Jagapathi Babu makes his television debut with Jayyammu Nischayammu Raa, a new celebrity talk show on Zee Telugu produced by Vyjayanthi Movies. While the format features conversations with celebrity families, the actor insists it is not a typical star-studded showcase. Instead, he describes it as a “personal and friendly talk show” — a space where he reconnects with actors, many of whom are childhood friends or colleagues he has shared the screen with.
“Fortunately, I don’t have anybody against me, nor do I hold anything against anyone. So I’m in a good place,” he says, adding that the show is rooted in camaraderie.
Inspirational show
Jagapathi Babu
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Special Arrangement
Jayyammu Nischayammu Raa, which translates to “victory is inevitable”, marks Jagapathi Babu’s TV debut on Zee Telugu. The show sees him in heartfelt conversations with personalities from the film industry and beyond, drawing out anecdotes, memories, and experiences that also highlight how they overcame life’s toughest odds.
New episode
Actress Sreeleela appears in the next episode of Jayyammu Nischayammu Raa
Jagapathi hopes these stories will resonate with anyone struggling to find motivation. “My life, as everyone knows, has been a roller coaster. Everybody falls and everybody gets up. Ultimately, we bounce back. I want people to feel comfortable, to wait for their time, and to understand that nothing is really lost until life itself is lost. Save your life, and then you can do anything,” he says.
He also wants viewers to see that celebrities, too, face struggles like everyone else. “There are many people who feel mentally low and have given up. This show is for them. I want them to know celebrities also go through ups and downs. We’re equal.”
Jagapathi Babu with Nagarjuna on the sets of Jayyammu Nischayammu Raa,
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Special Arrangement
The first episode, telecast on August 17 with actor Nagarjuna as the guest, was especially emotional for Jagapathi. It brought back a flood of memories and gave him a chance to clear a few things that had been unsaid for years. “There was a lot of fun, some emotional moments, and even little clarifications. I was thanking Zee for making this rendezvous happen. We’re childhood friends, but hardly meet these days. Thanks to this show, I got him exclusively for myself for three hours, and we bonded again.”
Being real
The actor showcases his unfiltered side to his followers — 1.1 million on Instagram, 1 million on Twitter, and 22 lakh on Facebook. Unlike many of his peers, his social media is not dominated by movie promotions or birthday wishes; instead, he uses it to connect authentically. “I am not a social media person, but I like to interact with people who have been with me for 35 years. I want to tell them that, like you, I am also a common man. People think stars have a special life, but we are also normal human beings,” he says.
In a happy space
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Special Arrangement
Authenticity is central to his philosophy. He wants to present himself without filters and remind people of their shared humanity. “I want to live in the truth as much as possible. I can’t say I’m absolutely pure, 100% on everything, but at least something close to what we are before forgetting who we are. People have almost forgotten love, which we cannot afford to forget. I want to spread love and the beautiful factor that ‘nobody is less, nobody is more’.”
The seasoned actor has worked across Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada cinema. At 63, he leans on the Telugu phrase Oopiri Unnantha Varaku Opika Undaali (Till you have breath, let there be patience) and cites Amitabh Bachchan’s relentless spirit as an inspiration to keep pursuing his craft. “It is all about passion and love and how you’re enjoying your journey.”
From making an OTT debut in 2018 to seamlessly transitioning into impactful negative roles in Telugu cinema, Jagapathi Babu has never chosen the safer route. A strong believer in destiny, he prefers to go with the flow. “I do not like being in one room or place. I want to be in the open, not between four walls. I like to live life.”
Looking ahead, he hopes to keep experimenting with challenging characters. “The only thing in the world I know is cinema. I don’t know anything else, because everybody knows I’m a bad businessman — I have neither the intelligence, inclination, nor greed for money. What is there is enough.”
Jayyammu Nischayammu Raa on Zee 5 and Zee Telugu on Sundays at 9pm
Published – August 20, 2025 02:35 pm IST
