(December 3, 2025) When Rakesh Galebhe left his childhood home in Hyderabad and stepped into the unfamiliar world of San Francisco, his dream to make it as an actor was still alive, a dream he had pursued in India by acting in short films. Today, his journey straddles two worlds. While building a thriving tech career in San Francisco, he has also emerged as a diaspora actor giving Telugu cinema a voice far from home. His journey from first-day, first-show seats in Hyderabad theatres to acting in feature films while being based in the U.S., all while maintaining a full-time tech career, embodies the spirit of global Indians who carry their culture across borders and balance professional demands with artistic ambition.
Having acted in four feature films, web series, and commercials, his work has earnined him multiple awards. His films include Gatham (IFFI Goa Best Film 2020, released on Netflix/Prime), ID (multiple Best Actor awards, Dada Saheb Phalke for Best Editing), and Rahasyam Idham Jagath (streaming on ETV, Dada Saheb Phalke for Best VFX).
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Those formative years
The actor grew up in a middle-class family in Hyderabad, Telangana. “I was always good at academics and actively involved in sports,” he recalls in a chat with Global Indian, painting a picture of a disciplined childhood shaped by supportive parents. Alongside the emphasis on education, something else stirred inside him: a fascination with cinema.
He often accompanied his grandfather to watch movie after movie on the first-day, first-show: those early visits to the theatre, the flicker of the silver screen, the music, the stories, they awakened something deep.
From Hyderabad to San Francisco
In 2013, Rakesh took a major turn: he moved to USA, to pursue his master’s degree Business Administration at Ottawa University in Arizona. The relocation was more than a change in geography, it was the beginning of a new chapter in his personal, professional, and creative life.
Once in the U.S., Rakesh could have followed a predictable path: finish his degree, land in tech, settle in. Yet, life had other designs. Some filmmaker friends reached out, inviting him to act in their short film. Naturally, he hesitated: his shyness was still real. But when they said the role was of a “Pawan Kalyan fan,” something inside him stirred. “I initially refused due to my shyness, but when they said the role was that of a Pawan Kalyan fan, I paused and reconsidered. A day later, I said yes.”
That “yes” was the turning point. What began as a small, experimental short soon took off: and with that, the trajectory of his life was changed. The experience reaffirmed not just a latent interest, but a calling. Acting was no longer just a childhood fascination, or a whimsical diversion. It was real, charged with potential.
Silver screen dreams, diaspora realities
Growing up in Hyderabad, Rakesh found his earliest artistic inspiration in the larger-than-life presence of Telugu actor Chiranjeevi. But as his tastes matured, it was the more grounded, naturalistic performances of actors like Pawan Kalyan, Nani, Suriya, Dhanush and Dulquer Salmaan that truly resonated with him.
He admired their authenticity, their choice of scripts, their ability to portray real people, real emotions. “I’m a big fan especially their natural performances and script choices,” he says.
Starting an acting career in the U.S., especially for a Telugu-language storyteller wasn’t easy. Rakesh found himself in a foreign film landscape, where terms, workflows, production norms all felt new. He couldn’t rely on the familiar networks of Hyderabad or Telugu film circuits.
He had to build from scratch: find like-minded people passionate about filmmaking, coordinate schedules, script, shoot, edit, and produce, often balancing this with a full-time job. Over time, a permanent team emerged, and they began regularly producing short films. Those early films laid the foundation. And when the opportunity came to act as the lead in a bigger project with a more established production outfit, Rakesh took it.
A fine balance
By day, Rakesh works as a Solutions Architect at a large technology company, a career that provides stability. But his heart remains with cinema. Balancing both worlds is no small feat. He shares, “Most of my film shoots happen during the Christmas holiday season, from mid-December to the end of the month. Smaller shoots and patchwork are scheduled during long weekends. This rhythm allows me to manage both careers effectively.”
Today, he stands among a select few Telugu actors based in the U.S. who have led four full-length indie feature films. It’s a milestone he never sought deliberately: but one he values deeply. “Honestly, I believe it’s destiny,” he says. “Hearing that I’m one of the few Telugu actors in the U.S. to star in four feature films feels special.”
His motivation has always been simple: to act, to express, to explore. Whether it’s preparing for a role, changing physical appearance, or diving into a character’s psyche: each film is a fresh challenge, a new world.
The realities of diaspora filmmaking
Making Telugu films in the U.S. comes with unique challenges. Everything is harder: from finding technicians, actors, film locations, to arranging production and release. “Everything is a challenge: from finding technicians, actors, producers, and locations to managing logistics and finally releasing the film,” he says.
The pace is slower. Many projects stretch over months or years. There’s no guarantee of mainstream recognition, big budgets, or instant returns. What counts, above all else is patience, persistence, and passion.
One question many ask him: why stay in the indie circuit in the U.S. instead of waiting for mainstream opportunities from Hyderabad? His answer is simple: don’t wait. “I’m absolutely open to mainstream opportunities, I just haven’t received one yet,” he admits. “I prefer not to wait passively.”
In his eyes, independent filmmaking isn’t second-rate or stop-gap. It’s a way to keep learning, keep creating, and stay connected to the craft until larger doors open.
Turning points that mattered
Looking back, Rakesh cites a few key turning points. Working with MR Productions was one: a production house with a prolific history of short films. When he joined them, they had already produced nearly 85 short films. And the one they offered him, their 100th, became a landmark. The short film, titled Prayanam, marked their transition from shorts to feature projects. It resonated deeply with audiences and gave Rakesh the confidence to think bigger. Another turning point was his role in Gatham, a feature film directed by Kiran Kondamadugula. The film’s release opened new doors and recognition for him in diaspora cinema circles.
For Rakesh, ‘global Telugu cinema’ isn’t just a tagline. It’s a vision. It means telling Telugu stories from wherever you are, even from halfway around the world, without losing the essence of language, culture, emotion. “It means giving Telugu stories a global platform and proving that our narratives can appeal to audiences everywhere,” he says.
What’s next?
Looking ahead, the young actor has much on his slate. His film Gatham 2 is currently in post-production, and he’s excited for its release. He is also working on new scripts and collaborations, each promising to challenge him differently.
But beyond projects, his aim remains the same: to grow as an actor, to tell stories with depth, and to explore diverse roles. Whether it’s emotional dramas, gritty realism, or cross-cultural tales: he wants to expand his range, push boundaries, and continue evolving.
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When he’s not shooting, scripting, or planning his next role, Rakesh likes to travel, relax, and spend quality time with his wife: a strong support system through this unpredictable, unconventional journey. That balance: between code and camera, between deadlines and daydreams, between America’s opportunities and India’s roots has become his hallmark.
As he puts it: acting keeps him alive, “whether it’s prepping for a role, changing my appearance, or diving into a character’s world, cinema pushes me forward.”
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