Daggubati Venkatesh (born 13 December 1960), also known as Victory Venkatesh, is an Indian actor and film producer known for his work predominantly in Telugu cinema and a few Hindi films.[2] Venkatesh has a prolific career spanning over 37 years and is known for portraying a variety of challenging characters. He has received many accolades including six Filmfare Awards and five Nandi Awards.[3]
Venkatesh | |
|---|---|
 Venkatesh at the opening ceremony of the 2013 Celebrity Cricket League season | |
| Born | Daggubati Venkatesh 13 December 1960[1] Madras (present-day Chennai), Tamil Nadu, India |
| Other names | Venky |
| Alma mater | Loyola College, Chennai Monterey Institute of International Studies (MBA) |
| Occupation(s) | Actor Film producer |
| Years active | 1986–present |
| Works | Full list |
| Spouse |
Neeraja (m. 1985) |
| Children | 4 |
| Father | D. Ramanaidu |
| Relatives | D. Suresh Babu (brother) Rana Daggubati (nephew) Naga Chaitanya (nephew) |
| Family | see Daggubati–Akkineni family |
Venkatesh made his debut in 1986 with the commercially successful Kaliyuga Pandavulu. He achieved stardom with box-office hits[4][5] such as Srinivasa Kalyanam (1987), Brahma Puthrudu (1988), Prema (1989), Dhruva Nakshatram (1989), Bobbili Raja (1990), and Kshana Kshanam (1991), the latter of which featured at the Fribourg Festival and went on to gather a cult following.[6][7][8]
Venkatesh received further acclaim for his notable performances as a painter in Swarnakamalam (1988), which featured in the Indian panorama section of the 12th IFFI,[9] an attorney in both Sathruvu (1991) and Dharma Chakram (1996), a coolie in Coolie No. 1 (1991), an eccentric cop in both Surya IPS (1991) and Gharshana (2004), an autistic villager in Chanti (1992),[5] in the romances Pavitra Bandham (1996), Preminchukundam Raa (1997), Premante Idera (1998), Raja (1999), Kalisundam Raa (2000), Nuvvu Naaku Nachav (2001), Vasantam (2003), Malliswari (2004) and Aadavari Matalaku Arthale Verule (2007), in the family dramas Suryavamsam (1998), Sankranti (2005) and Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu (2013), a journalist in Ganesh (1998), in the action dramas Jayam Manadera (2000), Lakshmi (2006), Tulasi (2007) and Venky Mama (2021), in the comedies Chintakayala Ravi (2008), Namo Venkatesa (2010), F2 (2019) and F3 (2022), in the crime thrillers Eenaadu (2009), Drushyam (2014) and Drushyam 2 (2021), an atheist in Gopala Gopala (2015), a boxing coach in Guru (2017), and a farmer in Narappa (2021).
Venkatesh also starred in Hindi language works such as Anari (1993), Taqdeerwala (1995), Rana Naidu (2023), and Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan (2023).[10] In addition to acting, he co-owns Suresh Productions,[11] one of the largest film production companies in India, under which he acted in several films.[12][13] He is also the mentor of the Telugu Warriors, representing Tollywood in the Celebrity Cricket League.[14]
Early life
editVenkatesh was born on 13 December 1960 in a Telugu family to film producer and former Member of Parliament, D. Ramanaidu and Rajeshwari in Madras (present-day Chennai), India. He has an elder brother Suresh Babu, who runs Suresh Productions, and a younger sister Lakshmi.[15]
Venkatesh did his schooling in Don Bosco, Egmore,[16] Chennai and graduated in commerce from Loyola College, Chennai.[17][18] He got his MBA from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, USA.[15] After his return to India, he wanted to get into film production but instead became an actor.[19]
Career
edit1986–1989: Debut and early career
editVenkatesh 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]
1996–2012: Critical and commercial success
editIn 1996, he portrayed an honest lawyer in Dharma Chakram, which won him both the Nandi Award and Filmfare Award South.[3][20] Later that year, he played a husband struggling between two wives in the E. V. V. Satyanarayana directed hit comedy drama Intlo Illalu Vantintlo Priyuralu.[21] In Ganesh (1998), he played a person fighting the ills of the Indian public healthcare system. The following year, he 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.[22] His 1999 drama film Raja, where he plays a small time thief who is reformed by his love was also well received by the audience.[21] Following this, he established himself as one of top actors in Telugu cinema.[23]
In 2001, Venkatesh starred in the romantic comedy Nuvvu Naaku Nachav which was a critical and commercial success.[24] The success continued with Malliswari (2004), his second collaboration with director K. Vijaya Bhaskar after Nuvvu Naaku Nachav.[21] In 2007, he starred in two films, Aadavari Matalaku Arthale Verule and Tulasi, both of which grossed over ₹30 crore at the box office.[5] In the following years, Venkatesh appeared in several films, including Chintakayala Ravi (2008), Namo Venkatesa (2010) and Bodyguard (2012).[25][26][27]
2013–present: Multi-starrers and experimental roles
edit
In 2013, Venkatesh co-starred alongside Mahesh Babu in the critically acclaimed drama Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu.[28][29] The film was one of the first Telugu major multi-starrer films after many years. Subsequently, Venkatesh went on to feature in other multi-starrers such as Masala (2013), Gopala Gopala (2015) and F2: Fun and Frustration (2019).[30] F2 grossed over ₹127 crore and ended up as one of the highest-grossing Telugu films of 2019.[31][32]
Venkatesh's performance in Drushyam (2014) received several accolades from the critics.[33] He portrayed a strict boxing coach in the Sudha Kongara's sports drama Guru in 2017.[34]
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.[35] In the same year, he dubbed in Telugu for the Genie in Alladin. His 2021 film Narappa was released on Amazon Prime, which marked his first direct-to-OTT released.[36] In 2022, the sequel to F2, F3: Fun and Frustration released to a fairly positive reception from critics and audiences. Venkatesh is set to make his first-ever pan-Indian film debut with Saindhav, directed by Sailesh Kolanu.[37]
Endorsements
edit- On 24 April 2010, he signed with Manappuram General Finance and Leasing Ltd as their brand ambassador for Andhra Pradesh.[38]
- He opened Ramraj Cotton Company branch in Ameerpet as a brand ambassador for the company.[39]
Personal life
editVenkatesh married Neeraja in 1985 and the couple has four children—three daughters and one son.[40][41] His eldest daughter, Aashritha, married Vinayak Reddy, the grandson of R. Surender Reddy, the chairman of Hyderabad Race Club.[42] He is also the uncle of actors Rana Daggubati and Naga Chaitanya.[43]
Awards and nominations
editReferences
edit- ^ "On Victory Venkatesh's birthday eve, his next project with Trivrikram Srinivas announced". Hindustan Times. 12 December 2017.
- ^ a b "వెంకటేశ్ 'విక్టరీ'కి 34 ఏళ్లు". Sakshi (in Telugu). 14 August 2020. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
- ^ a b "Victory Venkatesh completes 34 years in Tollywood – Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
- ^ Movies, iQlik. "Bobbili Raja Telugu Movie Review Venkatesh Divya Bharathi Vani". iQlikmovies. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
- ^ a b c "చంటి to వెంకీమామ.. వెంకటేష్ బెస్ట్ బాక్స్ ఆఫీస్ కలెక్షన్స్". Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd (in Telugu). Retrieved 23 August 2020.
- ^ Rajadhyaksha, Ashish; Willemen, Paul (10 July 2014). Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-135-94325-7 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Cannes critic on RGV's filmography at Fribourg". Indiatoday.in. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
- ^ "From 'HIT' to 'Kshana Kshanam', 11 Telugu thrillers you can watch online". The News Minute. 30 June 2020.
- ^ "Indian Panorama for 12th IFFI Festival" (PDF).
- ^ "Happy birthday Venkatesh; this legendary actor made his Hindi film debut with 'Anari' – OrissaPOST". Orissa Post. 13 December 2019. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
- ^ "SURESH PRODUCTIONS PVT.LTD. - Company, directors and contact details | Zauba Corp". www.zaubacorp.com. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
- ^ "D Rama Naidu enters Guinness book". Hindustan Times. 4 January 2008. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
- ^ "Telugu production house Suresh Productions completes 50 years". Rediff. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
- ^ "CCL | Celebrity Cricket League | CCL Official Website | CCL6". Archived from the original on 22 December 2015.
- ^ a b "Happy Birthday Venkatesh Daggubati: Take a look at life and times of the ace actor – Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
- ^ "Don Bosco alumni regale students with school tales". The Times of India. 10 January 2010. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
- ^ "Birthday Exclusive: Daggubati Venkatesh". Deccan Chronicle. 13 December 2013. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
- ^ "Happy Birthday Victory Venkatesh: Unseen Snaps of the Versatile Star". The Times of India. 13 December 2018. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
- ^ Looking for a new zone. The Hindu (28 April 2013). Retrieved on 2016-01-31.
- ^ a b c "Venkatesh Daggubati Awards: List of awards and nominations received by Venkatesh Daggubati | Times of India Entertainment". The Times of India. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
- ^ a b c "Happy Birthday Venkatesh: These 6 Feel-Good Movies of the Victory Hero will leave a big smile on your face – Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
- ^ "23 ఏళ్లు కంప్లీట్ చేసుకున్న వెంకటేష్ 'ప్రేమించుకుందాం.. రా'." News18 Telugu. 8 May 2020. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
- ^ Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi (14 February 2017). "Time to reinvent". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
- ^ "A timeless classic comedy Nuvvu Naku Nachav clocks 18 years – Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
- ^ "Review: Chintakayala Ravi entertains". www.rediff.com. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
- ^ "Om Namo Venkatesaya Review {2.5/5}: This movie is strictly for those who love the genre, the filmmaker and the combo", The Times of India, retrieved 23 August 2020
- ^ Indo-Asian News Service (16 January 2012). "Bodyguard Review". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 19 January 2012.
- ^ Shekhar (12 January 2013). "Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu (SVSC) bags rave reviews". Oneindia Entertainment. Archived from the original on 26 July 2015. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
- ^ Kavirayani, Suresh (29 December 2013). "2013: The biggest hits & misses". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 19 August 2015. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
- ^ Uddagiri, AuthorNikisha. "It's raining multi-starrers in Telugu industry". Telangana Today. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
- ^ Hooli, Shekhar H. (22 December 2019). "Tollywood Box office report – 2019: Highest grossing Telugu movies of the year". International Business Times, India Edition. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
- ^ "F3 Movie (2022): Release Date, Cast, Review, Trailer, Story, Budget, Box Office Collection".
- ^ Seshagiri, Sangeetha (10 July 2014). "'Drushyam' Movie Review Roundup: Worth Watching". International Business Times, India Edition. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
- ^ Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi (31 March 2017). "Guru: An absorbing sports drama". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
- ^ "'Venky Mama' Box-Office: Venkatesh and Naga Chaitanya starrer turns into a profitable venture – Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
- ^ "Venkatesh on his Amazon Prime movie Narappa: 'It is the most challenging film of my career so far'". Hindustan Times. 20 July 2021. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
- ^ Sistu, Suhas (16 October 2023). "'Saindhav' teaser: Action-packed". www.thehansindia.com. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
- ^ "Super Star Victory Venkatesh to Endorse Manappuram Brand – Telugu cinema news". Idlebrain.com. 25 April 2010. Retrieved 3 November 2012.
- ^ "Actor Venkatesh opens Ramraj Cotton showroom". The Hindu. thehindu.com. 25 March 2016. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
- ^ "Venkatesh and Neeraja – Tollywood celebs and their less famous spouses". The Times of India. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
- ^ "Venkatesh Daggubati's elder daughter Aashritha gets engaged, wedding date revealed – details inside". www.timesnownews.com. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
- ^ "Aashritha Daggubati and Vinayak Reddy tie the knot in a grand wedding in Jaipur – Times of India". The Times of India. 25 March 2019.
- ^ Sharma, Bhavana (14 March 2020). "Did you know who Naga Chaitanya's step-father and half-brother are?". IB Times. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f "Awards won by Venkatesh Daggubati – Telugu cinema news – idlebrain.com". www.idlebrain.com. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
- ^ Image
- ^ HYBIZTV HD (3 June 2015). "Victory Venkatesh – Britannia Filmfare Awards 2014 – Hybiz.tv". Archived from the original on 7 November 2021 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Filmfare – South Special". 18 October 1999. Archived from the original on 18 October 1999.
- ^ Image archive.org
- ^ Image archive.org
- ^ "TSR-TV9 award winners announced". Deccan Chronicle. 16 July 2015. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
External links
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