Madiraju gave some TV show ideas to famous producer KS Rama Rao and was involved in making pilot episodes while he grew attracted to the bigger, larger than life and more influential medium of film, especially film as a commercial art form.

He worked from 1996 to 1998 with Dasari Narayana Rao for seven films: Kalyana Praptirastu, Osey Ramulamma, Rowdy Durbar, Greek Veerudu, Sammakka Sarakka, Kante Kuthurne Kanali Pichchodi Chethilo Raayi.

He then joined Chiranjeevi's unfinished Hollywood venture Return of Abu – Thief of Bagdad in 1999 as assistant director to Suresh Krissna.

He worked with stalwarts like Richard Kline, the cinematographer who received the Lifetime Achievement Award from ASC; Giles Masters, the production designer of Mummy and The Da Vinci Code; Douchan Gerci, the director; and AR Rahman, the Academy Award-winning composer, and was supported by Hollywood crew, Panavision equipment and world class ideas at work.

[8][9][10] Madiraju has played cameos in films like Osey Ramulamma, Uncle and Andhra Pori, but Nandini Reddy's Kalyana Vaibhogame introduced him as a full time actor.

He made significant appearances in films including Appatlo Okadundevadu, Raja Meeru Keka, and Jawan.