Mumbai: Actor Allu Arjun, who gained global recognition with the success of the ‘Pushpa’ film series, attended WAVES 2025 at the Jio World Centre in Mumbai on Thursday.

During the event, he spoke about the monumental success of Pushpa 2 and emphasised the vital role fitness plays in an actor’s life. The actor also expressed his gratitude towards the Government of India for organising the WAVES Summit 2025 for the entertainment industry.

Life after Pushpa 2

Reflecting on his career post-Pushpa 2, Arjun said he transitioned from being a regional star to a nationally recognised figure.

"At least everybody knows my face now. I am a regional actor, and I used to work in Telugu films and have popularity in other parts of the south, but now, because of ‘Pushpa’ and with the love of the Indian audience, now I am a more familiar face, and everyone knows me," he said.

The actor has had a significant year, with ‘Pushpa 2: The Rule’ creating history at the box office. Released in December last year, the film shattered several records. Directed by Sukumar, the action-drama features Allu Arjun as Pushpa Raj, alongside Rashmika Mandanna and Fahadh Faasil.

Allu Arjun’s portrayal also earned him the prestigious National Award for Best Actor for his role in ‘Pushpa: The Rise.’

Fitness as a key to success

Speaking about the importance of fitness, Arjun said:

"It is about the mindset. Back in those days, about 20 years ago, there were a lot of taboos around that. I knew that it needed only one person to break that. Someone motivated me by saying, 'I do not think South actors can come up with six packs.' One of the actresses I worked with said that, and then I took it as a challenge and did it for my people, and I could do that."

"Obviously fitness is a very keen aspect of every actor because especially being an Indian actor you have to dance, you have to fight, and you do not know when the schedule might start up—it might start up from a song or start up with a fight—you have to be physically prepared for everything. So fitness is extremely important. I started at a very young age, at the age of 19-20. Over the years, I gained a lot of experience and injuries. It is extremely tough, but it is worth it when you see yourself on the big screen and you have millions of people appreciating it," he added.

Approach towards versatility

On maintaining versatility as an actor, Arjun said:

"Every movie is unique, and every movie should not repeat itself, but unknowingly we all have patterns. As much as possible, consciously we should try to remove those patterns and try to come up with something new, something original. In such a competitive world, you have to present your best. That inspiration to serve people something new, something best, has made me a versatile actor. I think versatility is a by-product."

Overcoming injury

The actor also shared his experience of overcoming a career-threatening injury:

"After shooting for my 10th film, I had an accident. I had a shoulder rotator cuff tear. I was very known for my physical fitness and acrobatic skills, and when I broke my shoulder, I did have a minor tear before, and it was just a small surgery, and then I was back in three weeks. Within the fourth week, I was in the gym, so I was expecting the same. Once I went to the hospital—it was in Australia—and the doctor said you have to take six months off."

"That was like a big blow for me because we had to start shooting in two-three months, and I did not have that time. That was the most fearful moment as I was banking so much on my physical fitness. Then this thing struck my mind—that physical fitness and agility will deteriorate by age—so what matters is your performance. I started focusing on that after my tenth film," he added.

About WAVES 2025

WAVES 2025 is a four-day summit under the tagline "Connecting Creators, Connecting Countries," aimed at positioning India as a global hub for media, entertainment, and digital innovation.

The event brings together creators, start-ups, industry leaders, and policymakers from around the world. WAVES 2025 sees participation from over 90 countries, with more than 10,000 delegates, 1,000 creators, 300+ companies, and 350+ start-ups.

The summit features 42 plenary sessions, 39 breakout sessions, and 32 masterclasses across broadcasting, infotainment, AVGC-XR, films, and digital media.

The event was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who described it as a historic milestone in India's cultural and creative journey. The summit commenced on May 1 and will conclude on May 4.

ANI