Venkatesh (actor)

Venkatesh first appeared as a child actor in the 1971 film Prema Nagar. His first film as a full-fledged lead was K. Raghavendra Rao-directed Kaliyuga Pandavulu (1986), alongside Khushbu Sundar which was a debut for both of them. The film won him a Nandi Special Jury Award.[2]

Early in his career, Venkatesh featured as the lead in Swarnakamalam (1988), directed by K. Viswanath. The film was showcased at the 1988 International Film Festival of India, Asia-Pacific Film Festival and Ann Arbor Film Festival and won several accolades including Nandi Award for Best Feature Film and Filmfare Award for Best Film – Telugu. The film also won him his first Nandi Award for Best Actor. [14] In the following year, he starred in musical romance film Prema (1989).

In the 1990 film Bobbili Raja, he played a young man, who seeks to undo injustice done to his mother. The commercially successful film proved to be a turning point of his career.[15][16] A year later, he starred in Ram Gopal Varma's road movie Kshana Kshanam alongside Sridevi. The film, where Venkatesh played a small time thief, is considered one of best thrillers of Telugu cinema.[17] His portrayal of an innocent villager in Chanti (1992) is also considered a notable role.[16] In 1993, Venkatesh made his debut in Hindi cinema with Anari, a remake of his film Chanti. Later, he also featured in Taqdeerwala (1995).[18]

In 1996, he portrayed an honest lawyer in Dharma Chakram, which won him both Nandi Award and Filmfare Award South.[3][4] Later that year, he played a husband struggling between two wives in E. V. V. Satyanarayana-directed comedy drama Intlo Illalu Vantintlo Priyuralu, which was also a successful venture.[19] In Ganesh (1998), he played a person fighting against the ills in the Indian public healthcare system. The following year, Venkatesh starred in the romantic action film Preminchukundam Raa. The film, which was one of the first portrayals of factionalism in Rayalaseema region, was a big commercial success.[20] His 1999 drama film Raja, where he plays a small time thief who is reformed by his love is also well received by the audience.[19] Following this, he established himself as one of top actors in Telugu cinema.[21]

In 2003, Venkatesh starred in the romantic comedy film Nuvvu Naaku Nachav which was a critical and commercial success.[22] The success continued with Malliswari (2004), in his second collaboration with director K. Vijaya Bhaskar after Nuvvu Naaku Nachav.[19] In 2007, he starred in two films, Aadavari Matalaku Arthale Verule and Tulasi, both of which grossed over ₹30 crore at the box office.[23] In the following years, Venkatesh appeared in several films, including Chintakayala Ravi (2008), Namo Venkatesa (2010) and Bodyguard (2012).[24][25][26]

Venkatesh snapped at CCL.

In 2013, Venkatesh co-starred alongside Mahesh Babu in the critically acclaimed drama film, Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu.[27][28] The film is considered to be the first Telugu multi-starrer film in recent decades, after which Venkatesh went on to feature in other multi-starrer films such as Masala (2013), Gopala Gopala (2015) and F2: Fun and Frustration (2019).[29] F2 grossed over ₹127 crore and ended up as one of the highest-grossing Telugu film of that year.[30]

Venkatesh's performance in Drushyam (2014) received several accolades from the critics.[31] His portrayal of a strict boxing coach in the Sudha Kongara-directed sports drama Guru (2017) is also considered one of his finest performances.[32]

Later in 2019, he starred in Venky Mama, alongside his nephew Naga Chaitanya. The film was a profitable venture, grossing more than ₹72 crore worldwide.[33] In the same year, he dubbed in Telugu for the Genie, in Alladin. He will be seen next in Naarappa, which is currently under production.[3]