Ravi Teja

Ravi Teja (born Ravi Shankar Raju Bhupatiraju (Mass Maharaja Ravi teja) is an Indian Telugu film actor... He won the Nandi Award for Best Actor for the film Neninthe in 2008. He has acted in other films including Nee Kosam, Annayya, Itlu Sravani Subramanyam, Idiot, Avunu Valliddaru Ista Paddaru!, Amma Nanna O Tamila Ammayi, Veede, Venky, Naa Autograph, Bhadra, Bhageeratha, Vikramarkudu, Khatarnak, Dubai Seenu, Krishna, Neninthe, Baladur, Kick, Anjaneyulu, Don Seenu, Mirapakaay, Dongala Mutha, Veera and Balupu.

Early life

Ravi Teja is the stage name of Ravi Shankar Raju Bhupatiraju, born to Raj Gopal Raju and Rajya Lakshmi Bhupatiraju in the village of Jaggampeta, Andhra Pradesh, India.^[1] Ravi's father was a pharmacist and his mother was a homemaker. He is the eldest of three sons, the others being Bharath and Raghu are also actors.^[2] Ravi Teja spent most of his childhood in Northern India because his father used to move very often due to his work. His schooling was in Jaipur, Delhi, Mumbai and Bhopal.^[2] Ravi Teja completed his schooling at N.S.M. public school. Later on he moved to Vijayawada along with his family and completed his Bachelors in Arts at Siddhartha Degree College. From early childhood Ravi Teja had dreamt of acting in films. In 1988 he went to Chennai to start his career in films.^[2]

Personal life

Ravi Teja married to Kalyani in 2002.^[3] The couple have two children, Mokshadha (b. 2003) and Mahadhan (b. 2006).^[4] He is a good friend of Puri Jagannadh.

Career

(1990-1996)

In his early years working in Chennai, Ravi Teja struggled for opportunities to prove himself as an actor. YVS Chowdary and Gunasekhar were his roommates during those struggling days^[5] After few years of struggle, his career started taking off with small roles in films like Karthavyam (1991),^[6] Chaitanya (1991) and Aaj Ka Goonda Raj (1992). Ravi became an assistant director, working in both television and film. As an assistant director, he worked in several Bollywood as well as Telugu projects including Prathibandh, Aaj Ka Goondaraj, and Criminal.^[7] He met Krishna Vamsi and worked as an assistant director under him for the 1996 hit film Ninne Pelladutha. Vamsi also gave Ravi an opportunity to act in a small role in that film. He continued to work as an assistant director for few other films.^[8]

(1997-2000)

In 1997, while still working as an assistant director, Ravi got an opportunity to act in the film Sindhooram directed by Krishna Vamsi. Vamsi cast Ravi as a lead actor. The film was critically acclaimed and won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu. Ravi Teja's performance was critically acclaimed and was appreciated by the movie-goers. This was the turning point for Ravi's acting career.

Ravi Teja followed up this success by continuing to acting in small yet significant roles in films like Seetha Rama Raju, Padutha Teeyaga, Manasichhi Choodu and S.V. Krishna Reddy's Premaku Velayara. He became well known to Telugu movie-goers with these films and was acclaimed for his acting. In 1999, he was cast in a leading role by Srinu Vaitla for Nee Kosam co-starring Maheswari. The film was critically acclaimed and won the Silver Nandi for Best Film. Ravi Teja won the prestigious Nandi Award for Best Actor Special Jury for his performance, his first award. Following this, he started appearing in more significant roles such as Krishna Vamsi's Samudram, Chiranjeevi's Annayya and Budget Padmanabham. He also appeared in lead roles in multi-starrer films such as Kshemanga Velli Labanga Randi, Tirumala Tirupathi Venkatesa, Sakuntumba Sapari Vare Sametham and Ammayi Kosam.

(2001–2005)

In 2001, Ravi Teja's association with Puri Jagannadh began when he cast Ravi as the lead role in Itlu Sravani Subramanyam.^[9] The movie was a commercial hit and got Ravi Teja credibility as a solo lead actor. In 2002, his next film Avunu Valliddaru Ista Paddaru, directed by Vamsy and co-starring Kalyani was released. The film was a successful at the box office and won Ravi acclaim.^[10] The year also saw Ravi in Idiot. Directed by Puri Jagannadh and co-starring Rakshita, was a blockbuster hit and Ravi's performance and dialogue delivery were praised by critics and movie-goers alike.^[11][12] With three consecutive successes.

The year also saw the release of Krishna Vamsi's Khadgam. The movie was a huge success at the box office and won Sarojini Devi Award for a Film on National Integration. Ravi's portrayal of a young wannabe actor won him the Nandi Special Jury Award for the second time.^[13] In 2003, Ravi again worked with director Puri Jagannadh for Amma Nanna O Tamila Ammayi. The film co-starring Asin became a blockbuster hit and Jeevi of Idlebrain praised him, "Ravi Teja did well. His strength lies in his dialogue delivery and reckless body language".^[14] The year also saw Ravi working in commercially successful films like Dongodu, co-starring Kalyani and directed by Srinivas Bheemineni and Veede, co-starring Aarthi Agarwal and directed by Ravi Raja Pinisetty. In the same year, Ravi was also seen in films like Ee Abbayee Chala Manchodu, Anveshana and Oka Raju Oka Rani, which failed to do well at the box office.^[15][16][17]

In 2004, Ravi Teja was seen in Venky, co-starring Sneha. The film was directed by Srinu Vaitla, who previously made the critically acclaimed Nee Kosam with Ravi. The film was commercially successful. Idlebrain wrote, "His comedy is very good in the first half. His antics with Siddanthi and the way he curses himself in front of the mirror is hilarious".^[18] The same year saw Ravi acting in Naa Autograph, co-starring Gopika and Bhumika Chawla. The film was directed by cinematographer turned director S. Gopal Reddy. It was a box office success and Ravi won accolades for his performance in the film. A critic wrote, "Ravi Teja delivers a stunning performance as a dejected lover".^[19] The same year had Ravi in Chanti. The film was directed by Sobhan and was a failure at the box office. In 2005, Ravi was seen in commercially successful hit Bhadra. It was directed by Boyapati Srinu and Ravi was paired alongside Meera Jasmine. He was also seen in Bhageeratha, directed by Rasool Ellore and co-starring Shriya Saran; the film performed well at the box office. He also worked in the crime film Shock, directed by Harish Shankar and co-starring Jyothika and produced by Ram Gopal Varma, the film was unsuccessful at the box-office.

(2006–2011)

In 2006, Raviteja worked with director S. S. Rajamouli for Vikramarkudu. Co-starring Anushka Shetty, the film became a blockbuster hit. Jeevi praised his performance, "Vikramarkudu is the best film of Ravi Teja so far in histrionics aspect. He did both characters of Athali Sathi Babu and Vikram Rathod equally well, His mannerism of ‘jintata’ is simply superb".^[20] Later in 2006, Ravi Teja acted in Khatarnak,^[21] directed by Amma Raja Sekhar and co-starring Ileana D'Cruz, the film bombed at the box office. In 2007, Ravi Teja worked for the third time with director Srinu Vaitla for Dubai Seenu. Co-starring Nayantara, the film was very successful at the box office. The year also saw Ravi doing a cameo in Chiranjeevi's Shankar Dada Zindabad. In 2008, Ravi Teja acted in the blockbuster hit Krishna.^[22] Co-starring Trisha Krishnan and directed by V. V. Vinayak, the film was released for Sankranthi and performed very well at the box office.

In August 2008, Ravi Teja acted in Baladur.^[23] The film was unsuccessful at the box office. Later in the year, Ravi again collaborated with director Puri Jagganath for Neninthe.^[24] Although the film was not successful at the box office, Ravi Teja's portrayal of an up-and-coming assistant director in the film received acclaim^[25] and also won him the prestigious Nandi Award for Best Actor, Ravi's fourth time winning the Nandi award.

In 2009, Ravi Teja worked with director Surender Reddy for Kick. Co-starring Ileana D'Cruz, the film was a blockbuster hit. Later that summer, he was seen in Anjaneyulu. The film had an average run at the box office. In 2010, he was seen in the multi-starrer Shambo Shiva Shambo alongside Allari Naresh, Siva Balaji and Priyamani — a remake of 2009 Tamil hit film Naadodigal. The Telugu version was unsuccessful although Ravi won accolades for his performance.^[26] The year also saw Ravi Teja in the film Don Seenu, directed by Gopichand Malineni. Co-starring Shriya Saran, it was very successful at the box office, becoming one of the biggest hits of 2010.

In 2011, Ravi Teja had 3 releases. His first release was Harish Shankar's Mirapakay which starred Richa Gangopadhyay and Deeksha Seth along with him in lead roles. The movie released on 13 January 2011 and was the only hit of the Pongal releases in the Telugu film industry in 2011^[27] and was declared a blockbuster at its end of theatrical run. He later starred in Ram Gopal Varma's Dongala Mutha and made a cameo appearance in Katha Screenplay Darshakatvam Appalaraju, also directed by Ram Gopal Varma. Dongala Mutha, being the fastest shot Telugu film, in just 4.5 days and a budget of 6.5 lakhs, received mixed reviews from the critics. However, Ravi Teja was praised for his performance. 123telugu.com commented on his performance stating, "Among the actors, Ravi Teja does a good job in his role where he finds himself in an odd situation. This film doesn't try to showcase what Ravi Teja and his brand of entertainment is known for, but the actor breezes through his scenes."^[28] Sadly, both films bombed at the box office. His last release of the year was Ramesh Varma's Veera which starred Kajal Aggarwal and Taapsee Pannu along with him in the lead roles. The movie was released on 20 May 2011 and was a hit at the box office, completing 50 Days in 60 Centres and 100 Days in 25 centres.^[29]

(2012 – present)

2012 was one of the worst years in Ravi Teja's career. He had 4 releases in that year but none of them clicked at the box office although Ravi Teja's performances in these films were praised by the critics.^[30] His first release in 2012 was Gunasekhar's Nippu, which starred Ravi Teja and Deeksha Seth in the lead roles. The movie turned out to be the biggest disaster in recent times and in Ravi Teja's career as well. His next release was Siva's Daruvu which starred Taapsee Pannu as his co-star. The movie was an "Above Average" grosser at the Box office.^[31] But Ravi Teja's performance was praised by critics. 123telugu.com wrote, "Ravi Teja continues to amaze with his incredible energy levels. His best performance comes when he portrays the role of the Home Minister with negative shades. There is a lot of potential in this fine actor and someone needs to tap that."^[32]

His next release was Puri Jagannadh's Devudu Chesina Manushulu which starred Ileana D'Cruz, Prakash Raj, Brahmanandam and Kovai Sarala in other important roles. The Movie released on 15 August 2012 amidst high expectations but was an utter-flop at the Box office.^[33] His last release in 2012 was Parasuram's Sarocharu which starred Kajal Aggarwal, Richa Gangopadhyay, Jayasudha and Nara Rohith in other vital roles which released amidst great expectations. The movie, which was claimed to be Raviteja's Class appearance after a long time, was a "Below Average" grosser at the Box office.^[34] But his performance was well praised. 123telugu.com wrote "Ravi Teja has played a very different character in this movie and it is a welcome change from the loud and hyperactive roles he has played in recent years. His performance is balanced, mature and classy."^[35] SuperGoodMovies.com wrote "Raviteja is the life and soul of the movie. His performance was outstanding."^[36] Rediff.com wrote "Ravi Teja is in a different avatar, a more subdued one. A change of image and role is necessary for an actor and Ravi Teja makes the transition fairly well."^[37]

However, 2013 saw Ravi Teja's career gaining its Resurgence. His first release in 2013 was Gopichand Malineni's Action Entertainer Balupu co-starring Shruti Haasan and Anjali in the lead roles. The movie opened to positive reviews from critics as well as audience. The Times of India wrote "Ravi Teja has come up with an entertaining performance. His characterization and the flashback episode as Kancharapalem Shankar looked very powerful on the screen. He gets into the skin of the character and has done well.".^[38] The film turned one of the biggest Critical and Commercial success of the year,^[39] moreover collecting the amount more than his previous hit films closing businesses in its first week at the Overseas Box Office.^[40]

Currently, He is making a special appearance in Sairam Shankar's Romeo.^[41] & Raviteja and K. S. Ravindra (Bobby) New Movie Shooting starts from December 11.^[42] Ravi Teja & K. S. Ravindra (Bobby)Movie Conformed With Heroine Hansika Motwani , Producer Rockline Venkatesh Music by S. Thaman, With Kona Venkat Story ^[43]

Filmography

1990s

2000s

2010s

Upcoming Projects

Awards and nominations

References

External links

• Ravi Teja at the Internet Movie Database