Telugu star Sreeleela proves you can chase two dreams at once—and catch them both
While most of us struggle to balance work and life, 24-year-old Sreeleela just showed the world what true dedication looks like. The popular Telugu actress, who’s been lighting up cinema screens across South India, has added a new title to her name: Doctor.
Sreeleela graduated with MBBS degree
On February 10, Sreeleela walked across the stage at DY Patil University in Mumbai, dressed in maroon graduation robes, to receive her MBBS degree. The images from her convocation ceremony have been flooding social media ever since, and honestly? People can’t stop talking about it.
It’s not every day you see someone manage a full-blown film career while pulling all-nighters for medical exams. But Sreeleela did exactly that—for six years straight.
The girl who refused to choose
Born in Detroit in 2001 and raised in Bengaluru, Sreeleela grew up watching her mother work as a gynecologist. Medicine was in her blood, but so was creativity. When the film offers started pouring in during her college years, she faced a choice that would have made most people freeze: acting or medicine?
Her answer? Both.
“It’s truly remarkable,” industry insiders have been saying. “She’d be on set shooting intense scenes one day, then rushing to attend lectures or prepare for practicals the next.”
The discipline it must have taken is almost unimaginable. At a time when her co-stars were taking leisurely pauses before the camera rolled again, Sreeleela was spotted with medical books around her. Exam time was when she would spend nights with little or no sleep after long hours of work.
Moreover, it was not just any graduation for her, as she successfully completed the whole six-year MBBS course along with her batch mates from the 2020 batch within the due time frame
A moment of pure joy
The viral photos during her convocation speak for itself. In one photo, she is all smiles as she accepts her degree, reflecting the weight of sacrifice and hard work she had accumulated during those six years. In another, she is taking her doctor’s oath along with her batch mates, with her beaming face reflecting pride and a bit of emotion.
Her fans have been flooding comment sections with messages of admiration. “This is the kind of role model we need,” wrote one user. “Not just pretty on screen, but brilliant in real life too.”
Still conquering cinema
Here’s the thing though—even while juggling medical school, Sreeleela never let her film career slip.
She just made her Tamil debut with Parashakti, which released during Pongal 2026. The film, directed by Sudha Kongara, stars her opposite Siva Karthikeyan, with Atharvaa and Ravi Mohan in key roles. In interviews, she’s been nothing but gracious, praising Siva Karthikeyan’s humility and professionalism on set.
And she’s not slowing down. Sreeleela is currently preparing for her Hindi film debut opposite Kartik Aaryan in a romantic drama directed by Anurag Basu. The T-Series production is being described as intense and musical, with rumors of a fresh take on the Aashiqui vibe. Early teasers have already created buzz around their on-screen chemistry.
Remember that electrifying dance number “Kissik” from Pushpa 2? That was her too. The song became a massive hit, showcasing her dancing prowess and screen presence.
From glamour to graduation gowns
There’s something beautiful about seeing someone in a glittering saree performing complex dance sequences one day, and in simple graduation robes taking the Hippocratic oath the next. It reminds us that people are multidimensional. That you can love art and science. That ambition doesn’t have to be singular.
Sreeleela’s mother, a gynecologist herself, must be incredibly proud. Not just because her daughter followed in her medical footsteps, but because she did it while blazing her own trail in cinema.
What’s next for Dr. Sreeleela?
The big question everyone’s asking: Will she practice medicine?
For now, Sreeleela seems focused on her film commitments. But having that MBBS degree isn’t just a certificate on the wall—it’s a backup plan, sure, but more importantly, it’s proof of what she’s made of.
Whether she picks up a stethoscope or stays in front of the camera full-time, one thing’s clear: this woman makes things happen.
The takeaway
Sreeleela’s story isn’t just about an actress who became a doctor. It’s about refusing to accept limitations. It’s about young women realizing they can be more than one thing. It’s about hard work, sacrifice, and the stubborn belief that you can have it all if you’re willing to work for it.
In a world that loves putting people in boxes, Sreeleela just broke out of all of them.
Congratulations, Dr Sreeleela. You’ve earned every bit of that applause.
