On the day we reach out to Dr. Dheeraj Reddy, the atmosphere is one of quiet triumph. The cardiovascular surgeon has just wrapped up a bypass surgery. “The patient is fine,” he reports in a buoyant tone. It’s been a particularly packed week for the 42-year-old, not only filled with the life-saving procedures he’s renowned for but also brimming with the anticipation of his next venture—a cinematic endeavor far from the walls of the operating theater.
Dr. Dheeraj Reddy is on the cusp of celebrating the premiere of a Tamil film set for release April 5 in which he plays the protagonist. The film, titled “Double Tuckerr,” showcases the doctor in a light quite different from his medical persona, sharing screen space with two animated characters, whimsically named ‘left’ and ‘right’. Under the capable direction of Meera Mahadhi and featuring a cast comprised of Smruthi Venkat, Kovai Sarala, and MS Baskar, the movie weaves a humorous narrative that reimagines life after death. Dheeraj is convinced that “laughter is the best medicine,” and “Double Tuckerr” promises a hearty dose.
The genesis of “Double Tuckerr” began with a story pitch that morphed from a brief five-minute overture into a full-hour engaging script read that left Dheeraj in stitches. Originally intended to feature mythological figures Yama and Chitragupta with an eye on casting Yogi Babu and Munishkanth, the idea grew into something entirely different once it was determined that Babu had recently played a similar role in another project. This creative roadblock spurred the imaginative introduction of the animated angels. With each turn in the development process, Dheeraj probed the existential question for any filmmaker: Why should an audience invest time in this film? This introspection proved essential in sharpening the narrative. “Children are our target audience,” he points out, indicating a clear focus on family-friendly entertainment.
The melodies composed by music director Vidyasagar are touted to be one of the film’s principal attractions. “He has created magic with the music and background score,” asserts Dheeraj, who has a personal connection with the composer and envisioned him for the project right from the outset.
While medicine has been Dheeraj’s primary vocation—following a rigorous 11-year training that included an MBBS, MS, and MCH—he has harbored a clandestine passion for acting. Although his mother ardently wished for him to pursue a medical career, Dheeraj cultivated his thespian interests resulting in a series of brief stints in short films. One such project, a feel-good short named “Dheergayushmman Bhava,” laid the foundation for this dual career. However, it was his role in “Bodhai Yeri Buddhi Maari,” released in 2019, that opened up new horizons for him as an actor. Initially wary of public skepticism, he was encouraged by the overwhelmingly positive feedback on his performance. Such praise has bolstered his confidence in juggling his dual passions.
Now, with the imminent release of “Double Tuckerr,” Dheeraj is eager to consolidate his reputation as a versatile actor capable of inhabiting a range of characters on screen. “I want to register myself as an actor who can perform any character,” he ambitively states, “I hope to do this till the time I can balance my medical profession and cinema.” As the theatre lights dim and his film prepares to enchant audiences, Dr. Dheeraj Reddy MD—the life-saving surgeon—temporarily gives way to Dheeraj—a star in the constellation of Tamil cinema.
