From Wanaparthy to the UK and Onto the Big Screen: Aditya Hasan Unpacks the Heart, Humor & Heritage Behind Epic – First Semester!
When Aditya Hasan delivered the breakout nostalgia hit #90s – A Middle Class Biopic, audiences celebrated him for capturing the unspoken, tender absurdities of everyday middle-class Telugu households. Now, the young storyteller is taking his feature film debut to the silver screen with Epic – First Semester, starring Anand Deverakonda and Vaishnavi Chaitanya.
Presented by Srikara Studios and produced by Suryadevara Naga Vamsi and Sai Soujanya under the banners of Sithara Entertainments and Fortune Four Cinemas, the youthful romantic drama is set to hit theaters worldwide on September 11, 2026.
Ahead of the premiere, director Aditya Hasan sat down for a candid media interaction, looking back on his roots, his unconventional entry into filmmaking, and how his personal student years in the UK helped shape the canvas of Epic.
A Teacher’s Son with an Eye for Cinema: The Roots
Hailing from Wanaparthy in Telangana, Aditya grew up in an academic, service-oriented home:
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Growing Up Grounded: "I studied in Wanaparthy until 10th standard. My father was a dedicated school teacher, and my mother is a homemaker. My brother and sister-in-law work in banking. It wasn’t a family connected to films, but after 10th, storytelling was all I could think about."
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Skipping the AD Route: Unlike the traditional path of assisting established filmmakers, Aditya took a detour. After finishing his degree in Hyderabad, he headed to the UK for a Master’s degree, making indie short films along the way.
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The Early Roadblock: Upon returning, he directed an independent film titled Teacher starring Colors Swathi, produced by UK university senior Naveen Medaram and Abhishek Nama. Though the project hit unexpected roadblocks and was shelved, the learning stayed with him.
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The Name 'Aditya Hasan': "My birth name is just Aditya. I’ve been an ardent admirer of Kamal Haasan garu all my life. That pure admiration led me to adopt Hasan as my screen surname."
"Epic Is the Younger Brother’s Chapter": The #90s Connection
When asked if Epic serves as an autobiographical slice of his own life, Aditya offered a laugh:
*"There is inspiration taken from real life, but my actual life isn't that cinematic or beautiful! We take real, lived moments and weave them into fiction. In fact, 'Epic' is fundamentally an extension of the world we introduced in '#90s'.
If '#90s' was the family’s collective journey, 'Epic' explores the emotional and practical trajectory of the younger brother once he leaves home. Down the road, I also intend to tell the elder brother’s story and the sister’s journey as distinct cinematic chapters."*
— Aditya Hasan
Why 'First Semester' and the 'Baby' Recombination
Addressing the film's unique title and the obvious industry comparisons with Baby, Aditya shared clear creative context:
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A Two-Part Journey: "The story doesn't end when the credits roll. 'Epic – First Semester' sets up conflicts that lead into 'Epic – Final Semester'. The climax here wasn't written to satisfy standard trade expectations or directorial indulgence; it ends where the narrative organic truth demands."
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Beyond the Baby Hangover: "Initially, casting Anand and Vaishnavi did carry some pressure because of their previous massive hit. But 'Epic' exists in an entirely different emotional realm—it's warm, grounded, and modern. I had originally picked Anand, and it was producer Naga Vamsi garu who suggested bringing Vaishnavi on board. He saw the commercial synergy immediately, and looking at the current buzz, he was spot on."
Foreign Campuses, Real Debt & Bringing Gorati Venkanna In
Aditya pointed out that foreign education films often miss the daily, unglamorous grind of diaspora students:
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The Overseas Reality: "A boy travels from Hyderabad to a UK campus, discovers life on his own, and falls in love. Will they stick together through circumstance? That’s the baseline. Because I studied in the UK, I witnessed first-hand the isolation, the part-time jobs, and the quiet sacrifices students endure. Very few Telugu films capture that side honestly."
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Producer Naga Vamsi’s Involvement: "Vamsi garu watched '#90s', placed absolute faith in me, and gave me this canvas. He supervised every production detail closely—including bringing composer Hesham Abdul Wahab on board."
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A Childhood Dream Realized: "I grew up listening to Gorati Venkanna garu's folk poetry. Even during freezing London winters, his voice was my link back home. I promised myself that whenever I made my theatrical debut, he would have a song in it. Having him write and sing 'Sanchaarame' to kickstart our promotions is a dream fulfilled."
The Road Forward
Concluding on his philosophy as a filmmaker, Aditya kept it simple:
"I want to explore every genre while keeping entertainment front and center. My focus is to create stories that carry heart and empathy, without hurting sensibilities or pushing preachy agendas."
With early preview screenings on September 10 leading into a full theatrical launch on September 11, 2026, Epic – First Semester is poised to deliver an authentic, bittersweet slice of youthful life.
