Teja (director)

Teja (born Dharma Teja Jasti, 22 February 1966) is an Indian cinematographer turned director, known for his work primarily in Telugu cinema. He ventured into direction with hits such as "Chitram", "Nuvvu Nenu", "Jayam" and "Nijam" with Mahesh Babu. He has garnered several state Nandi Awards, and Filmfare Award for Best Director – Telugu for "Nuvvu Nenu".
Teja debuted as cinematographer with Ram Gopal Varma's 1992 bilingual film "Raat", for which he won Nandi Award for Best Cinematography. As a cinematographer, He is known for his works in films such as Baazi, "Ghulam", "Sangharsh", "Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hain", "Krodh", "Krishna", "Shastra", "Rakshak", "Money", "Tere Mere Sapne", and "Vishwavidhaata". Teja also shared cinematography works in hits such as "Kshana Kshanam", "Rangeela", "Drohi", "Antham", "Gaayam", and "Govinda Govinda".
Early life.
Teja was born on 22 February 1966 in Madras, Tamil Nadu, to Jasti Balaram Krishna and Jasti Rani. His father was an industrialist, based primarily in Tokyo, Japan.
Early career.
Teja doing any work he could get, ended up working in Tamil film shoots as a lighting assistant. After working in lighting and sound departments he moved into the camera department and worked under Ravikant Nagaich, and W.B. Rao. He then took up assignments for documentaries presented in National Geographic Channel. He then joined the bandwagon of Bollywood.
Directorial debut.
Working as cinematographer, Teja used to frequently schedule Hindi film shoots in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh as to spend more time with his wife and son. Many schedules were planned in Ramoji Film City. "Chitram", Teja's directorial debut was planned entirely in Ramoji Film City on budget of forty lakh rupees. The film became a huge hit and paved way for a variety of new age romantic films in Tollywood. Teja gained notability post the release of "Nuvvu Nenu", an all-time blockbuster and that year's highest grosser. The film received six Nandi Awards and had a total run of three seventy five days. The film was also remade in Hindi starring Tushar Kapoor and Anita Hassanandani.
Subsequent films.
Teja's next film was "Nijam", was released in 2003 starring Mahesh Babu and Rakshitha in lead roles. Nijam was a low grosser at the box office but gained critical appraise. In the following year, Teja made "Jai". Actor Navdeep debuted with the film, he was paired with Santhoshini and Ayesha Jhulka. It was dubbed in Tamil as "Jairam". The film had an average run in both the languages.
Teja later directed "Dhairyam", and "Avunanna Kadanna", simultaneously. Halfway through Dhairyam's shoot Teja dropped the project stating that the producer N. Sudhakar Reddy had changed and edited a part of the film without his consent. Teja returned his remuneration, arranged a press meet and declared he had nothing to do with the film. "Dhairyam" failed at the box office, whereas "Avunanna Kadanna" had a seventy-five-day run and was declared a hit.
Film distribution.
Teja also set up Chitram movies distribution offices in Hyderabad and Vizag. He distributed films such as "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix", "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire", "Spider-Man 2", "Spider-Man 3", ', ', "" and many others in Nizam and other districts.
Personal life.
Aurov Teja, Teja's younger son, died of prolonged illness in Hyderabad on Saturday, 19 March 2011.
Aurov had been suffering from breathing problems and cerebral palsy, caused by faulty medical procedures followed by the hospital at the time of birth. The baby was taken to Beijing, China, New York, United States and Berlin, Germany for medical treatment. On the morning of 19 March 2011, the baby's condition deteriorated and was pronounced dead at 12:11 local time (12:11 IST).
His eldest son, Amitov, made his first screen appearance at the age of four in a cameo role in the Telugu motion picture "Chitram" in 2000.