For many young professionals, working from home offers flexibility. For Sai Marthandit also became an unexpected step into a completely different career. Before becoming one of the most talked about debutant directors in Telugu cinema, he spent almost two years working as a Network Engineer at Tech Mahindra. Today, his first film, Little Heartshas become one of the biggest surprise commercial hits of 2025.As her film career gains momentum, an Instagram post she shared earlier this year has resurfaced online, giving people a glimpse into her life before the cameras started rolling. In the post, Sai looked back on his corporate days with honesty, humor and gratitude, admitting that his growing love for films had already begun while he was still working as an engineer.
From network engineer to aspiring filmmaker
Sai Marthand worked at Tech Mahindra’s Pune office from 2021 to 2023 as a Network Engineer. Commemorating three years since he resigned from the company, he shared an Instagram post in April reminiscing about his journey.Reflecting on the work-from-home phase, Sai joked that although he was officially employed as a network engineer, he practically worked from “everywhere”. He also made a candid confession that caught the attention of social media users.Instead of presenting himself as the perfect remote employee, Sai wrote that he often slept during work hours, spent time with his cousins, watched countless movies and immersed himself in interviews with filmmakers. Looking back, these activities seem less like distractions and more like the early stages of a dream taking shape.Ending the post with humor, he wrote, “Sorry Mr. Anand,” referring to the Tech Mahindra chairman. Anand Mahindrabefore thanking the company for the memories and describing those years as the most special of his life.Despite the light-hearted tone, Sai also expressed sincere gratitude for his former colleagues, thanking them for their patience and support. He fondly recalled receiving a smart watch as a parting gift when he left the company in April 2023.
Take a leap that paid off
Shortly after resigning, Sai decided to pursue filmmaking full-time. It was a risky career move, but one that quickly began to pay off.His directorial debut, Little Heartsa coming-of-age romantic comedy starring Mouli Tanuj Prasanth and Shivani Nagaram, was produced on a budget of around Rs 2.4 crore and completed in just over a month of shooting.The film went on to become one of the surprising success stories of Telugu cinema in 2025. According to box office tracker Sacnilk, it grossed around Rs 40 crore worldwide, significantly surpassing expectations for a debut film. The success was further amplified by the appreciation of Telugu stars Mahesh Babu and Nani, who helped introduce Sai to a much wider audience. Following its theatrical run, the film also premiered on Netflix, expanding its reach beyond theaters.
Recognition and what follows
The success of Little Hearts industry recognition followed. Sai Marthand received the Best Debut Film Director honor at the Telangana Gaddar Film Awards, marking an impressive start to his film career.His next project is already in the works. Sai will write and direct an untitled film starring Guess Seshand production is expected to begin after the actor wraps up work on G2.Sai Marthand’s journey is one that can resonate with many young professionals who harbor ambitions outside of their day jobs. From a network engineer who attends virtual meetings to a filmmaker whose debut won public and industry acclaim, his story shows how a passion pursued with conviction can become a profession.