For the audience, they are superstars, actors and celebrities. But to their siblings, they remain the same brothers and sisters they grew up with, the ones they fought with, teased, depended on and turned to long before fame entered their lives. This Raksha Bandhan, the brother-sister relationships within Tollywood offer some of the industry’s most heartwarming stories. Behind the glamour are bonds that have evolved from childhood squabbles into friendships, professional partnerships and lifelong support systems.
Mahesh Babu and Manjula: A brother who is always there
Mahesh Babu and his sister Manjula Ghattamaneni share a bond that has remained strong despite their demanding careers. Manjula, who has worked as an actor, producer and director, has often spoken warmly about her brother.
In a 2014 Raksha Bandhan interview, Manjula described Mahesh as a supportive brother and revealed how she turns to him whenever she feels low. “Mahesh has always been a very supportive brother. Even though he is a very busy star actor, he still holds some serious sentiments about family etc. Whenever I feel low, I call him and one conversation with him is enough to boost my spirits,” she said.
It is a side of Mahesh that audiences may not always see — the brother who becomes a source of comfort when his sister needs him.
Ram Charan and Sushmita: From siblings to friends and collaborators
Ram Charan’s bond with his sister Sushmita Konidela has also extended into their professional lives. Sushmita, who has worked as a costume designer, styled Charan for Rangasthalam, giving their sibling relationship an interesting professional dimension.
Speaking about working with her brother, Sushmita said, “Apart from being siblings, Charan and I are great friends and hang out quite a lot. It was easy working together, because he immediately understands what I’m trying to convey. At the same time, I understand his comfort level.”
Varun Tej and Niharika: From Tom and Jerry to best friends
Few Tollywood sibling stories are as entertaining as Varun Tej and Niharika Konidela. At many instances, the siblings openly revisited their childhood fights, revealing that their relationship was once far removed from the easy friendship they share today.
Niharika recalled that they “spent a major part of our childhood fighting and complaining about each other,” comparing themselves to Tom and Jerry. Varun admitted that they “bickered and quarrelled a lot.” But growing up changed everything. Varun said, “I don’t know when or how it all happened, but today Niharika is one of my closest friends. I can share anything with her.”
Nithiin and Nikitha Reddy: When sibling support becomes a career partnership
The relationship between Nithiin and his elder sister Nikitha Reddy is different but equally special. Their sibling bond eventually became a professional partnership when Nikitha stepped into film production.
Under their home banner, she backed films including Ishq, Gunde Jaari Gallanthayyinde and Chinnadana Nee Kosam. In a 2014 interview, Nikitha spoke about the importance of scripts and teamwork behind the success of their productions, while her journey as a producer became closely intertwined with her brother’s career.
It is a reminder that sibling support isn’t always expressed through emotional words. Sometimes, it takes the form of standing beside someone when their career needs a fresh start.
The world may know their names, celebrate their successes and follow their every move. Their siblings, however, remember the versions of them that existed before the fame, the mischievous brother, the annoying sister, the protective sibling and the person who was simply there. Because long before they became stars, they were someone’s brother or sister.
And long after the lights go out, that is likely to remain their most personal role.
The post Before They Became Stars: Tollywood’s Brother-Sister Bonds That Fame Couldn’t Change appeared first on Telugu360.
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