GarnetWelton89: creating the info v1

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{{Short description|Indian film director and screenwriter (born 1989)}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Prasanth Varma
| image =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1989|5|29|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Palakollu, Andhra Pradesh]], India
| occupation = {{hlist|Film director|screenwriter}}
| years_active = 2011–present
| relatives =
| spouse = Sukanya Raju
}}

'''Prasanth Varma Penmetsa''' is an Indian film director and screenwriter who works in [[Telugu cinema]]. He is best known for directing [[Awe (film)|''Awe'']] (2018), [[Kalki (2019 Telugu film)|''Kalki'']] (2019), ''[[Zombie Reddy]]'' (2021) and ''[[Hanu-Man]]'' (2024). The lattermost is his highest-grosser and has won the [[National Film Award for Best Film in AVGC]]. He is also the co-founder of Scriptsville, an organization dedicated to supporting screenwriting in Telugu cinema.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Dundoo |first=Sangeetha Devi |date=2018-10-03 |title=Scriptsville hopes to streamline the writing process and generate quality content for web series and Telugu cinema |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/scriptsville-hopes-to-streamline-the-writing-process-and-generate-quality-content-for-web-series-and-telugu-cinema/article25112003.ece |access-date=2024-08-20 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
== Early life ==
Prasanth Varma was born on 29 May 1989 in [[Palakollu]], [[Andhra Pradesh]] in a [[Telugu language|Telugu]] family, to Narayana Raju, a civil contractor, and Kanaka Durga, a government school teacher. He has a younger sister, Sneha Sameera.<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 May 2021 |title=On his birthday, filmmaker Prasanth Varma announces Hanu Man, first Telugu superhero movie |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/on-his-birthday-filmmaker-prasanth-varma-announces-hanu-man-first-telugu-superhero-movie-9666471.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006054909/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/on-his-birthday-filmmaker-prasanth-varma-announces-hanu-man-first-telugu-superhero-movie-9666471.html |archive-date=6 October 2021 |access-date=22 June 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=No6i9uaasgI |title=Hanuman Director About His Family |date=13 January 2024 |type=motion picture |language=te |publisher=iDream Filmnagar |place=India |access-date=26 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126061822/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=No6i9uaasgI |archive-date=26 January 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> He attended Sri Saraswathi Sisu Mandir in Palakollu, where his education included an extra subject focusing on stories from the [[Itihasa-Purana|Itihasas]], such as the ''[[Ramayana]]'', ''[[Mahabharata]]'', and [[Bhagavata Purana|''Bhagavatham'']].<ref name=":0">{{cite news |date=11 May 2023 |editor-last=Dundoo |editor-first=Sangeetha Devi |title=Prasanth Varma: I sought Rajamouli's advice for 'Hanu-Man' |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/director-prasanth-varma-i-sought-rajamoulis-advice-for-hanu-man/article66772806.ece |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240114101731/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/director-prasanth-varma-i-sought-rajamoulis-advice-for-hanu-man/article66772806.ece |archive-date=14 January 2024 |access-date=15 January 2024 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>

After completing his schooling, he graduated from [[CVR College of Engineering]] in 2010.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://youtube.com/watch?v=VdyRCb5Jvp8 |title=Director Prashanth Varma Wife Sukanyaraju Visuals |date=27 January 2024 |type=motion picture |language=te |publisher=TV5 Tollywood |place=India |time=00:02:10 |access-date=28 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128133412/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdyRCb5Jvp8 |archive-date=28 January 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> Varma's passion for mythological stories is shared by his younger sister, Sneha Sameera, who is also part of his Scriptsville team.<ref name=":0" /> He married Sukanya Raju in 2020.

== Career ==

=== 2011–2017: Early career ===
Prasanth Varma began his career in 2011 by directing a short film ''Deenamma Jeevitham.''<ref>{{Cite news|last=Dundoo|first=Sangeetha Devi|date=6 February 2018|title='Awe' is an experiment that got bigger and bigger|language=en-IN|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|url-access=subscription|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/meet-prashant-varma-the-director-of-the-soon-to-release-awe/article22667677.ece|access-date=22 June 2021|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=29 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210529160110/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/meet-prashant-varma-the-director-of-the-soon-to-release-awe/article22667677.ecee/article22667677.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> He then directed [[Television advertisement|ad films]] and a few [[Short film|short films]], including ''A Silent Melody'' (2014) and ''Dialogue in the Dark'' (2017). In 2015, he directed a five-episode web series, ''Not Out'', starring [[Brian Lara]], which premiered on [[YuppTV]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=5 November 2015|title=YuppTV Launches Its First Original Content with a Web Series Starring Cricket Legend - Brian Lara is NOT OUT!|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20151105005603/en/YuppTV-Launches-Its-First-Original-Content-with-a-Web-Series-Starring-Cricket-Legend---Brian-Lara-is-NOT-OUT%21|access-date=22 June 2021|website=businesswire.com|language=en|archive-date=24 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624204106/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20151105005603/en/YuppTV-Launches-Its-First-Original-Content-with-a-Web-Series-Starring-Cricket-Legend---Brian-Lara-is-NOT-OUT!|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=5 November 2015|title=Yupp TV launches first web series with Brian Lara|url=https://www.indiantelevision.com/iworld/ott-services/yupp-tv-launches-first-web-series-with-brian-lara-151105|access-date=22 June 2021|website=Indian Television Dot Com|language=en|archive-date=24 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624204134/https://www.indiantelevision.com/iworld/ott-services/yupp-tv-launches-first-web-series-with-brian-lara-151105|url-status=live}}</ref> In an interview with ''[[Idlebrain.com]]'', Prasanth Varma named [[Singeetam Srinivasa Rao]] as his biggest inspiration, admiring how he never repeated himself in his work. He is also influenced by [[Christopher Nolan]], [[K. Viswanath]], and [[Mani Ratnam]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 February 2018 |title=Interview with Prasanth Varma about Awe |url=http://www.idlebrain.com/celeb/interview/prasanthvarma-awe.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722033733/http://idlebrain.com/celeb/interview/prasanthvarma-awe.html |archive-date=22 July 2021 |access-date= |website=[[Idlebrain.com]]}}</ref>

=== 2018–present: Directorial debut and critical acclaim ===
In 2017, Prashanth Varma presented the storyline of [[Awe (film)|''Awe'']] to actor [[Nani (actor)|Nani]], securing its production through Wall Poster Cinema alongside [[Prashanti Tipirneni]]. Released in 2018, the film marked his directorial debut and garnered acclaim for its subversive depiction of psychological and social issues, including [[child abuse]], [[sexual abuse]], and [[drug abuse]]. Critics, including [[Baradwaj Rangan]], praised his narrative and direction, with special emphasis on the portrayal of lesbian characters in the movie.<ref>{{Cite web|date=1 March 2018|title=Awe Movie Review by Baradwaj Rangan - Filmcompanion|url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/reviews/telugu-review/awe-movie-review-baradwaj-rangan/|access-date=22 June 2021|website=Film Companion|language=en-US|archive-date=24 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624204509/https://www.filmcompanion.in/reviews/telugu-review/awe-movie-review-baradwaj-rangan/|url-status=live}}</ref> The film's success also highlighted Varma's ability to effectively integrate visual effects into storytelling, a skill he honed through hands-on experience in his early career.<ref name=":0" />

Following ''Awe'', Varma continued to explore diverse genres. His next release, [[Kalki (2019 Telugu film)|''Kalki'']] (2019), starring [[Rajasekhar (actor)|Rajasekhar]] and produced by C. Kalyan, was originally conceived as a [[web series]]. However, Varma adapted the screenplay into a feature film format, a process that took eight months.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Interview with Prasanth Varma about Kalki by Maya Nelluri - Telugu cinema director|url=http://www.idlebrain.com/celeb/interview/prasanthvarma-kalki.html|access-date=22 June 2021|website=idlebrain.com|archive-date=6 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220406215748/http://idlebrain.com/celeb/interview/prasanthvarma-kalki.html|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Kalki'' received mixed reviews from critics.

Prasanth Varma's third release was ''[[Zombie Reddy]]'' (2021),<ref>{{Citation|title=Zombie Reddy Movie Review: A desi zombie film complete with factionism and lots of drama|newspaper=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movie-reviews/zombie-reddy/movie-review/80704272.cms|access-date=22 June 2021|archive-date=29 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929030224/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movie-reviews/zombie-reddy/movie-review/80704272.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> originally scheduled for 2020 but delayed due to the [[COVID-19 lockdown in India]]. Marketed as the first [[zombie film]] in [[Telugu cinema|Telugu]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 December 2020 |title=Teaser of Prasanth Varma's Zombie Reddy: The First Bite Is Pretty Cool, And Has Corona References Too |url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/features/telugu-features/telugu-movies-teaser-of-prasanth-varma-zombie-reddy-the-first-bite-is-pretty-cool-corona/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205070822/https://www.filmcompanion.in/features/telugu-features/telugu-movies-teaser-of-prasanth-varma-zombie-reddy-the-first-bite-is-pretty-cool-corona/ |archive-date=5 December 2020 |access-date=6 December 2020 |website=Film Companion}}</ref> it received positive reviews and performed well at the box office. Sangeetha Devi Dundoo of ''[[The Hindu]]'' wrote that "In one stroke, director Prasanth Varma juxtaposes different worlds—a pandemic looming large, zombies, Rayalaseema faction rivalry—to hilarious effect"<ref>{{Cite news|last=Dundoo|first=Sangeetha Devi|date=5 February 2021|title='Zombie Reddy' movie review: When the zombies attack Seema|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|url-access=subscription|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/reviews/zombie-reddy-review-when-zombies-attack-seema/article33759119.ece|access-date=8 February 2021|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=7 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210207161609/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/reviews/zombie-reddy-review-when-zombies-attack-seema/article33759119.ece|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 29 May 2021, he announced his next film ''[[Hanu-Man]].''<ref>{{Cite web|date=29 May 2021|title=Hanu-Man: Awe director Prasanth Varma announces Telugu cinema's first superhero film|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/telugu-cinema/hanuman-awe-director-prasanth-varma-announces-telugu-cinema-s-first-superhero-film-101622273853216.html|access-date=22 June 2021|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|archive-date=6 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006054907/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/telugu-cinema/hanuman-awe-director-prasanth-varma-announces-telugu-cinema-s-first-superhero-film-101622273853216.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The film is marketed as the first [[Telugu cinema|Telugu]] [[Superhero film]].<ref name="hanu">{{Cite web|date=29 May 2021|title=Director Prasanth Varma announces next Telugu film, 'Hanu-Man'|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/director-prasanth-varma-announces-next-telugu-film-hanu-man-149749|access-date=22 June 2021|website=The News Minute|language=en|archive-date=24 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624205610/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/director-prasanth-varma-announces-next-telugu-film-hanu-man-149749|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|author=Janani K.|date=29 May 2021|title=Director Prasanth Varma announces Telugu's first superhero film Hanu-Man. Watch|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/director-prasanth-varma-announces-telugu-s-first-superhero-film-hanu-man-watch-1808322-2021-05-29|access-date=22 June 2021|magazine=India Today|language=en|archive-date=6 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006160729/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/director-prasanth-varma-announces-telugu-s-first-superhero-film-hanu-man-watch-1808322-2021-05-29|url-status=live}}</ref> Starring [[Teja Sajja]] as Hanumanthu and [[Amritha Aiyer]] as Meenakshi, the film was released on 12 January 2024, coinciding with [[Makar Sankranti|Sankranti]]. It served as the first installment of the Prasanth Varma Cinematic Universe (PVCU), inspired by [[Hindu mythology|Indian mythology]]. The film received highly positive reviews for its direction, screenwriting, performances, visualization, background score, VFX, production design and action sequences. With a global box office gross of over ₹350 crore, it became the [[List of highest-grossing Telugu films|tenth highest-grossing Telugu film]] of all time.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://telugu.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/hanuman-director-prasanth-varma-next-movie-is-adhira-121705060736108.html|title=Prasanth Varma Next Movie: ప్రశాంత్ వర్మ తర్వాతి చిత్రం ఏదో తెలుసా! 'జై హనుమాన్' కంటే ముందే మరో సూపర్ హీరో మూవీ|website=Hindustan Times Telugu|language=te|quote=ఈ మూవీని ప్రశాంత్ వర్మ తెరకెక్కించిన విధానం, నరేషన్, పీఎఫ్‍ఎక్స్, ఎలివేషన్లు, హనుమంతుడిని చూపించిన విధానం, నటీనటుల పర్ఫార్మెన్స్, బ్యాక్‍గ్రౌండ్ మ్యూజిక్ ఇలా అన్ని విషయాల్లో హనుమాన్‍కు మంచి టాక్ వస్తోంది.|access-date=28 January 2024|archive-date=23 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240123181741/https://telugu.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/hanuman-director-prasanth-varma-next-movie-is-adhira-121705060736108.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=27 January 2024|title=HanuMan director Prasanth Varma says he 'wasted a lot of time' waiting for stars like Ram Charan, Allu Arjun and Jr NTR: 'Even if Tom Cruise comes to me…'|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/hanuman-director-prasanth-varma-says-he-wasted-a-lot-of-time-waiting-for-stars-like-ram-charan-allu-arjun-and-jr-ntr-even-if-tom-cruise-comes-to-me-9130130/|access-date=27 January 2024|website=[[The Indian Express]]|language=en|archive-date=27 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240127082117/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/hanuman-director-prasanth-varma-says-he-wasted-a-lot-of-time-waiting-for-stars-like-ram-charan-allu-arjun-and-jr-ntr-even-if-tom-cruise-comes-to-me-9130130/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Scriptsville ===
In 2018, Prasanth Varma founded Scriptsville with his sister Sneha Sameera to enhance screenwriting in [[Telugu cinema]]. Scriptsville aims to help new and unrecognized writers gain recognition and proper credit.<ref name=":1" />

The idea for Scriptsville came from Prasanth's understanding of the industry's need for professional script development and writer recognition. After the success of his debut film ''Awe'', Prasanth and Sameera launched Scriptsville to offer a platform for both emerging and established writers. They invited writers to submit their ideas and received over a thousand submissions, from which a few promising stories were chosen for development. Initially, Scriptsville began with ten writers—five full-time and five working remotely or part-time.<ref name=":1" />

Scriptsville has played a role in developing several scripts, including those for Prasanth's film ''Kalki''. The organization assists with dialogues, screenplay structure, and solving script issues. They also plan to sell scripts to directors and producers to promote quality writing.<ref name=":1" />

As of May 2023, Scriptsville continues to work on new films and web series, advancing its goal to improve screenwriting in Telugu cinema.<ref name=":0" />

== Filmography ==
{{Pending films key}}

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of feature film credits
|-
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Title
! scope="col" | Director
! scope="col" | Screenplay
! scope="col" | Story
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{refh}}
|-
|2018
|''[[Awe (film)|Awe]]''
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|Feature film debut
|
|-
|2019
|''[[Kalki (2019 Telugu film)|Kalki]]''
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|{{no}}
|
|
|-
| rowspan="2" |2021
|''[[Zombie Reddy]]''
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|
|
|-
|''[[Adbhutham]]''
|{{no}}
|{{no}}
|{{yes}}
|
|<ref>{{Cite web|last=Desk|first=klapboard|date=18 July 2020|title=Adbutham is a 'scriptsville' story: Mallik Ram {{!}} klapboardpost|url=https://www.klapboardpost.com/adbutham-is-a-scriptsville-story-mallik-ram/|access-date=1 July 2021|language=en-US|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709182450/https://www.klapboardpost.com/adbutham-is-a-scriptsville-story-mallik-ram/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2" |2024
|''[[Hanu-Man]]''
|{{yes}}
|{{no}}
|{{yes}}
|
|
|-
|''[[Devaki Nandana Vasudeva]]''
|{{no}}
|{{no}}
|{{yes}}
|
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Features |first=C. E. |date=2024-10-06 |title=Ashok Galla's Devaki Nandana Vasudeva locks its release date |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/telugu/news/2024/Oct/06/ashok-gallas-devaki-nandana-vasudeva-locks-its-release-date |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=Cinema Express |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|TBA
|''Mahākali''
|{{No}}
|{{No}}
|{{Yes}}
|Writer, Part of Prashanth Varma Cinematic Universe
|
|-
|TBA
|''Jai Hanuman''
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
|Sequel for "Hanu-Man"
|
|-
|TBA
|''Adhira''
|{{No}}
|{{No}}
|{{Yes}}
|Writer, Part of Prashanth Varma Cinematic Universe
|
|}

'''Other works'''
{| class="wikitable"
|+ List of other film credits
|-
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Title
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
|2011
|''Deenamma Jeevitham''
|Directorial debut
|-
|2014
|''A Silent Melody''
|
|-
|2017
|''Dialogue in the Dark''
|
|}

=== Television ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Year
!Title
!Role
!Network
!{{refh}}
|-
|2015
|''Not Out''
|Director / Creator
|[[YuppTV]]
|<ref>{{Cite news |date=4 November 2015 |title=YuppTV to launch its first web series on Brian Lara |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/yupptv-to-launch-its-first-web-series-on-brian-lara-115110401331_1.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625024054/https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/yupptv-to-launch-its-first-web-series-on-brian-lara-115110401331_1.html |archive-date=25 June 2021 |access-date=22 June 2021 |work=Business Standard India |agency=Press Trust of India}}</ref>
|-
|2024
|''[[The Mystery of Moksha Island]]''
|Writer
|[[Disney+ Hotstar]]
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Mystery of Moksha Island Review: A moderately suspenseful survival thriller |url=https://www.ottplay.com/review/the-mystery-of-moksha-island-review-a-moderately-suspenseful-survival-thriller/fa0527a926665 |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=OTTPlay |language=en}}</ref>
|}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb name|id=nm9514022|name=Prasanth Varma}}

{{Prasanth Varma}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1989 births]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian people]]
[[Category:Film directors from Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Indian advertising directors]]
[[Category:Indian film directors]]
[[Category:Indian screenwriters]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Palakollu]]
[[Category:Film people from West Godavari district]]
[[Category:Screenwriters from Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Telugu film directors]]
[[Category:Telugu screenwriters]]
[[Category:Gaddar Telangana Film Awards winners]]
[[Category:National Film Award (India) winners]]
[[Category:South Indian International Movie Awards winners]]

Prasanth Varma - Revision history

GarnetWelton89: creating the info v1