Venkatesh (actor): Difference between revisions

'''Daggubati Venkatesh''' (born 13 December 1960) is an Indian actor known for his works predominantly in [[Telugu cinema]], and few [[Hindi]] language films.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|date=14 August 2020|title=వెంక‌టేశ్ 'విక్ట‌రీ'కి 34 ఏళ్లు|url=https://www.sakshi.com/telugu-news/movies/victory-venkatesh-turns-34-years-tollywood-film-industry-1308480|access-date=23 August 2020|website=Sakshi|language=te}}</ref> Early in his career, Venkatesh starred in box-office hits<ref>{{Cite web|last=Movies|first=iQlik|title=Bobbili Raja Telugu Movie Review Venkatesh Divya Bharathi Vani|url=https://www.iqlikmovies.com/movies/legendmovie/2014/04/08/Bobbili-Raja/665|access-date=20 June 2020|website=iQlikmovies|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=చంటి to వెంకీమామ.. వెంకటేష్ బెస్ట్ బాక్స్ ఆఫీస్ కలెక్షన్స్|url=https://telugu.asianetnews.com/gallery/entertainment-news/venkatesh-daggubati-best-box-office-hits-q615p7|access-date=23 August 2020|website=Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd|language=te}}</ref> such as the romance film ''[[Prema (1989 film)|Prema]]'' (1989), the action drama ''[[Bobbili Raja]]'' (1990), and the road movie ''[[Kshana Kshanam]]'' (1991) featured at the [[Fribourg International Film Festival|Fribourg Festival]], which went on to gather a [[cult following]].<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rF8ABAAAQBAJ&q=kshana+kshanam+encyclopedia+of+indian+cinema&pg=PA1994-IA196 |title=Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema |last1=Rajadhyaksha |first1=Ashish |last2=Willemen |first2=Paul |date=10 July 2014 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-135-94325-7 |via=Google Books}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/up-front/story/20120528-edouard-waintrop-on-the-new-indian-cinema-758464-2012-05-18 |title=Cannes critic on RGV's filmography at Fribourg|publisher=Indiatoday.in |date= |accessdate=2023-01-21}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=30 June 2020|title=From 'HIT' to 'Kshana Kshanam', 11 Telugu thrillers you can watch online|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/hit-kshana-kshanam-11-telugu-thrillers-you-can-watch-online-127666|website=The News Minute}}</ref>  

In a career spanning 30 years, Venkatesh fetched critical acclaim for his performances as a painter in ''[[Swarnakamalam]]'' (1988) featured in the Indian panorama section of the [[12th International Film Festival of India|12th IFFI]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dff.gov.in/images/Documents/136_IPCatalogue1988.pdf|title=Indian Panorama for 12th IFFI Festival|publisher=}}</ref> the [[Asia Pacific Film Festival]] and the [[Ann Arbor Film Festival]];<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/lifestyle/viral-and-trending/020517/dance-without-frontiers-k-viswanath-director-who-aims-to-revive-classical-arts.html|title=Dance without frontiers: K Viswanath – Director who aims to revive classical arts|date=2 May 2017|publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=30 Jun 2011 - Ranjana Dave |url=http://archive.asianage.com/dance/meaning-movement-323|title=The meaning in movement |publisher=The Asian Age |date=2011-06-30 |accessdate=2012-09-04}}</ref><ref name="auto1">{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/sharon-lowen-an-envoy-of-indian-culture/article8649957.ece|title=Sharon Lowen, an envoy of Indian culture|first=Ranee|last=Kumar|website=[[The Hindu]]|date=26 May 2016 |publisher=}}</ref> a coolie in ''[[Coolie No. 1 (1991 film)|Coolie No. 1]]'' (1991), an eccentric cop in ''[[Surya IPS]]'' (1991) and ''[[Gharshana]]'' (2004), an autistic villager in the melodrama ''[[Chanti (1992 film)|Chanti]]'' (1992),<ref name=":3" /> a journalist in the social problem film ''[[Ganesh (1998 film)|Ganesh]]'' (1998), an attorney in ''[[Sathruvu]]'' (1991) and ''[[Dharma Chakram]]'' (1996), a farmer in ''[[Narappa]]'' (2021), the romantic dramas ''[[Preminchukundam Raa]]'' (1997), ''[[Premante Idera]]'' (1998), ''[[Raja (1999 Indian film)|Raja]]'' (1999), ''[[Kalisundam Raa]]'' (2000), ''[[Nuvvu Naaku Nachav]]'' (2001), ''[[Vasantam]]'' (2003), ''[[Malliswari (2004 film)|Malliswari]]'' (2004), and ''[[Aadavari Matalaku Arthale Verule]]'' (2007), the crime thrillers ''[[Drushyam]]'' (2014); and ''[[Drushyam 2]]'' (2021).  He is starred in Hindi language works such as ''[[Anari (1993 film)|Anari]]'' (2003), ''[[Taqdeerwala]]'' (1995), and ''[[Rana Naidu]]'' (2023).<ref>{{Cite web|date=13 December 2019|title=Happy birthday Venkatesh; this legendary actor made his Hindi film debut with 'Anari' – OrissaPOST|url=https://www.orissapost.com/happy-birthday-venkatesh-this-legendary-actor-made-his-hindi-film-debut-with-anari/|access-date=23 August 2020|website=Orissa Post}}</ref>  

Venkatesh received five state [[Nandi Award for Best Actor|Nandi Awards for Best Actor]],<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|title=Victory Venkatesh completes 34 years in Tollywood – Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/victory-venkatesh-completes-34-years-in-tollywood/articleshow/77529502.cms|access-date=23 August 2020|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> and six [[Filmfare Awards South]] in various categories. Venkatesh co-owns [[Suresh Productions]];<ref>{{Cite web|title=SURESH PRODUCTIONS PVT.LTD. - Company, directors and contact details {{!}} Zauba Corp|url=https://www.zaubacorp.com/company/SURESH-PRODUCTIONS-PVT-LTD-/U92111TG1983PTC004292|access-date=20 June 2020|website=www.zaubacorp.com}}</ref> one of the largest film production companies in [[India]], under which he acted in several films.<ref>{{Cite web|date=4 January 2008|title=D Rama Naidu enters Guinness book|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/d-rama-naidu-enters-guinness-book/story-yY5OHzItOT7QMo79rXuyZL.html|access-date=20 June 2020|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Telugu production house Suresh Productions completes 50 years|url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/telugu-production-house-suresh-productions-completes-50-years-south/20140609.htm|access-date=20 June 2020|website=Rediff|language=en}}</ref> He is also the mentor of the ''Telugu Warriors'', representing Tollywood in the [[Celebrity Cricket League]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ccl.in/team/telugu-warriors#:~:text=The%20Telugu%20Warriors%20is%20a,an%20exciting%20match%20of%20cricket.. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222194047/http://www.ccl.in/team/telugu-warriors |archive-date=22 December 2015 |title=CCL {{!}} Celebrity Cricket League {{!}} CCL Official Website {{!}} CCL6}}</ref>

Venkatesh was born on 13 December 1960 in a [[Telugu people|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 [[D. Suresh Babu|Suresh Babu]], who runs [[Suresh Productions]], and a younger sister Lakshmi.<ref name="toi">{{Cite web|title=Happy Birthday Venkatesh Daggubati: Take a look at life and times of the ace actor – Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/happy-birthday-venkatesh-daggubati-take-a-look-at-life-and-times-of-the-ace-actor/articleshow/72489522.cms|access-date=14 March 2021|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref>

Venkatesh did his schooling in [[Don Bosco Matriculation Higher Secondary School|Don Bosco, Egmore]],<ref>{{cite web | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/don-bosco-alumni-regale-students-with-school-tales/articleshow/5428971.cms | title=Don Bosco alumni regale students with school tales | work=[[The Times of India]] | date=10 January 2010 | accessdate=14 March 2021}}</ref> [[Chennai]] and graduated in commerce from [[Loyola College, Chennai]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/131213/entertainment-tollywood/gallery/birthday-exclusive-daggubati-venkatesh | title=Birthday Exclusive: Daggubati Venkatesh | publisher=Deccan Chronicle | date=13 December 2013 | accessdate=14 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/happy-birthday-victory-venkatesh-unseen-snaps-of-the-versatile-star/photostory/67062201.cms?picid=67062257 | title=Happy Birthday Victory Venkatesh: Unseen Snaps of the Versatile Star | work=[[The Times of India]] | date=13 December 2018 | accessdate=14 March 2021}}</ref> He got his [[MBA]] from the [[Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey]], US.<ref name="toi" /> After his return to India, he wanted to get into film production but instead, became an Indian actor in Telugu cinema.<ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/today's-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/looking-for-a-new-zone/article4661814.ece Looking for a new zone]. The Hindu (28 April 2013). Retrieved on 2016-01-31.</ref>

In 1996, he portrayed an honest lawyer in ''[[Dharma Chakram]]'', which won him both [[Nandi Award]] and [[Filmfare Award South]].<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Venkatesh Daggubati Awards: List of awards and nominations received by Venkatesh Daggubati {{!}} Times of India Entertainment|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Venkatesh-Daggubati/awards|access-date=20 June 2020|website=timesofindia.indiatimes.com}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|title=Happy Birthday Venkatesh: These 6 Feel-Good Movies of the Victory Hero will leave a big smile on your face – Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/happy-birthday-venkatesh-these-6-feel-good-movies-of-the-victory-hero-will-leave-a-big-smile-on-your-face/articleshow/72493231.cms|access-date=23 August 2020|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> In [[Ganesh (1998 film)|''Ganesh'']] (1998), he played a person fighting against the ills in the Indian public healthcare system. The following year, Venkatesh starred in the [[Romance film|romantic action]] film ''[[Preminchukundam Raa]]''. The film, which was one of the first portrayals of [[Political faction|factionalism]] in [[Rayalaseema]] region, was a big commercial success.<ref>{{Cite web|date=8 May 2020|title=23 ఏళ్లు కంప్లీట్ చేసుకున్న వెంకటేష్ 'ప్రేమించుకుందాం.. రా'..|url=https://telugu.news18.com/news/movies/venkatesh-super-hit-preminchukundam-raa-movie-completed-23-years-ta-512288.html|access-date=23 August 2020|website=News18 Telugu}}</ref> His 1999 [[drama film]] [[Raja (1999 Indian film)|''Raja'']], where he plays a small time thief who is reformed by his love is also well received by the audience.<ref name=":5" /> Following this, he established himself as one of top actors in Telugu cinema.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Dundoo|first=Sangeetha Devi|date=14 February 2017|title=Time to reinvent|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/Time-to-reinvent/article17301535.ece|access-date=23 August 2020|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

In 2001, Venkatesh starred in the [[romantic comedy]] film ''[[Nuvvu Naaku Nachav]]'' which was a critical and commercial success.<ref>{{Cite web|title=A timeless classic comedy Nuvvu Naku Nachav clocks 18 years – Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/a-timeless-classic-comedy-nuvvu-naku-nachav-clocks-18-years/articleshow/71011593.cms|access-date=23 August 2020|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> The success continued with [[Malliswari (2004 film)|''Malliswari'']] (2004), in his second collaboration with director [[K. Vijaya Bhaskar]] after ''Nuvvu Naaku Nachav''.<ref name=":5" /> In 2007, he starred in two films, ''[[Aadavari Matalaku Arthale Verule]]'' and [[Tulasi (film)|''Tulasi'']], both of which grossed over {{Indian Rupee|30 [[crore]]}} at the [[box office]].<ref name=":3" /> In the following years, Venkatesh appeared in several films, including ''[[Chintakayala Ravi]]'' (2008), ''[[Namo Venkatesa]]'' (2010) and [[Bodyguard (2012 film)|''Bodyguard'']] (2012).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Review: Chintakayala Ravi entertains|url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/2008/oct/03ssc.htm|access-date=23 August 2020|website=www.rediff.com}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|title=Om Namo Venkatesaya Review {2.5/5}: This movie is strictly for those who love the genre, the filmmaker and the combo|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movie-reviews/om-namo-venkatesaya/movie-review/57080560.cms|access-date=23 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Indo-Asian News Service|date=16 January 2012|title=Bodyguard Review|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/RegionalFlavours/Telugu-review-Bodyguard/Article1-798032.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119234149/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/RegionalFlavours/Telugu-review-Bodyguard/Article1-798032.aspx|archive-date=19 January 2012|work=Hindustan Times}}</ref>

In 2013, Venkatesh co-starred alongside [[Mahesh Babu]] in the critically acclaimed [[drama film]], ''[[Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu]]''.<ref>{{cite web|author=Shekhar|date=12 January 2013|title=Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu (SVSC) bags rave reviews|url=http://www.filmibeat.com/telugu/news/2013/seethamma-vakitlo-sirimalle-chettu-svsc-reviews-ratings-102544.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150726053352/http://www.filmibeat.com/telugu/news/2013/seethamma-vakitlo-sirimalle-chettu-svsc-reviews-ratings-102544.html|archive-date=26 July 2015|access-date=26 July 2015|publisher=Oneindia Entertainment}}</ref><ref name="H and M">{{cite web|last=Kavirayani|first=Suresh|date=29 December 2013|title=2013: The biggest hits & misses|url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/131229/entertainment-tollywood/article/2013-biggest-hits-misses|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150819093622/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/131229/entertainment-tollywood/article/2013-biggest-hits-misses|archive-date=19 August 2015|access-date=19 August 2015|work=[[Deccan Chronicle]]}}</ref> The film was the first Telugu [[Ensemble cast|multi-starrer]] film in recent decades, after which Venkatesh went on to feature in other multi-starrer films such as ''[[Masala (2013 film)|Masala]]'' (2013)'', [[Gopala Gopala (2015 film)|Gopala Gopala]]'' (2015) and ''[[F2: Fun and Frustration]]'' (2019).<ref>{{Cite web|last=Uddagiri|first=AuthorNikisha|title=It's raining multi-starrers in Telugu industry|url=https://telanganatoday.com/raining-multi-starrers-telugu-industry|access-date=23 August 2020|website=Telangana Today|language=en-US}}</ref> ''F2'' grossed over {{INR|127 crore}} and ended up as one of the [[List of Telugu films of 2019|highest-grossing Telugu film]] of that year.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hooli|first=Shekhar H.|date=22 December 2019|title=Tollywood Box office report – 2019: Highest grossing Telugu movies of the year|url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/tollywood-box-office-report-2019-highest-grossing-telugu-movies-year-810648|access-date=23 August 2020|website=International Business Times, India Edition|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.filmibeat.com/telugu/movies/f3.html#story | title=F3 Movie (2022): Release Date, Cast, Review, Trailer, Story, Budget, Box Office Collection }}</ref>

Venkatesh's performance in ''[[Drushyam]]'' (2014) received several accolades from the critics.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Seshagiri|first=Sangeetha|date=10 July 2014|title='Drushyam' Movie Review Roundup: Worth Watching|url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/drushyam-movie-review-roundup-worth-watching-604123|access-date=23 August 2020|website=International Business Times, India Edition|language=en}}</ref> He portrayed a strict boxing coach in the [[Sudha Kongara]]-directed [[sports drama]] ''[[Guru (2017 film)|Guru]]'' in 2017.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Dundoo|first=Sangeetha Devi|date=31 March 2017|title=Guru: An absorbing sports drama|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/reviews/guru-an-absorbing-sports-drama/article17749453.ece|access-date=23 August 2020|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

Later in 2019, he starred in ''[[Venky Mama]]'', alongside his nephew [[Naga Chaitanya]]. The film was a profitable venture, grossing more than {{INR|72 crore}} worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web|title='Venky Mama' Box-Office: Venkatesh and Naga Chaitanya starrer turns into a profitable venture – Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/box-office/venky-mama-box-office-venkatesh-and-naga-chaitanya-starrer-turns-into-a-profitable-venture/articleshow/72992448.cms|access-date=23 August 2020|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> In the same year, he dubbed in Telugu for the Genie, in ''[[Aladdin (2019 film)|Alladin]]''. His 2021 film ''[[Narappa]]'' was released on [[Amazon Prime]], which marked his first direct-to-OTT release.

In 2022 the 2nd part of the Fun and Frustration Series was released called F3. He starred alongside Varun Tej in this comedy masterclass°. The film received good reviews from critics and proved to be a Family Movie immediately.<ref>{{Cite web|date=20 July 2021|title=Venkatesh on his Amazon Prime movie Narappa: 'It is the most challenging film of my career so far'|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/telugu-cinema/venkatesh-on-his-amazon-prime-movie-narappa-it-is-the-most-challenging-film-of-my-career-so-far-101626762614989.html|access-date=21 July 2021|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref>

Venkatesh married Neeraja in 1985 and the couple has four children—three daughters and one son.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Venkatesh and Neeraja – Tollywood celebs and their less famous spouses|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/photo-features/tollywood-celebs-and-their-less-famous-spouses/Venkatesh-and-Neeraja/photostory/63726726.cms|access-date=16 May 2020|website=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Venkatesh Daggubati's elder daughter Aashritha gets engaged, wedding date revealed – details inside|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment/south-gossip/article/venkatesh-daggubatis-elder-daughter-aashritha-gets-engaged-wedding-date-revealed-details-insid/361702|access-date=16 May 2020|website=www.timesnownews.com|language=en}}</ref> His eldest daughter Aashritha married Vinayak Reddy, the grandson of [[Surendra Reddy|R. Surender Reddy]], the chairman of Hyderabad Race Club.<ref>{{cite web|title=Aashritha Daggubati and Vinayak Reddy tie the knot in a grand wedding in Jaipur – Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/aashritha-daggubati-and-vinayak-reddy-tie-the-knot-in-a-grand-wedding-in-jaipur/articleshow/68549311.cms|website=The Times of India}}</ref> Venkatesh's sister Lakshmi was married to actor [[Nagarjuna (actor)|Nagarjuna]], and the couple has a son, [[Naga Chaitanya]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sharma|first=Bhavana|date=14 March 2020|title=Did you know who Naga Chaitanya's step-father and half-brother are?|url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/did-you-know-who-naga-chaitanyas-step-father-half-brother-are-take-look-photo-815094|url-status=live|access-date=14 March 2021|website=[[IB Times]]}}</ref>