For any actor, it helps if his family works in the same industry. The advantage is not just exposure to the working of the industry at an early age but also the fact that producers are less reluctant to bankroll their movies. Yet there have been actors who failed to find their foothold in the industry despite their illustrious family background. And there are several others who have made it on their own. Today, we talk about those actors who came from nowhere and went on to become superstars in their own right, all with sheer hard work, determination and conviction.

These actors are giving a tough competition to star actors with their choice of scripts and performance.

Here is a list of some of the Telugu heroes who created sensation overnight with their films.

Vijay Deverakonda: As expected, this name tops the list of actors who delivered sensational hits in no time. Pelli Choopulu and Arjun Reddy were seen as pathbreaking movies in Telugu cinema. Vijay who had worked in a few films earlier, turned hero in Pelli Choopulu which bagged the national award for best Telugu film. On the other hand, Arjun Reddy made him one of the most sought-after actors in Tollywood.

Read: Vijay Devarakonda Among Most Desirable Men

Nani: This Natural Star needs no introduction. The actor entered the industry as an assistant director. His debut movie Ashta Chamma brought him into limelight and he has never looked back since. Nani proved his acting skills in films like Eega, Gentlemen, Nenu Local and Ninnu Kori. The last three were a hat-trick for Nani and also joined the league of highest grossers in Tollywood.

Naga Shaurya: This actor is remembered for his award-winning film Oohalu Gusagusalade. Shaurya had to struggle for five years before grabbing an opportunity to work in films. Though he has worked in several movies, he is yet to carve a niche for himself in the industry. It can be said that the actor is exploring different roles after watching his recent movies—Chalo and Kanam.

Sree Vishnu: The actor took six years to appear as a lead actor. Vishnu started off his career with small roles in movies. He became famous after Vunnadi Okate Zindagi, where he played a key role. He then tried his luck in Needhi Naadhi Oke Katha which was a money spinner at the box office.

Karthikeya: He is the latest entrant to Tollywood. Karthikeya Gummakonda has managed to impress the audience with his debut movie RX 100. The film which has become a musical hit is now raking in substantial moolah at the box office. The film has certainly pushed to star status.

There you go, the list of Telugu actors who beat odds to taste success. They have won the hearts of the audience with their outstanding performances in movies.