Nani (actor)

Nani
Nani at Aaha Kalyanam's audio launch in January 2014
Native name	నవీన్ బాబు గంటా "నాని"
Born	Naveen Babu Ghanta (1984-02-24) 24 February 1984 Hyderabad, Telangana state, India
Residence	Hyderabad, Telangana state, India
Other names	Natural Star [1]
Occupation	Actor, Producer, Assistant Director, Host
Years active	2008–present
Spouse(s)	Anjana Yalavarthi (2012–present)
Children	1
Website	Official website

Naveen Babu Ghanta,^[2] better known by his stage name Nani, is an Indian actor who stars predominantly in Telugu films and has appeared in a few Tamil films. After his education, he became an assistant director and worked with Srinu Vaitla and Bapu,^[3] before working as an RJ for World Space Satellite in Hyderabad.^[4] He won the State Nandi Award for Best Actor for Yeto Vellipoyindhi Manasu, and the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor – South for Bhale Bhale Magadivoy.^[5] He has a special craze among overseas Telugu audiences, especially in Australia and the USA. Apart from Rajamouli and Gautham Menon, all the directors he has worked with are relatively new and not established or popular names in the industry.^[6]

Early and personal life

Nani was brought up in Hyderabad, Telangana state, India. He did his schooling from St. Alphonsa's High School and then studied in Narayana Junior College, S.R Nagar before graduating from Wesley's.^[4]

Nani got engaged on 12 August 2012, to his girlfriend of five years, Anjana Yelavarthy. Speaking to Hyderabad Times, the actor said, "We exchanged rings in a simple ceremony in Visakhapatnam that was attended by both our families." The couple got married on 27 October that year, in a private ceremony in the city.^[7]

Career

Career beginnings and struggle (2008–2011)

During his graduation, Nani "got addicted" to movies, citing Mani Ratnam as a big influence on him.^[4] He wanted to become a director; thanks to producer Anil, who was a distant relative of his, Nani could join director Bapu as a "clap director" for the film Radha Gopalam that Anil was producing at that time.^[4] He then worked for films including Allari Bullodu, Dhee and Astram. Nani took a sabbatical to work on a film script. Nandini Reddy, a friend who was then working as a radio jockey for World Space Satellite, offered Nani work as an RJ.^[4] He accepted and worked for one year, hosting a program named "Non-Stop Nani".^[8] He was offered the film Ashta Chamma, also starring Swati Reddy, when the film's director Mohan Krishna Indraganti noticed him in an advertisement.^[4] Ashta Chamma was well received by critics and Nani's performance was praised by them. Sify.com wrote "Nani has a very good screen presence. He has good emotions and dances well, though his body language sometimes reminds of Subhalekha Sudhakar – May this be treated as a compliment to the ease that the veteran actor shows on the screen! His diction is good too."^[9] The film was a Super Hit at the Box office.^[10] His second film, Ride, was produced by Bellamkonda Suresh in which Tanish, Swetha Basu Prasad and Aksha Pardasany played important roles. Ride was also a notable success at the Box office.^[11] He next starred in Satyam Bellamkonda's film Snehituda... opposite Maadhavi Latha. Snehituda opened to negative reviews and the film was a flop at the Box office.^[12] In 2010, he played the main role in the film Bheemili Kabaddi Jattu, a remake of Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu, with Saranya Mohan reprising her role as the heroine. The film opened to positive reviews with Nani's performance receiving appreciation. Rediff said Nani "perfectly fits the bill" and praised him for selecting the script,^[13] and Oneindia Entertainment commented that Nani "has given his best" and "suited perfectly to the role".^[14] The film was a surprise hit at the box office.^[15]

Breakthrough and success (2011–2012)

His first release in 2011, Ala Modalaindi, was a romantic comedy written and directed by Nandini Reddy. Nithya Menen was the female lead of the film and it was her debut in Telugu. It was told that many of the scenes in the film were inspired from the life of Nani and Nandini Reddy. Nani's performance in the film received positive reviews, with critics noting that he was "completely natural" and "living [his] role".^[16][17] The film was a Blockbuster at the Box office.^[18] Simultaneously he did a Tamil film, Veppam, with his friend Anjana as director which marked his Debut in Tamil cinema. Veppam received mixed reviews but Nani and Bindu Madhavi were appreciated. The Times of India called their debuts as "confident"^[19] while Sify called Nani's performance as "riveting" and added that the viewer "can't take eyes off" him.^[20] It was dubbed into Telugu as Sega. Both the versions were flops at the respective Box offices.^[21] Later in 2011, Nani had his last release in Pilla Zamindar, in which he and Srinivas Avasarala were once again seen together after Ashta Chemma. Pilla Zamindar opened to mostly positive reviews from critics and Nani's performance as a spoilt-brat-turned-leader was well appreciated. Rediff wrote "Pilla Zamindar is Nani's show all the way. He lives up to the role and is able to portray the kaleidoscope of emotions demanded of him. "^[22] IndiaGlitz wrote "Performance-wise, Nani delivers a matured output in the second half as a youth in self-introspecting and self-correcting mode."^[23] The film was a Hit at the Box office prompting a Tamil dubbed release under the title Jameen. Nani's next release was S. S. Rajamouli's live action project Eega. Shot Simultaneously into Tamil as Naan Ee, it featured Nani, Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Kannada Superstar Sudeep in main roles. Eega received unusual positive response with Nani's act being praised. IBN Live commented that Nani "sizzled" in his performance^[24] while Rediff praised that Nani "makes a mark in his brief role".^[25] The film was a Blockbuster at the Box office and was dubbed into Hindi as Makkhi and into Malayalam as Eecha.^[26]

Ajay Devgan, Nani and Rajamouli during the special screening of Makkhi-(Hindi dubbed version of Eega (2012))

His last release of 2012 was Gautham Menon's Yeto Vellipoyindhi Manasu opposite Samantha Ruth Prabhu. It was the simultaneously shot Telugu version of the Tamil film Neethane En Ponvasantham which featured Jiiva in the place of Nani. Nani made a guest appearance in the Tamil version too. His portrayal of Varun Krishna was highly appreciated by critics. The Hindu wrote "Nani rises to the occasion with a mature performance. He speaks volumes through his eyes and conveys Varun's thoughts through the smallest of mannerisms. The climax completely belongs to him."^[27] IndiaGlitz wrote "If Samantha's maturity as an actor is obvious, Nani's knack is equally brilliant. He is quintessentially natural and is almost impeccable. The way he sings "Priyatama Neevachata Kushalama" sets the stage for a performance that deserves a big round of applause."^[28] His performance in Yeto Vellipoyindi Manasu is considered to be one of his best performances till date and IndiaGlitz while reviewing the Telugu version of his 2014 Tamil film Aaha Kalyanam wrote "Nani's best-ever act is 'Yeto Vellipoyindi Manasu' and he himself may not better that act in the near future, that is in a similar role".^[29] Though the film received mixed reviews from film critics,^[30] it had a positive response at the box office, especially in multiplexes due to Nani and Samantha's performances^[31] and was declared a Hit at the Box Office.^[32]

Further success (2013–present)

Nani turned producer for the film D for Dopidi, which was co-produced by Raj Nidimoru and Krishna D.K. and starred Sundeep Kishan and Varun Sandesh. He also lent his voice to the film.^[33] The film was a flop at the box office.^[34]

In 2014, Nani was first seen in Krishna Vamsi's Paisa. The film revolved around the power of money and its influence over everything in society.^[35] Nani played the role of Prakash, a Sherwani model who is obsessed with gaining money.^[36] The film opened to mixed reviews; Nani's performance was appreciated by critics. The Hindu wrote, "Nani holds the film together and proves his merit yet again. He shuns all the refinement he showed in his previous romantic characters and breathes life into the part of a smart Alec threatening to hold up the shooting of a sherwani commercial for Rs. 200 more. The film's highlight is the scene where he chances upon bags of cash and his reaction thereafter."^[37] The film had an average performance at the box office.^[38] He next starred in Yash Raj Films' maiden south Indian production Aaha Kalyanam, the Tamil remake of the 2010 Hindi film Band Baaja Baaraat (also produced by Yash Raj Films). It was partly shot simultaneously in Telugu under the same title. The film received mixed reviews but Nani's performance as Shakti was well received. Sify called his performance "pitch perfect"^[39] while IndiaGlitz wrote, "Nani is the apple of everyone's eyes once again, adding a good dose of humour in his presence".^[40] Behindwoods commented that "Aaha Kalyanam provides great scope for the leads and Nani, who is known for his intense roles, fits the character of a carefree youth perfectly, with his broken English and casual attitude."^[41]

In 2015, Nani played a dual role for the first time in the film Janda Pai Kapiraju, co-starring Amala Paul. The film was simultaneously made in Tamil as Nimirndhu Nil with Jayam Ravi in Nani's role.^[42][43] His another release Yevade Subramanyam was also released on the same date of Jenda Pai Kapiraju to a majority of positive response and reviews and was commercially successful. Sangeetha Devi of The Hindu wrote "Nani is a fine actor and lives the part of Subramanyam, mirroring the insecurities of the work force caught in a rat race. As he sheds the corporate mask, he comes into his own, one step at a time on the mountains."^[44] On 4 September 2015,Nani's Bhale Bhale Magadivoy hit the screens directed by Maruthi Dasari and produced by geetha arts in association with UV creations the movie received positive responses from critics Pranita Jonnalagedda of The Times of India gave the film 3.5 out of 5 stars and stated that Bhale Bhale Magadivoy comes across as a "breath of fresh air" because it "successfully keeps itself away from the regular formula of romantic comedies [and is] devoid of the oh-so-overused cliches" and is a "delight for anyone looking for wholesome entertainment".^[45] The film was a BlockBuster at the box office and went onto to become the fourth-highest grossing Telugu film of all time at the United States box office.^[46]

In 2016, his first movie was Krishna Gaadi Veera Prema Gaadha a romantic comedy interlaced adventure thriller film with a rural backdrop written and directed by Hanu Raghavapudi and produced under the banner of 14 Reels Entertainment saw newcomer Mehreen Pirzada as the female lead.The film opened with positive response from critics, Sangeetha Devi Dundoo of The Hindu while giving the movie 3 out of 5 stars said that "Hanu Raghavapudi proves his mettle with Krishna Gaadi Veera Prema Gaadha and makes it an entertaining watch".^[47] The movie fared really well at the box office. Thus,became Nani's biggest opener in India, beating the records of his last film Bhale Bhale Magadivoy.^[48]

Nani's second release in 2016 was Gentleman, a romantic murder mystery thriller directed by his mentor Indraganti Mohan Krishna, who introduced him with Ashta Chamma. Nani played dual role in the film. The movie was released to positive reviews and went on to become Nani's 3rd highest grosser after Eega and Bhale Bhale Magadivoy.^[49][50] His last release in 2016 was a romantic comedy titled Majnu.The film was an average grosser at the box office^[51]

In 2017 February, his next movie also a romantic comedy titled Nenu Local was released and became a block buster though the movie was criticised for a routine plot. It was Nani's highest grosser after Eega. According to Andhra Box Office, it was the "Biggest Earner in Mid-range Young Heroes Films(Non-SSR and Trivikram)^[52]

2017 saw the release of Ninnu Kori, a romantic film, which brought him even more critical acclaim for his portrayal of a heartbroken lover.^[53]

With Ninnu Kori, Nani has delivered seven consecutive successful films at the box office in a span of 3 years, a rare feat by any actor.^[54]

Filmography

Awards and recognition

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Nani (actor).

• Nani on IMDb

Nandi Award for Best Actor
Nandi Awards
1964–1980	Akkineni Nageswara (1964) Akkineni Nageswara Rao (1965) Chandra Mohan (1966) Akkineni Nageswara Rao (1967) S. V. Ranga Rao (1968) Sobhan Babu (1969) N. T. Rama Rao (1970) Sobhan Babu (1971) Sobhan Babu (1972) Sobhan Babu (1973) Krishna (1974) Sobhan Babu (1975) Rallapalli (1976) Krishnam Raju (1977) Hema Sundar (1978) Gokina Rama Rao (1979) M. Prabhakar Reddy (1980)
1981–1990	Kamal Haasan (1989) Rajendra Prasad (1990)
1991-2000	Dasari Narayana Rao (1991) Chiranjeevi (1992) Jagapati Babu and Suman (1993) Akkineni Nageswara Rao (1994) Venkatesh and Naresh (1995) Jagapati Babu (1996) Akkineni Nagarjuna (1997) Venkatesh (1998) Venkatesh (1999) Jagapati Babu (2000)
2001-present	Nandamuri Balakrishna (2001) Chiranjeevi and Akkineni Nagarjuna (2002) Mahesh Babu (2003) Rajendra Prasad (2004) Mahesh Babu (2005) Akkineni Nagarjuna (2006) Venkatesh (2007) Ravi Teja (2008) Dasari Narayana Rao (2009) Nandamuri Balakrishna (2010) Mahesh Babu (2011) Nani (2012) Prabhas (2013)
Category