Sumanth

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Sumanth
SumanthKumar.jpg
Sumanth in 2021
Born
Yarlagadda Sumanth Kumar

(1975-02-09) 9 February 1975 (age 48)
Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh (now in Telangana), India
Alma materColumbia College Chicago
OccupationActor, Producer
Years active1999–present
Spouse(s)
​
(
m. 2004; div. 2006)
RelativesSee Daggubati-Akkineni Family

Yarlagadda Sumanth Kumar (born 9 February 1975), known mononymously as Sumanth, is an Indian actor who works predominantly in Telugu cinema.He is the eldest grandson of Telugu actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao.His most notable movies includes Satyam (2003), Gowri (2004), Godavari (2006), Madhumasam (2008), Golconda High School (2011), and Malli Raava (2017). He is also a partner in Annapurna Studios.[1]

Background and early life[edit]

Sumanth was born in Hyderabad, India, on 9 February 1975.[2][3] He is the only son of Surendra Yarlagadda and Satyavathi Akkineni and the eldest grand child of the Telugu film actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao. A few months after his birth, Sumanth's parents returned to the US where they were residing. Sumanth, however, remained in India on the request of his grandfather Akkineni Nageswara Rao, who was then on a hiatus from films after a major heart surgery. The latter had often said that his busy acting career prevented him from fully experiencing fatherhood with his own children, so he wished to raise his first grandchild himself. Subsequently, Sumanth was adopted by his maternal grandparents.[4]

Family[edit]

Sumanth's father Surendra Yarlagadda is a retired film producer, noted for several hit films such as Shiva, Rao Gari Illu, Gaayam, Muchattaga Mugguru and Collector Gari Abbayi. Sumanth has one sister, Supriya Yarlagadda, who is the executive director of Annapurna Studios. Prominent actor Nagarjuna Akkineni is his maternal uncle. The famous late film producer D. Ramanaidu is his uncle from his paternal side. Also, noted film producer Daggubati Suresh Babu and actor Venkatesh Daggubati are his cousins. Actors Rana Daggubati, Naga Chaitanya, Akhil Akkineni, and Sushanth are also his cousins.[citation needed]

In August 2004, Sumanth married former actress Keerthi Reddy. They, however, were divorced amicably in 2006.[5]

Education[edit]

Sumanth studied at the Hyderabad Public School, graduating in 1991. For his undergraduate studies, he enrolled in an engineering course in Michigan. Realising after 2 years that it wasn't in his best interest, he transferred to Columbia College Chicago, from where he graduated with a B.A in Film Studies in 1997.[6] He was selected to the Dean's List during his final two semesters for his academic excellence. He said that it was only in film school where he truly enjoyed and thrived in academics.

Career[edit]

1999–2004[edit]

Sumanth started his acting career playing the lead in Ram Gopal Varma's Prema Katha, which released on 15 April 1999. Despite moderate commercial success, Sumanth's performance was well appreciated, and the film too won critical acclaim and several Nandi Awards.[7] His next film, Yuvakudu, directed by Karunakaran and co-starring debutant Bhumika Chawla, did positive business at the box office and was critically hailed as well. His third film Pelli Sambandham gave him the opportunity to act beside his grandfather Akkineni Nageswara Rao, and was directed by K. Raghavendra Rao. The film, however, managed only average business at the box office. The same was the case with Snehamante Idera, where he was cast alongside his uncle Nagarjuna Akkineni.

In 2003, after a self imposed hiatus of almost 2 years, he starred in his first blockbuster Satyam. It also happened to be Genelia D'Souza's debut Telugu film.[8] Satyam, which was produced by his uncle Nagarjuna, was one of the highest-grossing films of 2003–2004. Sumanth revealed that he was actively involved in the production and creative input for this film besides acting. Shifting genres, he followed up with another hit film, the action/drama Gowri, which confirmed him as a bona fide box office draw, and gave him an action image.[9]

2005–2017[edit]

After the flop Dhana 51, and the above average Mahanandi alongside Anushka Shetty, Sumanth changed his path completely in 2006, starring in Sekhar Kammula's romantic comedy/drama Godavari. It remains one of the most acclaimed films in his career.[10] In addition to receiving rave reviews and box office success, it went on to win multiple Nandi and Filmfare awards.[11] Godavari was responsible in giving Sumanth an urban and NRI following, and is widely considered a modern-day classic.[12]

Sumanth's next film was the average running action/family drama Chinnodu (2006). In 2007, he starred in two movies: Madhumasam and Classmates. The former, a romantic comedy/drama alongside Sneha, produced by D. Ramanaidu and directed by Chandra Siddhartha, was a hit, whereas the latter did not fare too well, despite good reviews.[13] In early 2008, Sumanth's home production, the action/drama Pourudu alongside Kajal Aggarwal turned out to be a moderate success.[14] It was especially appreciated for its action sequences. However, his next film, the action/romance Boni alongside Kriti Kharbanda released in mid 2009, and failed at the box office.

In 2011, after a gap of almost a year, Sumanth took a rather bold turn by starring in Golconda High School, directed by the national award-winning Indraganti Mohan Krishna. It was based on the English novel The Men Within, written by ex-cricketer Harimohan Paruvu, and it is regarded to be one of the first sports dramas in Telugu.[15] Released on 15 January 2011, it garnered excellent critical acclaim and was declared a commercial hit as well. The critics as well as audience praised Sumanth's portrayal of a cricket coach with a chequered, calling it one of his finest roles.[16]

Sumanth's next was the romantic drama Raaj, which released in March 2011, but failed miserably at the box office. Sumanth candidly admitted after release that he wasn't expecting much from this film as it was plagued with several problems during production. Following this, he starred in Daggaraga Dooramga, a romance/ thriller under the direction of Ravi Kumar Chavali, and it was another failure. In 2013, Sumanth teamed up again with director Chandra Siddhartha for the romantic comedy Emo Gurram Egaravachu[17] It released on 25 January 2014 to a lukewarm response from the audience. Sumanth's foray into the comedy genre however received fairly positive reviews from the critics.[18] Next came the romantic comedy Naruda Donoruda, the remake of the Hindi hit Vicky Donor. It released in November 2016, but this too did not fare well. Economic demonetization, which came into effect a few days after its release, was deemed one of the main reasons for its box office failure.

2017–present[edit]

After a series of disappointments, Sumanth made a strong comeback with the romantic drama Malli Raava, under the direction of Gowtam Tinnanuri. Released on 8 December 2017, it received positive reviews, and was a box office hit. Some critics even went to the extent of calling it his best film to date.[19] Sumanth's performance too was praised, and he won the best actor award from the Telugu Chamber of Film/Commerce. The film also won in the best film and best director categories.

Sumanth's next was a supernatural mystery/thriller Subrahmanyapuram, directed by debutant Santhossh Jagarlapudi. Released on 7 December 2018, it received mixed reviews and turned out an above par grosser. This was followed by the drama/thriller Idam Jagath, which didn't fare too well. He was then seen donning the role of his grandfather Akkineni Nageswara Rao in the Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao biopic N.T.R: Kathanayakudu, directed by Krish Jagarlamudi.[20] This film opened on 9 January 2019, to critical acclaim . Sumanth's portrayal in his first supporting role drew unanimous praise from all quarters.[21] He next appeared in the investigative drama Kapatadhaari,[22] released on 19 February 2021, to some positive critical acclaim,[23] and his performance too as a traffic cop was generally applauded.[24]

Switching modes completely, Sumanth has completed shoot for a gangster action comedy titled Anaganaga Oka Rowdy, in which he's playing the lead. It is directed by Manu Yagna.[25]

His other film Malli Modalaindi, a romantic comedy directed by debutant Keerthi Kumar TG and produced by Red Cinemas is due for release soon.[26]

He is presently playing a key supporting role in a period war drama starring Dulquer Salmaan. It is produced by Swapna Dutt and directed by Hanu Raghavapudi.[27]

In addition, Sumanth is also playing the lead role in a drama thriller titled Aham Reboot that is written and directed by Prashant Sagar Atluri.[28]


Sumanth has expressed an interest to diversify into playing author backed supporting and negative roles in the future, while parallelly doing lead roles.[29]

Filmography[edit]

Actor
Key
Films that have not yet been released Denotes films that have not yet been released
Year Film Role Notes
1999 Prema Katha Suri Debut in as lead role
2000 Yuvakudu Siva
Pelli Sambandham Grandson
2001 Ramma Chilakamma Kasi
Snehamante Idera Chandrasekhar "Chandru"
2003 Satyam Satyam
2004 Gowri Gowri Shankar
2005 Soggadu Himself Cameo appearance
Dhana 51 Dhana
Mahanandi Shankar
2006 Godavari Sreeram "Ram"
Chinnodu Chinna
2007 Classmates Ravi Kiran IAS, (District Collector)
2008 Madhumasam Sanjay
2009 Pourudu Ajay
Boni DD
2011 Golconda High School Sampath
Raaj Raaj
Daggaraga Dooranga Gowtham
2014 Emo Gurram Egaravachu Bullebbai
2016 Naruda Donoruda Vicky
2017 Malli Raava Karthik
2018 Subrahmanyapuram Karthik
Idam Jagath Nishith
2019 N.T.R: Kathanayakudu Akkineni Nageswara Rao
N.T.R: Mahanayakudu
2021 Kapatadhaari Gowtham
Anangana Oka Rowdy Films that have not yet been released Waltair Seenu Filming[30]
TBA
Malli Modalaindidagger Vikram Filming
Dubbing artist
  • Ranveer Singh - 83

References[edit]

  1. ↑ "Archive News - The Hindu". Hinduonnet.com. Archived from the original on 11 October 2020. Retrieved 1 December 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  2. ↑ "'I am not resisting any woman' - HYDB". The Hindu. 11 January 2008. Archived from the original on 20 November 2015. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
  3. ↑ "Sumanth Birthday Special! Unseen photos of Tollywood's most underrated hero". The Times of India. 9 February 2020. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  4. ↑ "Sumanth Said Yes For Second Marriage". Greatandhra.com. 18 September 2011. Archived from the original on 10 February 2015. Retrieved 18 March 2013.
  5. ↑ "Archive News". The Hindu. 11 January 2008. Archived from the original on 6 April 2011. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
  6. ↑ "Sumanth". GoTelugu. Archived from the original on 8 June 2011. Retrieved 2011-04-25.
  7. ↑ "The Nandi Awards For 1999". fullhyderabad.com.
  8. ↑ "Satyam Review". Idlebrain. Archived from the original on 14 March 2019. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
  9. ↑ "Gowri Review". Full Hyderabad. Archived from the original on 29 December 2018. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
  10. ↑ "Godavari - Telugu cinema Review - Sumanth & Kamalinee Mukherjee". idlebrain.com. Archived from the original on 15 October 2007. Retrieved 25 April 2011.
  11. ↑ "Nag, Genelia get Nandi Awards for 2006". indiaglitz.com. Archived from the original on 23 October 2012. Retrieved 25 April 2011.
  12. ↑ nmagesh (28 February 2011). "Frankly dear, I don't give a damn". nmagesh.blogspot.in. Archived from the original on 10 February 2015. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
  13. ↑ "Madhumasam 100 days function - Telugu cinema - Sumanth, Sneha & Parvati Melton". idlebrain.com. Archived from the original on 7 November 2011. Retrieved 25 April 2011.
  14. ↑ "Sumanth interview - chitchat - Telugu film actor". idlebrain.com. Archived from the original on 13 September 2011. Retrieved 25 April 2011.
  15. ↑ "Golconda High School Review - Golconda High School Movie Review - Sumanth - Swathi - Sunita's Reviews - CineGoer.com". cinegoer.com. Archived from the original on 25 April 2011. Retrieved 25 April 2011.
  16. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 26 October 2012. Retrieved 25 April 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  17. ↑ "Chandra Siddhartha's next: Yemo Gurram Yegaravacchu". indiaglitz.com. Archived from the original on 28 October 2012. Retrieved 27 October 2012.
  18. ↑ "Emo Gurram Egaraavachchu Movie Review". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 29 January 2014. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
  19. ↑ "Malli Rava movie review". Firstpost. 8 December 2017. Archived from the original on 16 December 2017. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
  20. ↑ "Sumanth as ANR in NTR biopic". tupaki. Archived from the original on 28 July 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
  21. ↑ "NTR Kathanayakudu review byJeevi". Idlebrain. Archived from the original on 13 January 2019. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  22. ↑ "Sumanth begins shoot for 'Kavaludaari' remake - Times of India". Archived from the original on 14 January 2020. Retrieved 5 November 2019.
  23. ↑ "Kapatadhaari Movie Review: An engaging thriller that unfolds well".
  24. ↑ "Kapatadhaari Telugu Movie Review | Sumanth | Kapatadhaari Movie Review | Kapatadhaari Review". 16 February 2021.
  25. ↑ "Anaganaga Oka Rowdy: Sumanth wraps up shooting of his next with director Manu Yagnaa - Times of India".
  26. ↑ "Sumanth reveals details of his upcoming rom-com - Times of India".
  27. ↑ "Sumanth plays a role in Dulquer Salmaan's film".
  28. ↑ https://www.tollywood.net/pre-look-poster-of-sumanth-aham-reboot/. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  29. ↑ "In 2013, Sumanth sets his sight on bad boy role". Zee News. 21 January 2013. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
  30. ↑ "Sumanth's next is 'Anaganaga Oka Rowdy'". Telangana Today. Retrieved 28 February 2021.

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