Vimal Krishna — Biography, the DJ Tillu Director’s Career, Movies & Full Story (2026)

Quick Info: Profession: Film Director & Writer (Telugu cinema) | Breakthrough: DJ Tillu (2022) | Known For: Creating the DJ Tillu phenomenon & co-writing the character with Siddhu Jonnalagadda | Next: Anumana Pakshi (2026)

Note: Vimal Krishna is a film director whose professional work and career background are well documented through his own interviews, but who keeps his private life low-profile. His exact date of birth, age, and family specifics are not publicly confirmed, so this profile focuses on his verified career and is transparent about what is not on record.

Every blockbuster franchise starts with a single film — and someone who dreamed it up. Before there was a Tillu Square, a Tillu Cube, or a beloved pop-culture character quoted across the Telugu-speaking world, there was a debutant director who narrated a quirky story about a small-time DJ to his actor friend back in 2019. That director is Vimal Krishna, and the film became DJ Tillu, one of the surprise blockbusters of 2022.

Vimal Krishna is the creative mind who originated the DJ Tillu phenomenon — co-writing its unforgettable lead character and directing the film that launched a franchise. Yet in one of the more interesting turns in recent Telugu cinema, he did not return to direct its hit sequel. This is his story: how an engineering student built one of Tollywood’s most memorable characters, and where his career goes from here.

Early Life & Path Into Cinema

Unlike many film personalities who guard every detail, Vimal Krishna has spoken candidly in interviews about how he entered the industry — even as he keeps his private life low-key.

He studied engineering, pursuing a B.Tech in Visakhapatnam (Vizag). During the middle of his course, his family relocated to Hyderabad — the hub of the Telugu film industry — and, as he has recalled, once he landed there he “straight away jumped into films.” Cinema was in his blood: his father was such a devoted film lover that, long ago, he had left home to travel to Madras (Chennai) hoping to meet the legendary Telugu Superstar Krishna, staying for months before being brought back home. With that kind of passion in the household, Vimal faced no family resistance to chasing a film career.

His entry point was a personal connection. He has credited his classmate Ravikanth Perepu — the director of the acclaimed thriller Kshanam — with bringing him into the industry. Vimal worked in the direction department on earlier films, including previous projects of the actor Siddhu Jonnalagadda, a collaboration that would later prove pivotal. He has also mentioned a lifelong desire to lead — noting he was a cricket captain in his younger days — a temperament well suited to the demands of directing.

His exact date of birth, age, and other personal specifics are not publicly confirmed, and this profile does not guess at them. What is clear is the shape of his path: an engineering student with cinema in his family, drawn into filmmaking through friendship and apprenticeship.

Creating DJ Tillu — The Character & The Debut

Vimal Krishna’s defining achievement is the creation of DJ Tillu — both the film and its iconic central character, which he co-wrote and directed as his feature debut.

The origins date to 2019, when Vimal narrated the storyline to actor Siddhu Jonnalagadda; production was then delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The project was announced in October 2020 under the title Narudi Brathuku Natana, later shortened and changed to the punchier DJ Tillu. Crucially, the acclaimed writer-director Trivikram Srinivas guided Vimal and the team in shaping the story and screenplay — significant mentorship for a debutant.

The character of Tillu — a self-hyping, expressive, morally flexible aspiring disc jockey — was Vimal’s creative invention, drawn from real life. As he explained, during his early days in Hyderabad he met and observed several DJs and was struck by “their conversations, attitude and body language,” noting that “they carry a different persona and each one is his own boss.” He infused those characteristics into Tillu, building a character that audiences found instantly relatable and endlessly quotable.

DJ Tillu, co-written by Vimal and Siddhu Jonnalagadda and produced by Naga Vamsi under Sithara Entertainments, released theatrically on February 12, 2022. Critics praised its breezy, quirky energy and Siddhu’s performance, and it became a genuine blockbuster — earning around ₹30 crore worldwide on a modest budget of roughly ₹10 crore, a standout success in a year dominated by pan-India giants like RRR.

The Franchise He Started — But Didn’t Continue

One of the most notable aspects of Vimal Krishna’s career is that, despite creating the DJ Tillu character and directing the original blockbuster, he did not direct the hit sequel.

When Tillu Square — the sequel — was announced, the director’s chair went to Mallik Ram, replacing Vimal Krishna from the first film. Tillu Square went on to become a big hit in 2024, and the franchise is continuing with a reported third installment. Vimal, meanwhile, moved on to develop his own separate projects.

Director changes between installments of a franchise are not unusual in the film industry, and can happen for many reasons — creative direction, scheduling, or a filmmaker’s desire to pursue fresh material. What makes Vimal’s case noteworthy is simply the scale of what he originated: he built the character and the world that a successful, ongoing franchise now rests upon. Even without directing the sequels, his foundational creative contribution is undeniable — the entire Tillu universe grew from the film and character he made.

This is an important point often lost in franchise coverage. The person who creates a hit character and launches a franchise leaves a lasting mark on it regardless of who directs later films. Vimal Krishna is, and remains, the originator of DJ Tillu.

What’s Next — Upcoming Films

After DJ Tillu established him as a director capable of delivering a hit debut, Vimal Krishna has been developing new projects of his own.

According to available listings, his upcoming work includes a film titled Anumana Pakshi (reported for 2026) and an untitled project associated with actor Venkatesh — a notable step, as working with an established star like Venkatesh would mark a significant move up. Some sources also connect him to earlier or associated titles, though his post-DJ Tillu slate is still taking shape.

The trajectory is that of a director who proved himself with a breakout debut and is now working to build a lasting body of work beyond the franchise he created. Having demonstrated a clear talent for character-driven comedy and commercial storytelling — and having cited a love of stylish filmmakers like Guy Ritchie — Vimal Krishna has the foundation to carve out a distinctive directorial identity. His next films will show whether he can repeat, and build on, the success of his remarkable debut.

Lesser Known Facts About Vimal Krishna

• Vimal Krishna created and co-wrote the iconic “DJ Tillu” character, which now anchors a hit franchise.
• He studied B.Tech engineering in Visakhapatnam before entering films.
• His family moved to Hyderabad during his studies, after which he “straight away jumped into films.”
• His father was a passionate cinema lover who once travelled to Madras hoping to meet Superstar Krishna.
• He entered the industry through his classmate Ravikanth Perepu, director of the thriller Kshanam.
• He narrated the DJ Tillu story to Siddhu Jonnalagadda in 2019, but production was delayed by COVID-19.
• The acclaimed director Trivikram Srinivas mentored the story and screenplay of DJ Tillu.
• He based Tillu’s persona on real DJs he observed in Hyderabad — their attitude and body language.
• DJ Tillu earned around ₹30 crore worldwide on a ~₹10 crore budget, a major success.
• He did not direct the sequel, Tillu Square — Mallik Ram took over as director.
• He is an admirer of filmmaker Guy Ritchie.
• His upcoming projects reportedly include Anumana Pakshi (2026) and an untitled Venkatesh film.

Also Read: Sharvari

3 Things Most Articles About Vimal Krishna Miss

1. He is the true originator of a franchise he no longer directs. The headlines around the Tillu films now focus on the sequels and their director, but the entire universe traces back to Vimal Krishna. He conceived the character, co-wrote it, and directed the debut that made it a phenomenon. Franchise coverage tends to spotlight whoever made the latest hit, but the creative DNA of DJ Tillu is Vimal’s. Recognising the originator, not just the continuer, is both fairer and more accurate.

2. The character came from real observation, not just imagination. Tillu didn’t spring from thin air. Vimal built the character by watching real Hyderabad DJs and absorbing their swagger, speech, and self-belief. That grounding in observed reality is a big part of why Tillu felt authentic and relatable rather than cartoonish. It’s a genuine insight into his method — he’s a filmmaker who draws characters from life — and it’s usually reduced to a footnote.

3. His debut succeeded against the odds, with the right mentorship. DJ Tillu was a debutant’s film with a modest budget, released in a year of pan-India blockbusters — and it still broke through. Part of that came from smart mentorship: Trivikram Srinivas guiding the screenplay, and a strong creative partnership with Siddhu Jonnalagadda. Vimal’s success wasn’t luck; it was a well-crafted, well-guided debut that punched far above its budget. That combination of talent and the humility to be mentored is worth more attention than the “director who left the franchise” framing usually allows.

FAQ — What People Are Searching About Vimal Krishna

Who is Vimal Krishna?

Vimal Krishna is an Indian film director and writer in Telugu cinema, best known for creating and directing the 2022 blockbuster DJ Tillu. He co-wrote the film — and its iconic lead character — with actor Siddhu Jonnalagadda, and it became his breakout debut. An engineering graduate who entered films through the direction department, he is now developing new projects including Anumana Pakshi.

Did Vimal Krishna direct DJ Tillu?

Yes. Vimal Krishna directed DJ Tillu (2022) as his debut film and co-wrote it with star Siddhu Jonnalagadda. Produced by Naga Vamsi under Sithara Entertainments and mentored on story by Trivikram Srinivas, the film was a major box-office success and launched the popular Tillu franchise.

Why didn’t Vimal Krishna direct Tillu Square?

Vimal Krishna directed the original DJ Tillu but did not return for the sequel, Tillu Square (2024); director Mallik Ram took over instead. Director changes between franchise installments are common and can happen for creative or scheduling reasons. Despite not directing the sequel, Vimal remains the originator of the DJ Tillu character and world.

What is Vimal Krishna’s next movie?

Vimal Krishna’s upcoming projects reportedly include a film titled Anumana Pakshi (2026) and an untitled project associated with actor Venkatesh. After the success of his DJ Tillu debut, he has been developing his own separate films beyond the franchise he created.

What is Vimal Krishna’s educational background?

Vimal Krishna studied engineering, completing a B.Tech in Visakhapatnam. His family moved to Hyderabad during his studies, and he entered the film industry through the direction department — brought in by his classmate Ravikanth Perepu, the director of Kshanam — before making his own directorial debut with DJ Tillu.

Vimal Krishna’s story is a reminder that behind every franchise is a founder — the person who imagined it first. An engineering student turned filmmaker, he observed real Hyderabad DJs, dreamed up a self-hyping character named Tillu, and, with smart mentorship and a talented collaborator, turned a modest debut into one of 2022’s biggest Telugu hits. The character he created now powers an entire film universe.

That he stepped away from directing the sequels does not diminish his achievement; if anything, it clarifies it. Vimal Krishna is the originator of DJ Tillu, and that foundational creative act is his lasting mark on Telugu cinema. With new films on the horizon, including a reported project alongside a major star, the director who dreamed up Tillu now has the chance to show what else his imagination can build. For the mind behind a phenomenon, the most interesting work may still lie ahead.