Gurucharan Nethi, a sophomore at UB, has always dreamed of being an actor. Although he’s currently a business major, he spends his nights practicing monologues, perfecting his Bollywood dance craft and constantly dreaming of a life where acting would be his primary pursuit. Through hard work and determination, he was able to feature in his first film.
Originally from Hyderabad, India, Nethi came to Buffalo to pursue a degree in business administration.
“My parents knew about my dream and were very supportive, but only asked that I get a degree in any field I wished,” Nethi said.
The transition from India to America was not easy for Nethi. Back home, he had grown used to the comfort of his parents’ presence at the end of a long day — a support system that felt distant once he arrived in the United States. In addition, the jet lag, change in climate and new scenery demanded a level of adaptability.
He quickly realized that adjusting to his new lifestyle would be difficult. Luckily, Nethi was an extroverted individual and was able to surround himself with supportive friends.
“Being an extrovert helped me; I was able to make friends who wanted to see me succeed,” he said.
Despite his major, Nethi never let go of his artistic ambitions. Beyond acting, he hoped to start a clothing brand, fueled by his love of creative self-expression.
In addition to practicing acting after classes, Nethi began working on a movie he felt passionate about. Inspired by one of his favorite films,“500 Days of Summer,” Nethi began writing a script that explored the complexities of Gen-Z love.
He knew that getting cast in a film he felt passionate about would be tough, so Nethi decided to make his own path. He spent the entirety of his freshman year perfecting his script while simultaneously learning the intricacies of acting. Balancing coursework with his film aspirations was challenging, but at every obstacle he persevered.
In the summer of his freshman year, Nethi headed back to India with the intention of gaining exposure in the South Asian movie industry. He began reaching out to casting directors and responding to open casting calls, hoping for his big break. Though he dealt with constant rejection, he eventually connected with a prominent director who saw something special in him.
While conversing with director Manoj Kumar Katokar, Nethi shared his script and passion for storytelling. Katokar loved the idea and collaborated with Nethi to develop “Mr. Romeo,” a Telugu short film highlighting the ups and downs of Gen-Z love. The film introduced Nethi as the male lead, starring alongside Juhi Bhatt and Amishi Raghav.
The experience was overwhelming for him, with periods of criticism and negativity, but nonetheless a crucial step in attaining his ultimate goal.
“The toughest part was the criticism and judgment from the audience. I had no formal training, which caused some people to be very critical of my work,” Nethi said.
Now, Nethi has placed his acting ambitions on hold as he aims to excel in school with minimal distractions. Although his aspirations may be on pause, he knows that as soon as he’s back home he will get right to work and hustle to make a name for himself.
The South Asian film industry is vast, encompassing films from a variety of regions of India. Tollywood, Mollywood and Bollywood are among the most prominent, releasing an average of 135 films per month. Movies in this industry are known for high-energy performances and musical numbers that have become staples in Indian society.
Though the colorful aspects of the industry are iconic, films in this market have been accused of casteism and neglecting different diasporas — a trend that has been changing in recent years.
“Representation is getting better with more honest lower-budget films being made as well as female directors who are showcasing important issues,” said Shantam Goyal, a professor in UB’s Asian American Studies department.
For Nethi, that shift toward authenticity in South Asian cinema is exactly what inspires him to keep pursuing his dream. He sees himself as part of a new generation of actors who aim to highlight modern perspectives, tackle social issues and reflect the experiences of young people like himself.
The features desk can be reached at features@ubspectrum.com
