre-release-event/articleshow/80667099.cms |website=The Times of India |date=3 February 2021 |language=en |access-date=3 April 2021 |archive-date=3 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203091535/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/varun-tej-heaps-praise-on-teja-sajja-at-zombie-reddy-pre-release-event/articleshow/80667099.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> It is the first zombie film in Telugu cinema and received positive reviews from critics.<ref>{{Citation|title=Zombie Reddy Movie Review: A desi zombie film complete with factions and lots of drama|newspaper=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movie-reviews/zombie-reddy/movie-review/80704272.cms|access-date=2021-02-08|archive-date=29 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929030224/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movie-reviews/zombie-reddy/movie-review/80704272.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> He also starred in ''Ishq: Not a Love Story'' alongside Priya Prakash Varrier which got mixed reviews. He completed his first sci-fi romantic film named ''Adbhutham'' alongside Shivani Rajashekar, which was released on Disney+ Hotstar, the same year.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Vyas|date=2020-07-01|title=Shivani Rajashekar as Vennela|url=https://www.thehansindia.com/cinema/tollywood/shivani-rajashekar-as-vennela-631102|access-date=2021-04-15|website=www.thehansindia.com|language=en|archive-date=15 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415055024/https://www.thehansindia.com/cinema/tollywood/shivani-rajashekar-as-vennela-631102|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Ishq: Not A Love Story Movie: Showtimes, Review, Trailer, Posters, News & Videos {{!}} eTimes |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movie-details/ishq-not-a-love-story/movieshow/80215502.cms |website=Times of India |access-date=3 April 2021 |archive-date=17 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117101044/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/getdataofseason.cms?msid=106696902&type=link&parentseo=web-series/reviews/english/true-detective |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title='Ishq: not a love story' review: A scathing indictment of moral policing |url=https://www.theweek.in/review/movies/2019/05/17/Ishq-not-a-love-story-review-A-scathing-indictment-of-moral-policing.html |website=The Week |language=en |access-date=3 April 2021 |archive-date=15 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210615151521/https://www.theweek.in/review/movies/2019/05/17/Ishq-not-a-love-story-review-A-scathing-indictment-of-moral-policing.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He next worked in the Prasanth Varma's superhero film ''Hanu-Man'' (2024).<ref>{{Cite magazine|author=Janani K.|date=June 25, 2021|title=Teja Sajja and Prasanth Varma's Hanu-Man goes on floors.|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/teja-sajja-and-prasanth-varma-s-hanu-man-goes-on-floors-see-pics-from-film-launch-1819231-2021-06-25|access-date=2021-06-25|magazine=India Today|language=en|archive-date=25 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625082558/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/teja-sajja-and-prasanth-varma-s-hanu-man-goes-on-floors-see-pics-from-film-launch-1819231-2021-06-25|url-status=live}}</ref> He recently starred in another superhero film titled ''Mirai,'' which was released on 12 September 2025.
==Filmography== {{Pending films key}} {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year !! Title !! Role !Notes |- | 1998 || ''Choodalani Vundi'' || Rama Krishna's son | |- | 1999 || ''Rajakumarudu'' || Vengalla Rayudu | |- | rowspan="3" | 2000 || ''Kalisundam Raa'' || Sandeep | |- | ''Yuvaraju '' || Teja | |- | ''Bachi''|| Habibi | |- | rowspan="3" | 2001 || ''Deevinchandi''|| Siva's son | |- | ''Prema Sandadi''|| Siddu Sidhartha Roy | |- | ''Akasa Veedhilo''|| Ram and Lakshman | |- | 2002 || ''Indra'' || Young Indrasena Reddy | |- | rowspan="5" | 2003 || ''Gangotri'' || Young Simhadri | |- | ''Ottesi Cheputunna''|| Young Surya | |- | ''Vasantam '' || rowspan="2"|Young Ashok |rowspan="2"| Bilingual film; Shot in Telugu and Tamil |- | ''Priyamaana Thozhi'' |- | ''Tagore''||Tagore's adopted son | |- | rowspan="3" | 2004 || ''Adavi Ramudu'' || Young Ramudu | |- | ''Samba''|| Chinna | |- |''Leela Mahal Centre'' || Young Prabhu || |- | rowspan="4" | 2005 || ''Balu'' || Cherry | |- | ''Naa Alludu''|| Young Chandram / Young Suryam |Dual role |- | ''Andarivaadu '' || Govinda "Govindu" Raju Jr. | |- | ''Chatrapathi''|| Young Ashok | |- | rowspan="4" |2006 |''Lakshmi'' |Young Lakshmi | |- | ''Sri Ramadasu'' || Raghunathudu | |- | ''Astram '' || Teja | |- | ''Boss '' || Young GK | |- |2009 |''7 Days In Slow Motion'' |Ravi |Debut as lead actor; English film |- |2019 |''Oh! Baby'' |Rama Krishna “Rocky” |Debut as adult actor |- | rowspan="3" |2021 |''Zombie Reddy'' |Marripalem "Mario" Obul Reddy |Debut as lead adult actor |- |''Ishq'' |Siddharth "Siddhu" | |- |''Adbhutham'' |Surya | |- |2024 |''Hanu-Man'' |Hanumanthu | |- |2025 |''Mirai'' |Vedha Prajapati |<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-05-20 |title='Mirai': Glimpse of Manoj Manchu as Black Sword from Teja Sajja's film out |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/mirai-glimpse-of-manoj-manchu-as-black-sword-from-teja-sajjas-film-out/article68195710.ece |access-date=2024-05-27 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X |archive-date=27 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240527132559/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/mirai-glimpse-of-manoj-manchu-as-black-sword-from-teja-sajjas-film-out/article68195710.ece |url-status=live }}</ref> |}
=== Television === {| class="wikitable" |+ !Year !Title !Role !Network !Notes |- |2024 |3rd IIFA Utsavam |Host |Gemini TV |Television special<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-07 |title=Rana Daggubati, Teja Sajja's joke on Mahesh Babu's Guntur Kaaram upsets fans |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/rana-daggubati-teja-sajjas-joke-on-mahesh-babus-guntur-kaaram-leaves-fans-upset-2629530-2024-11-07 |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=India Today |language=en |archive-date=7 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241207064453/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/rana-daggubati-teja-sajjas-joke-on-mahesh-babus-guntur-kaaram-leaves-fans-upset-2629530-2024-11-07 |url-status=live }}</ref> |}
== Awards and nominations == {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" |+ ! scope="col" | Award ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Category ! scope="col" | Work ! scope="col" | Result ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |- ! rowspan="2" scope="row" |Filmfare Awards South | rowspan="2" |2026 |Best Actor – Telugu | rowspan="2" |''Hanu-Man'' |{{nom}} |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nominations for The 70th Filmfare Awards South With Kerala Tourism (Telugu) {{!}} Filmfare.com |url=https://www.filmfare.com/news/south/nominations-for-the-70th-filmfare-awards-south-with-kerala-tourism-telugu-81365.html |access-date=2026-02-23 |website=www.filmfare.com |language=en}}</ref> |- |Critics Best Actor – Telugu |{{won}} |<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 February 2026 |title=Full List of Winners of The 70th Filmfare Awards South With Kerala Tourism (Telugu) |url=https://www.filmfare.com/news/bollywood/full-list-of-winners-of-the-70th-filmfare-awards-south-with-kerala-tourism-telugu-81912.html |access-date=23 February 2026 |website=Filmfare |language=en}}</ref> |- ! scope="row" |Sakshi Excellence Awards |2022 |Jury Special Debutant Lead Actor of The Year | rowspan="3" |''Zombie Reddy'' |{{won}} |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Winners - 2021 - Cinema Awards |url=https://www.sakshiexcellenceawards.com/index.php?page=Winners&pageid=9&subpageid=46&subsubpageid=99 |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=www.sakshiexcellenceawards.com |archive-date=11 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241111235043/https://www.sakshiexcellenceawards.com/index.php?page=Winners&pageid=9&subpageid=46&subsubpageid=99 |url-status=live }}</ref> |- ! rowspan="4" scope="row" |South Indian International Movie Awards | rowspan="2" |2022 |Most Promising Newcomer {{Ndash}} Male |{{won}} | rowspan="2" |<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-09-11 |title=SIIMA 2022 winner's list: Allu Arjun's Pushpa wins big in several categories |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/siima-2022-winner-s-list-allu-arjun-s-pushpa-wins-big-in-several-categories-1998924-2022-09-11 |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=India Today |language=en |archive-date=7 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221007215538/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/siima-2022-winner-s-list-allu-arjun-s-pushpa-wins-big-in-several-categories-1998924-2022-09-11 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-09-12 |title=10th South Indian International Movie Awards: Pushpa wins big, check full list of winners - CNBC TV18 |url=https://www.cnbctv18.com/entertainment/10th-south-indian-international-movie-awards-pushpa-wins-big-check-full-list-of-winners-14701731.htm |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=CNBCTV18 |language=en |archive-date=6 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241206105329/https://www.cnbctv18.com/entertainment/10th-south-indian-international-movie-awards-pushpa-wins-big-check-full-list-of-winners-14701731.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> |- |Best Male Debut – Telugu |{{nom}} |- | rowspan="2" |2025 |Best Actor – Telugu | rowspan="3" |''Hanu-Man'' |{{nom}} | rowspan="2" |<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-06 |title=SIIMA 2025 Telugu, Kannada winners list: Allu Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna win big for Pushpa 2; Kamal Haasan, Amitabh Bachchan honoured for Kalki 2898 AD |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/siima-2025-telugu-kannada-winners-list-allu-arjun-rashmika-mandanna-pushpa-2-kalki-2898-ad-kamal-haasan-amitabh-bachchan-10233441/ |access-date=2025-09-08 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> |- |Critics Best Actor – Telugu |{{won}} |- ! scope="row" |Radio City Cine Awards Telugu |2024 |Best Actor in a Leading Role |{{won}} |<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shamanthula |first=Raju |date=2024-11-19 |title=A Rising Star in Indian Cinema |url=https://www.thehansindia.com/cinema/a-rising-star-in-indian-cinema-922728 |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=www.thehansindia.com |language=en |archive-date=20 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241120033247/https://www.thehansindia.com/cinema/a-rising-star-in-indian-cinema-922728 |url-status=live }}</ref> |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{IMDb name|1326000}} *[https://www.youtube.com/@TejaSajjaOffl Teja Sajja on YouTube] {{Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor – Telugu}}{{SIIMA Critics Award for Best Actor – Telugu}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sajja, Teja}} Category:Living people Category:Male actors in Telugu cinema Category:21st-century Indian male actors Category:1994 births Category:Indian male film actors Category:Telugu male actors Category:Indian male child actors Category:South Indian International Movie Awards winners Category:Filmfare Awards South winners