Venkatesh Maha | |
|---|---|
 Maha at C/o Kancharapalem success meet in 2018 | |
| Born | |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2011–present |
| Organization | Mahayana Motion Pictures LLP |
Venkatesh Maha is an Indian film director, screenwriter and actor who works in Telugu cinema. He's known for directing films such as C/o Kancharapalem (2018) and Uma Maheswara Ugra Roopasya (2020).
Maha left his house at the age of sixteen and worked at various jobs. He worked as a spot boy for the film Teen Maar (2011) before he made his acting debut with Aakasame Haddu that same year. He made his directorial debut with the film C/o Kancharapalem (2018) which was shot in the suburb of the same name. The cast of the film comprised entirely newcomers. [1] Regarding his work in the film one critic noted that "Full marks to Venkatesh for not only coming up with a different kind of film but successfully carrying off the experiment of roping in locals for a film which is about themselves" whilst another stated that "If the director Venkatesh Maha is the brain behind this idea, he deserves credit yes". [2] [3]
His next film was Uma Maheswara Ugra Roopasya (2020), the remake of the Malayalam film Maheshinte Prathikaaram . [4] The film featured Satyadev Kancharana in the lead role and was shot extensively in the Araku valley. [5] Regarding his casting in the film, a critic wrote that "And a big shout to Venkatesh Maha’s casting choices, which makes the movie more relatable". [6] In August 2021, Maha started Write Right Club for creative writers along with Puja Kolluru and other team members. [7]
| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
| Year | Title | Director | Writer | Producer | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | C/o Kancharapalem | Yes | Yes | No | [1] | |
| 2020 | Uma Maheswara Ugra Roopasya | Yes | Yes | No | [6] | |
| 2022 | Swarna | No | No | Yes | Short film | [8] |
| Modern Love Hyderabad | Yes | No | No | Amazon Prime Video series; episode 6 | [9] | |
| 2023 | Martin Luther King | No | Yes | Yes | also actor | |
| 2024 | Ambajipeta Marriage Band | No | No | Yes | Co-produced along with Dheeraj Mogilineni and Bunny Vas | |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Aakasame Haddu | Narayana's friend | [1] | |
| 2012 | Cameraman Gangatho Rambabu | News audience member | [10] | |
| 2014 | Manam | Unknown | [10] | |
| 2020 | Uma Maheswara Ugra Roopasya | Tea vendor | Cameo appearance | [11] |
| 2022 | Stand Up Rahul | Hriday | Extended cameo | [12] |
| 2022 | Ante Sundaraniki | Joseph | [13] | |
| 2023 | Anger Tales | Ranga | Disney+ Hotstar series | |
| Ustaad | Surya's father | Cameo | [14] | |
| Martin Luther King | ||||
| Date | Award | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Director – Telugu | C/o Kancharapalem | Nominated | [15] |
| 2021 | South Indian International Movie Awards | Best Director – Telugu | Uma Maheswara Ugra Roopasya | Nominated |
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