The 19th American Telugu Association (ATA) Conference & Youth Convention 2026, held in Baltimore, Maryland, turned into a memorable celebration of Telugu cinema as actors Adivi Sesh and Pooja Hegde attended the event as special guests. Their presence added glamour and excitement to one of the largest Telugu gatherings in North America.
Addressing the audience, Adivi Sesh praised the enthusiasm and energy of the attendees. In his trademark humorous style, he remarked that everyone at the convention looked young and energetic, drawing laughter and applause from the crowd. He then invited Pooja Hegde to address the audience, saying, "Ladies first."
Speaking to the gathering, Pooja Hegde expressed her heartfelt gratitude to Telugu audiences for the love and encouragement they have shown throughout her career. She said the affection she receives from Telugu fans is priceless and added that she feels truly fortunate whenever fans lovingly call her "Butta Bomma," a nickname that has become closely associated with her.
Both actors appreciated the efforts of Telugu NRIs in preserving and promoting Telugu language, culture, and cinema even while living abroad. They thanked the global Telugu community for continuing to support Telugu films and for keeping cultural traditions alive across generations.
Their interaction with the audience received a thunderous response, with fans cheering, taking photographs, and celebrating the stars' presence. The session became one of the major highlights of the ATA Conference 2026, reflecting the strong emotional bond between Tollywood celebrities and the global Telugu diaspora.
