After five years of courtship, Nani married Anjana Yelavarthy on 27 October 2012.[11][12] Their son Arjun, was born in 2017.[13]
Career
Career beginnings and struggle (2008–2010)
As an undergraduate, Nani got addicted to movies, citing Mani Ratnam as a major influence.[8] He wanted to become a director; however, producer Anil Kumar Koneru allowed him to work on his production, Radha Gopalam (2005), as a "clap director", alongside director Bapu.[8] He then worked for films including Allari Bullodu (2005), Astram (2006), and Dhee (2007). Nani took a break, to work on a film script. Bhargavi Mallela, a friend of his, who was then working as a RJ for World Space Satellite, offered Nani work as an RJ.[8] He accepted the offer and worked there for one year, hosting a program named "Non-Stop Nani".[14][15]
Director Mohan Krishna Indraganti noticed Nani in an advertisement and offered him a role in the aforementioned film Ashta Chamma, also starring Swati Reddy.[8]Ashta Chamma was well received by critics and Nani's performance was praised by them. Sify.com wrote "Nani has a very good screen presence. He has good emotions and dances well, though his body language sometimes reminds of Subhalekha Sudhakar – May this be treated as a compliment to the ease that the veteran actor shows on the screen! His addiction is good too."[16][17] His second film, Ride, was produced by Bellamkonda Suresh, with Tanish, Swetha Basu Prasad and Aksha Pardasany playing important roles. Ride was also a notable success at the box office.[18] He next starred in Satyam Bellamkonda's film Snehituda... opposite Maadhavi Latha. Snehituda... opened to negative reviews and the film was a flop at the box office.[19] In 2010, he played the main role in the film Bheemili Kabaddi Jattu, a remake of Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu, with Saranya Mohan reprising her role as the heroine. The film opened to positive reviews with Nani's performance receiving appreciation. Rediff.com said Nani "perfectly fits into the role" and commended him for selecting the script,[20] and One India commented that Nani "has given his best" and was "suited perfectly to the role".[21] The film was a surprise hit at the box office.[22]
Breakthrough and commercial fluctuations (2011–2014)
His first release in 2011, Ala Modalaindi, was a romantic comedy written and directed by Nandini Reddy, where he was cast opposite Nithya Menen. Nani's performance in the film received positive reviews, with critics noting that he was "completely natural" and "living [his] role".[23][24] The film was a blockbuster at the box office.[25] Simultaneously he did a Tamil film, Veppam, which marked his debut in Tamil cinema. Veppam received mixed reviews, but Nani was appreciated, The Times of India critic called his debut "confident", while Sify called his performance "riveting".[26][27] It was dubbed into Telugu as Sega. Both the versions were box-office failures.[28] Nani's final release of the year was Pilla Zamindar, which opened to mostly positive reviews from critics, and Nani's performance as a spoilt-brat-turned-leader was well appreciated. Radhika Rajamani stated "It is Nani's show all the way. He lives up to the role and is able to portray the kaleidoscope of emotions demanded of him."[29]IndiaGlitz wrote, "Performance-wise, Nani delivers a matured output in the second half as a youth in self-introspecting and self-correcting mode."[30] The film was a hit at the box office, prompting a Tamil dubbed release under the title Jameen.
Nani's first release of 2012, was S. S. Rajamouli's live action project Eega. Shot simultaneously in Tamil as Naan Ee, it featured him opposite Samantha Ruth Prabhu and opened to mostly positive response. Rajeev Masand opined that "Nani sizzles as the lover boy in the few scenes he is seen.", while other critics also added that he leaves a mark in the limited screen time.[31][32] The film was a blockbuster at the box office and was dubbed into Hindi as Makkhi and into Malayalam as Eecha.[33] His other release that year Gautham Vasudev Menon's Yeto Vellipoyindhi Manasu, where he played a college student reuniting with Samantha Ruth Prabhu. He also made a special appearance in its Tamil version, Neethane En Ponvasantham, where Jiiva replaced him. His portrayal of Varun Krishna was highly appreciated by critics. Sangeetha Dundoo from The Hindu noted, "Nani rises to the occasion with a mature performance. He speaks volumes through his eyes and conveys Varun's thoughts through the smallest of mannerisms. The climax completely belongs to him."[34]CNN-IBN found him to be "quintessentially natural".[35] Though the film received mixed reviews from film critics,[36] it had a positive response at the box office, due to Nani and Samantha's performances and won Nani his first and only Nandi Award for Best Actor till date.[37]
In 2014, Nani was first seen in Krishna Vamsi's Paisa. The film revolved around the power of money and its influence over everything in society.[38] Nani played the role of Prakash, a Sherwani model who is obsessed with earning money.[39] The film opened to negative reviews, yet Nani's performance was appreciated by critics. The Hindu critic notedthat he "holds the film together" and proves his merit yet again.[40] The film was a disaster at the box office.[41] He next starred in Yash Raj Films' maiden south Indian production Aaha Kalyanam, the Tamil remake of the 2010 Hindi film Band Baaja Baaraat. The film received mixed to negative reviews, but Nani's performance as Shakti was well received. Sify called his performance "pitch-perfect"[42] It again emerged a commercial failure.[43]
Critical acclaim and progression (2015–2016)
Nani's first played dual roles in the political thriller Janda Pai Kapiraju, alongside Amala Paul, which was simultaneously made in Tamil as Nimirndhu Nil with Jayam Ravi in Nani's role. This movie was a disaster at the box office.[44][45] He then portrayed an IIM graduate in Yevade Subramanyam, which opened to positive response and was commercially successful.[46] Reviewing the film, Hemanth Kumar termed it as one of his best and added, "Nani digs deep into his arsenal of talent to stay true to the character throughout the film."[47] His final release of the year was Bhale Bhale Magadivoy. Nani played an absent-minded junior botanist opposite Lavanya Tripathi.[48] The film was a blockbuster and went on to become the fourth-highest grossing Telugu film of all time at the United States box-office.[49][50] N.Sethumadhavan of the Bangalore Mirror termed Nani "refreshing", "talent to watch" and praised his chemistry with Tripathi. Suresh Kavirayani of the Deccan Chronicle noted, "A complete Nani’s show, whether it’s humour, emotion or romance, Nani does it with ease."[51][52] His performance earned him the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor – Telugu.[53]
Post, Bhale Bhale Mogadivoy, Nani earned more critical praises in 2016. His first release was Krishna Gaadi Veera Prema Gaadha, opposite Mehreen Pirzada.[54] The film opened to positive response from critics, The Hans India said, "A truly stand out performance from Nani for sure, who plays to his strength and exudes a natural feel to his character on screen."[55] It became Nani's biggest opener in India, beating the records of Bhale Bhale Magadivoy.[56] In his next film, Nani played dual roles of a businessman and IIM graduate opposite Surbhi and Nivetha Thomas in Gentleman.[57] Purnima Sriram of The New Indian Express termed it a "game-changer" for Nani and added, "Nani nailed both the roles. He has shouted out loud to the world that he can play any role flawlessly and effortlessly."[58] It went onto become his third highest grosser after Eega and Bhale Bhale Magadivoy. It won him the Nandi Special Jury Award.[59][60] After playing Regina Cassandra's boyfriend in Jyo Achyutananda, Nani played an assistant director alongside Anu Emmanuel in Majnu, his last film that year. It was a commercial success.[61][62]
Established actor and expansion (2017–2020)
Nani at an event
Nani further established himself with commercial successess in 2017. Nenu Local, directed by Trinadha Rao Nakkina, was Nani's first release of the year, where he appeared opposite Keerthy Suresh.[63]Idlebrain was appreciative of his performance and added that he carries the film "single handedly".[64] The film became Nani's highest-grossing film to date.[65] Nani played a doctor, in Ninnu Kori reuniting with Nivetha Thomas. While, a critic of Firstpost stated, "Nani is terrific. Although he has a funny side, there’s plenty of emotional weight that he carries throughout the film.", Priyanka Sundar of The Indian Express found him to be "repetitive".[66][67] A commercial success, it became his second-highest-grosser after Nenu Local.[68] Later the year, he played a boy with eidetic memory in Middle Class Abbayi, opposite Sai Pallavi. The film became a major commercial success, breaking Nenu Local's record to become his highest-grossing release.[69][70]
Nani's first release in 2019 was Jersey, opposite Shraddha Srinath, where he played a former cricketer who restart cricket for his son.[78] A critical and commercial success, it is considered as the most important film of his career and was listed as one of the "Best Telugu films of 2019".[79][80] Haricharan Pudipeddi of Hindustan Times noted, "Nani is terrific as Arjun and he hasn’t looked so comfortable in role in a while."[81] Janani K of India Today stated, "Nani's expressions are pitch-perfect for Jersey. He plays the role of an attacking right-hand batsman and Nani's cricketing technique is top-notch." It won him the SIIMA Critics Award for Best Actor – Telugu.[82] Nani then played a crime novelist in Nani's Gang Leader. It received mixed reviews but became a box-office success.[83]Times of India's Suhas Yellapantula called him the film's "heart and soul" and added that he brings the film "to life".[84]
Nani's only release in 2020 was his 25th film, V, where he played a serial killer opposite Aditi Rao Hydari. The film's was Nani's first OTT release (it was released on Amazon Prime Video), and was also his first negative character.[85][86] Despite receiving mixed reviews, it became the most watched Telugu film on a streaming platform.[87] Sowmya Rajendran of The News Minute opined, "Nani definitely makes a difference when he steps in. He's effortlessly funny, spooking people around him with his dark humour. But you do question his actions post the truth reveal."[88]
Commercial success and stardom (2021–present)
In 2021, Nani first appeared as a revenue officer in Tuck Jagadish, alongside Ritu Varma. It was his second OTT release, post V and received negative reviews from critics, with his performance earning mixed reviews.[89][90] In the same year, Nani played dual roles of a Bengali writer and his reincarnation, an aspiring filmmaker in Shyam Singha Roy, opposite Sai Pallavi and Krithi Shetty.[91][92] It proved to be a major commercial success.[93] Sankeertana Varma of Firstpost found him to be "impressive" and added, "Nani is especially great in scenes where he is slowly moving away from Vasu and embarrassing his inner Shyam".[94] The film won him another Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor – Telugu, making him the only Telugu actor to win the award twice.[95]
Nani played Sundar, a Brahmin boy in love with a Christian girl, opposite Nazriya Nazim, in his first release of 2022, Ante Sundaraniki.[96][97] The film was an average at domestic box-office, but became one of the highest-grossing releases of the year worldwide.[98] Murali Krishna CH of Cinema Express stated, "Nani stay sincere and committed to his character. Nani serves up a reminder of how funny he can be in a role that he would perfectly fit into."[99] Later the year, he appeared as Arjun Sarkaar IPS in HIT: The Second Case, revealing himself as the lead of HIT: The Third Case.[100]
In his first release of 2023, Nani played a young ruffian who steals coal in Dasara, reuniting with Keerthy Suresh.[101][102]Dasara became the highest-grossing film of Nani's career, leaving behind all his previous films.[103][104] Chirag Sehgal of News18 noted, "Nani is amazing in what he does. He is a treat to watch and plays his part with utmost ease and perfection. But, his less screentime in the first half is little disappointing."[105] In his next film Hi Nanna, Nani played a fashion photographer and single father opposite Mrunal Thakur.[106] While, Neeshita Nyayapati of Hindustan Times found him to be "flawless", Raghu Bandi of The Indian Express termed him "impressive".[107][108] The film became a commercial success worldwide.[109]
In his only release of 2024, Nani played a vigilant who fights against injustice in, Saripodhaa Sanivaaram, opposite Priyanka Mohan.[110][111] Sangeetha Devi Dundoo of The Hindu was appreciative of his "calibrated performance" and "simmering, controlled rage".[112] The film turned another box office success for him.[113] Nani will next appear in HIT: The Third Case and The Paradise.[114][115]
Apart from his acting career, Nani is a philanthropist. Nani donated a huge sum during the 2015 South India floods to people affected by it.[134] In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, he donated a sum of ₹30 lakhs to the Corona Virus Charity Fund. That same year, he organised a campaign with Cyberabad Police, urging people to donate their blood plasma for COVID patients.[135][136] Nani donated his blood, to help children suffering from Thalassemia.[137]
Public image
Nani at an interview in 2018
Nani is considered as one of the most popular and highest paid Telugu actors, according to media reports.[138][139] In Rediff.com's "Top Telugu Actors" list, Nani was placed fourth in 2011 and third in 2012.[140][141] His performance in Jersey is regarded as one of the "100 Greatest Performances of the Decade" by Film Companion.[142] He stood at the 19th place on its most influential stars on Instagram in South cinema for the year 2021 list.[143]
Nani is affectionately referred to as "Natural Star" by the audience, for to his realistic performances in a variety of roles.[144][145][146] In the Hyderabad Times Most Desirable Men list, he was placed 18th in 2013, 8th in 2015, 3rd in 2016,[147][148][149] 10th in 2017, 27th in 2019 and 26th in 2020.[150][151][152] Nani is a celebrity endorser for several brands and products such as Otto, Sprite, Minute Maid, Close–Up and Minister White shirts.[153]
Murali Sharma is an Indian actor who works predominantly in Telugu and Hindi films. Sharma has starred in over 130 feature films including Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Marathi, Kannada and Malayalam cinema.
Gopi Sundar C. S. is an Indian music director, programmer, playback singer, songwriter, actor and performer who works in the Malayalam, Telugu and Tamil film industries.
Posani Naga Sudheer Babu is an Indian actor and former professional badminton player. He works primarily in Telugu films. Debuted as a lead actor in Shiva Manasulo Shruti (2012), Babu's successful films include Prema Katha Chitram (2013), Baaghi (2016), and Sammohanam (2018). He won SIIMA Special Jury award for his performance in Sammohanam.
Lavanya Konidela Tripathi is an Indian actress who primarily works in Telugu and Tamil films. Tripathi is a recipient of several accolades including nominations for two SIIMA Awards and one Filmfare Awards South.
Keerthy Suresh is an Indian actress who appears predominantly in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam films. Her accolades include one National Film Award, five SIIMA Awards and two Filmfare Awards South. Keerthy was placed in Forbes India's 30 Under 30 list of 2021.
Bhale Bhale Magadivoy is a 2015 Indian Telugu-language romantic comedy film written and directed by Maruthi. Produced by Bunny Vasu under the production companies GA2 Pictures and UV Creations, Bhale Bhale Magadivoy stars Nani and Lavanya Tripathi, with Murali Sharma, Ajay, Naresh, Sithara, and Vennela Kishore in supporting roles. The film revolves around Lucky, an absent-minded plant scientist and his efforts to hide his inherent memory-related flaws from Nandana, a benevolent Kuchipudi dancer with whom he is in a relationship.
Krishna Gaadi Veera Prema Gaadha is a 2016 Indian Telugu-language romantic comedy thriller film written and directed by Hanu Raghavapudi. Produced by Ram Achanta, Gopichand Achanta and Anil Sunkara under 14 Reels Entertainment, the film features Nani and debutant Mehreen Pirzada in the lead roles while Harish Uthaman, Sampath Raj, Murali Sharma, and Brahmaji play supporting roles. The film released on 12 February 2016. The film is considered one of the "25 Greatest Telugu Films Of The Decade" by Film Companion.
SIIMA Award for Best Actor – Telugu is presented by Vibri media group as part of its annual South Indian International Movie Awards, for the best acting done by an actor in Telugu films. The award was first given in 2012 for films released in 2011. Mahesh Babu is the most nominated with 8 nominations and most awarded, winning four times.
Nenu Local is a 2017 Indian Telugu-language romantic comedy film directed by Trinadha Rao Nakkina, written by Prasanna Kumar Bezawada, and produced by Dil Raju under Sri Venkateswara Creations. The film stars Nani, Keerthy Suresh and Naveen Chandra, alongside Sachin Khedekar, Tulasi, Posani Krishna Murali, Easwari Rao and Rao Ramesh. The music was composed by Devi Sri Prasad, while cinematography and editing were handled by Nizar Shafi and Prawin Pudi.
Nizar Shafi is an Indian cinematographer and film director who works mainly in the Tamil film industry and Telugu cinema. He was critically acclaimed for his work in Sutta Kadhai, Naaigal Jaakirathai, Bhale Bhale Magadivoy and Nenu Local. He debuted as a director with Tamil and Telugu bilingual film Seven.
Nani is an Indian actor, film producer and television presenter who works predominantly in Telugu films and appears in a few Tamil films. He made his acting debut with Mohana Krishna Indraganti's 2008 comedy film Ashta Chamma, an Indian adaptation of Oscar Wilde's play The Importance of Being Earnest. After Ashta Chamma's commercial success, Nani played the lead roles in three Telugu films in the next two years: Ride (2009), Snehituda (2009) and Bheemili Kabaddi Jattu (2010). In 2011, Nani collaborated with B. V. Nandini Reddy on the romantic comedy film Ala Modalaindi which was profitable. The same year, he made his Tamil cinema debut with Anjana Ali Khan's Veppam, a crime drama set in the backdrop of North Chennai. The following year, Nani collaborated with S. S. Rajamouli and Gautham Vasudev Menon on the Telugu-Tamil bilingual Eega and the romance film Yeto Vellipoyindhi Manasu respectively. The former, which was about a murdered man reincarnating as a housefly and avenging his death, earned Nani an award in the Best Hero category at the 2013 Toronto After Dark Film Festival. He received the Nandi Award for Best Actor for his performance in Yeto Vellipoyindhi Manasu.
Ghajinikanth is a 2018 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film written and directed by Santhosh P. Jayakumar and produced by K. E. Gnanavel Raja. The film stars Arya and Sayyeshaa in the lead roles. It is a remake of the 2015 Telugu film Bhale Bhale Magadivoy.
The SIIMA Award for Best Film – Telugu is presented by Vibri media group as part of its annual South Indian International Movie Awards for Telugu films. The award was first given in 2012 for films released in 2011.
SIIMA Award for Best Director – Telugu is presented by Vibri media group as part of its annual South Indian International Movie Awards, for best film direction done by a director in Telugu films. The award was first given in 2012 for films released in 2011. Trivikram Srinivas is the most nominated with 5 nominations while S. S. Rajamouli is the most awarded director with three wins.
SIIMA Award for Best Music Director – Telugu is presented by Vibri media group as part of its annual South Indian International Movie Awards, for best music production done by a music artist in Telugu Music. The award was first given in 2012 for songs and music albums released in 2011. Devi Sri Prasad is the most nominated with 14 nominations and most awarded with seven times winning the award.
Dasara (transl. Vijayadasami) is a 2023 Indian Telugu-language period action drama film directed by Srikanth Odela and produced by Sudhakar Cherukuri. It stars an ensemble cast of Nani, Keerthy Suresh, Dheekshith Shetty, Shine Tom Chacko, Samuthirakani, P. Sai Kumar and Shamna Kasim. The film marks the directorial debut of Odela and Chacko's acting debut in Telugu cinema. Santhosh Narayanan composed the soundtrack and background score, while the cinematography and editing were composed by Sathyan Sooryan and Naveen Nooli.
Dheekshith Shetty is an Indian film and television actor who predominantly works in Kannada and Telugu films. He is widely known for Dia (2020), Dasara (2023) and Blink (2024), and the television show Naagini. Shetty won the SIIMA Award for Best Supporting Actor – Telugu for his performance in Dasara (2023).
Bhale Bhale Magadivoy is the soundtrack to the 2015 film of the same name directed by Maruthi Dasari starring Nani. The soundtrack featured five songs composed by Gopi Sunder, and lyrics written by Ramajogayya Sastry, Sri Mani, and Bhaskarabhatla Ravi Kumar. The soundtrack was released by Lahari Music on 15 August 2015, after three songs from the album were preceded as singles.
Srikanth Odela is an Indian film director and screenwriter who works in Telugu cinema. He made his directorial debut with Dasara, which emerged as a commercial success at the box office, grossing over ₹117.50 crore worldwide. He has won a Filmfare Award and a SIIMA Award for the film.
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