Ravi Teja

      Ravi Teja
      Born Ravi Shankar Raju Bhupatiraju
      (1968-01-26) 26 January 1968 (age 45)
      Jaggampeta, East Godavari, India
      Residence Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India
      Other names Mass Maharaja / Crazy Star / Mass Raja[1]
      Occupation Actor
      Years active 1990 – Present
      Spouse(s) Kalyani
      Children 2

      Ravi Teja (born Ravi Shankar Raju Bhupatiraju on 26 January 1968) 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 Avunu Valliddaru Ista Paddaru, Idiot, Amma Nanna O Tamila Ammayi, Venky, Bhadra, Vikramarkudu, Krishna, Kick, and Mirapakaay.

      Early life

      Ravi Teja is the stage name of Ravi Shankar Raju Bhupatiraju, born to Raj Gopal Raju and Rajya Lakshmi Bhupatiraju on 26 January 1968 in the village of Jaggampeta, Andhra Pradesh, India.[2] 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.[3] 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.[3] 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.[3]

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      Personal life

      Ravi Teja married Kalyani in 2002.[4] The couple have two children, Mokshadha (b. 2003) and Mahadhan (b. 2006).[5] He is a good friend of Puri Jagannadh.

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      Career

      Early career (1990-1996)

      In his early years working in Chennai, Ravi Teja struggled for opportunities to prove himself as an actor. Y.V.S. Chowdary and Gunasekhar were his roommates during those struggling days[6] After few years of struggle, his career started taking off with small roles in films like Karthavyam (1991),[7]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.[8] 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.[9]

      Breakthrough (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.

      Lead roles(2001–2005)

      In 2001, Ravi Teja's association with Puri Jagannadh began when he cast Ravi as the lead role in Itlu Sravani Subramanyam.[10] 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.[11] 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.[12][13] With three consecutive successes, Ravi Teja became a bonified star in Telugu cinema.

      The year also saw the release of Krishna Vamsi's Khadgam. Ravi Teja was cast as one of the lead actors. 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.[14] 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".[15] 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.[16][17][18]

      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".[19] 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".[20] 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.

      Commercial stardom (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".[21] Later in 2006, Ravi Teja acted in Khatarnak,[22] 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.[23] 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.[24] The film was unsuccessful at the box office. Later in the year, Ravi again collaborated with director Puri Jagganath for Neninthe.[25] 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[26] 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.[27] 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[28] 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."[29] 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.[30]

      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.[31] 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.[32] 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."[33]

      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 admist high expectations but was a utter-flop at the Box office.[34] 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 admist 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.[35] 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."[36] SuperGoodMovies.com wrote "Raviteja is the life and soul of the movie. His performance was outstanding."[37] 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."[38]

      Currently, Raviteja is starring in Balupu which stars Shruti Haasan and Anjali in main roles. This movie is directed by Gopichand Malineni. The Movie would have a release in May 2013.[39] He would make a special appearance in Sairam Shankar's Romeo.[40] He also signed a movie named "Jinthatha" directed by Koti, a former associate of S. S. Rajamouli[41] Besides, He signed Nandini Reddy's next movie and A. Karunakaran's next movie which would go on floors soon.[42][43] He would also star in the Telugu Remake of OMG – Oh My God! in which he is reprising the role of Akshay Kumar in that film.[44]

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      Popularity

      Ravi Teja is one of the few actors who did not come from a film related family and struggled for many years to come in this position which proves to be an inspiration for many persons. Similar to another actor Allari Naresh, his films are often tagged as "minimum guarantee" because films are made on low budget and raked great profits to producers and distributors.[45] He was ranked 50th out of 100 in the list of 2012 Famous Indian Celebrities of Forbes, ranking 38th in Money and 56th in fame. He was succeeded by popular stars like Pawan Kalyan, Nagarjuna and Jr NTR in 53rd, 56th, 66th positions. There, Forbes commented his dull phase in 2012 as an "aberration".[46]

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      Filmography

      1990s

      Year Title Role(s) Notes
      1991 Karthavyam
      1991 Chaithanya
      1992 Aaj Ka Goonda Raj Hindi film
      1993 Allari Priyudu
      1994 Criminal Hindi film
      1996 Ninne Pelladutha Disco Dancer
      1998 Sindhooram Chanti
      1998 Seetharama Raju
      1998 Padutha Teeyaga
      1999 Manasichhi Choodu Chanti
      1999 Premaku Velayara Ravi
      1999 Nee Kosam Nandi Special Jury Award
      1999 Samudram
      1999 O Panaipothundi Babu Suresh's brother
      1999 Preminche Manasu Vadde Naveen friend

      2000s

      Year Title Role(s) Notes
      2000 Kshemanga Velli Labanga Randi Bramhanandam friend
      2000 Tirumala Tirupathi Venkatesa Tirupathi
      2000 Sakutumba Saparivara Sametham Srikanth's friend
      2000 Annayya Ravi
      2001 Chiranjeevulu Chandu
      2001 Ammayi Kosam Ravi
      2001 Budget Padmanabham Ravi
      2001 Itlu Sravani Subramanyam Subramanyam
      2002 Vandeemataram Ravi
      2002 Avunu Valliddaru Ista Paddaru Anil
      2002 Idiot Chanti
      2002 Anveshna Avinash
      2002 Khadgam Koti Nandi Special Jury Award
      2003 Ee Abbai Chala Manchodu Vivekananda
      2003 Amma Nanna O Tamila Ammayi Chandu
      2003 Oka Raju Oka Rani Ravi
      2003 Dongodu Madhava remake of malayalam film Meesa Madhavan
      2003 Veede Yedukondalu remake of Dhool
      2004 Venky Venky
      2004 Naa Autograph Seenu remake of tamil film Autograph
      2004 Chanti Chanti
      2005 Bhadra Bhadra
      2005 Bhageeratha Chandu
      2006 Shock Sekhar
      2006 Vikramarkudu Athili Satti Babu,
      ACP Vikram Rathod      		 Dual role
      2006 Khatarnak Dasu
      2007 Dubai Seenu Srinivas
      2007 Shankar Dada Zindabad Cameo
      2008 Krishna Krishna Nominated - Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu
      2008 Baladur Chanti
      2008 Neninthe Ravi Nandi Award for Best Actor
      2009 Kick Kalyan Nominated - Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu
      2009 Anjaneyulu Anjaneyulu

      2010s

      Year Title Role(s) Notes
      2010 Shambo Shiva Shambo Karna remake of Naadodigal
      2010 Maryada Ramanna narrator (voice)
      2010 Don Seenu Don Seenu
      2011 Mirapakaay Rishikesh
      2011 Katha Screenplay Darshakatvam Appalaraju RaviTeja Dup Cameo
      2011 Dongala Mutha Sudheer
      2011 Veera Deva / Veera
      2012 Nippu Surya
      2012 Daruvu Bullet Raja / Ravindra
      2012 Devudu Chesina Manushulu Ravi Teja
      2012 Sarocharu Karthik

      2013 balupu

      Upcoming Projects

      Year Title Role(s) Notes
      2013 Romeo guest role completed
      2013 Balupu Completed
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      Awards and nominations

      Year Award Category Film Result
      1999 Nandi Awards Nandi Special Jury Award Nee Kosam Won
      2002 Nandi Awards Nandi Special Jury Award[47] Khadgam Won
      2008 Nandi Awards Nandi Award for Best Actor[48] Neninthe Won
      2008 Filmfare Awards South Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu Krishna Nominated
      2009 Filmfare Awards South Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu Kick Nominated
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      References

      1. ^ Pasupulate, Karthik (9 January 2012). "Mass Maharaja back in action". Times of India. Retrieved 23 February 2012. 
      2. ^ "Ravi Teja Profile". Andhra Reporter. Retrieved 29 August 2012. 
      3. ^ a b c "Ravi Teja Biography". One India. Retrieved 29 August 2012. 
      4. ^ "Ravi Teja profile". maa stars. Retrieved 23 February 2012. 
      5. ^ "Interview with Ravi Teja". Cinegoer. Retrieved 23 February 2012. 
      6. ^ "YVS, Gunasekhar & Ravi were rommates". The Times Of India. 29 May 2011. 
      7. ^ "Karthavyam". telugufilms.org. Retrieved 23 February 2012. 
      8. ^ "Ravi Teja profile". total tollywood. Retrieved 23 February 2012. 
      9. ^ "ravi teja films". telugu colors. Retrieved 23 February 2012. 
      10. ^ "Telugu Cinema - Review - Itlu Sravani Subramanyam - Ravi Teja, Tanu Roy, Samrin - Poori Jaganath - Chakri - Reddy". Idlebrain.com. 2001-09-14. Retrieved 2013-04-26. 
      11. ^ "Telugu Cinema - Review - Avunu Valliddaru Ista Paddaru - Ravi Teja, Kalyani - Vamsy - Chakri". Idlebrain.com. 2002-08-02. Retrieved 2013-04-26. 
      12. ^ "Idiot review: Idiot (Telugu) Movie Review - fullhyd.com". Movies.fullhyderabad.com. Retrieved 2013-04-26. 
      13. ^ "Telugu Cinema - Review - Idiot - Ravi Teja, Rakshita - Poori Jagannath". Idlebrain.com. 2002-08-22. Retrieved 2013-04-26. 
      14. ^ "Telugu Cinema - Review - Khadgam - Krishna Vamsi - Ravi Teja, Srikanth, Prakash Raj, Sonali Bendre, Kim Sharma, Sangeeta". Idlebrain.com. Retrieved 2012-09-17. 
      15. ^ "Telugu Cinema - Review - Amma Nanna O Tamil Ammai - Ravi Teja, Asin - Puri Jagannath - Chakri". Idlebrain.com. 2003-04-19. Retrieved 2012-09-17. 
      16. ^ "Telugu Cinema - Review - Anveshana - Ravi Teja, Radhika varma - Sagar". Idlebrain.com. 2002-12-27. Retrieved 2013-04-26. 
      17. ^ "Telugu cinema review - Oka Raju Oka Rani - Ravi Teja, Namitha - Yogi - Chakri - Nivas - Ramoji Rao". Idlebrain.com. 2003-06-19. Retrieved 2013-04-26. 
      18. ^ "Telugu Cinema - Review - Ee Abbai Chala Manchodu - Ravi Teja, Veena, Sangeeta - Agastyan - MM Keeravani". Idlebrain.com. 2003-01-14. Retrieved 2013-04-26. 
      19. ^ "Telugu cinema Review - Venky - Ravi Teja, Sneha - Seenu Vytla - Raasi - Devi Sri Prasad". Idlebrain.com. 2004-03-26. Retrieved 2012-09-17. 
      20. ^ "Naa Autograph Review - Telugu Movie Review by B. Anuradha". Nowrunning.com. 2004-08-12. Retrieved 2012-09-17. 
      21. ^ "Vikramarkudu - Telugu cinema Review - Ravi Teja & Anushka". Idlebrain.com. 2006-06-23. Retrieved 2012-09-17. 
      22. ^ "'Khatarnak' title confirmed for Ravi Teja-Ileana film - Telugu Movie News". Indiaglitz.com. 2006-09-19. Retrieved 2013-04-26. 
      23. ^ "'Krishna' it is, for Ravi Teja - Telugu Movie News". Indiaglitz.com. 2007-12-19. Retrieved 2013-04-26. 
      24. ^ "'Baladoor' for release on August 14 - Telugu Movie News". Indiaglitz.com. 2008-08-13. Retrieved 2013-04-26. 
      25. ^ "Puri to direct Raviteja for 'Neninthe' - Telugu Movie News". Indiaglitz.com. 2007-10-12. Retrieved 2013-04-26. 
      26. ^ "Neninthe review - Telugu cinema Review - Ravi Teja & Siya". Idlebrain.com. 2008-12-18. Retrieved 2013-04-26. 
      27. ^ "Reviews : Movie Reviews : Shambo Shiva Shambo - Review". Telugucinema.com. Retrieved 2013-04-26. 
      28. ^ karthik (2011-03-04). "Mirapakaya completes 50days of run!". Telugu.way2movies.com. Retrieved 2013-04-26. 
      29. ^ "Dongala Muta : Much ado about nothing". 123telugu.com. Retrieved 18 March 2011. 
      30. ^ "Veera 50 days in 60 centers". Chitramala.com. Retrieved 7 July 2011 at 4:54 pm. 
      31. ^ "Tollywood Hits and Flops 2012". Telugu.way2movies.com. Retrieved 2013-04-26. 
      32. ^ "Box office report". 123telugu.com. 1998-01-01. Retrieved 2013-04-26. 
      33. ^ "Review : Daruvu – Routine fare from Ravi Teja". 123telugu.com. 2012-05-25. Retrieved 2013-04-26. 
      34. ^ palPalani (2012-08-17). "Flops continue to Haunt Ravi Teja". Southdreamz.com. Retrieved 2013-04-26. 
      35. ^ "Box office report". 123telugu.com. 1998-01-01. Retrieved 2013-04-26. 
      36. ^ "Sarocharu Movie Review | Sarocharu Review | Sarocharu Reviews & Ratings | Sarocharu telugu movie review | Sarocharu movie ratings | Raviteja's Sarocharu Review". 123telugu.com. 2012-12-21. Retrieved 2013-04-26. 
      37. ^ "Sarocharu Movie Review". Supergoodmovies.com. 2012-12-21. Retrieved 2013-04-26. 
      38. ^ http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/south-review-ravi-tejas-different-image-in-sarocharu/20121221.htm
      39. ^ "Ravi Teja’s Balupu in May?". 123telugu.com. Retrieved 30 Dec 2012. 
      40. ^ "Ravi Teja to play a cameo in Romeo". The Times of India. Retrieved 22 Oct 2012. 
      41. ^ http://www.mirchi9.com/movienews/ravi-tejas-new-movie-titled-jintatha-jita-jita/
      42. ^ http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/telugu/news-interviews/Ravi-Tejas-strict-warning-to-director/articleshow/18712830.cms
      43. ^ "Karunakaran’s touch for Raviteja’s career". telugumirchi.com. Retrieved 31 March 2013. 
      44. ^ "Ravi Teja to star in Akshay Kumar's Oh My God remake". Oneindia Entertainment. Retrieved 5 April 2013. 
      45. ^ "Ravi Teja- A Right Lesson For Every Star". greatandhra.com. Retrieved 27 Feb 2011. 
      46. ^ "Ravi Teja - Forbes India Magazine". Forbes India. Retrieved 23 May 2013. 
      47. ^ http://www.idlebrain.com/news/functions/nandi2002awards.html
      48. ^ http://www.idlebrain.com/news/2000march20/nandiawards2008.html
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      Last modified on 19 June 2013, at 05:04