Venkatesh Maha
Maha at C/o Kancharapalem success meet in 2018
Born
Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India[1]
Occupations
  • Director
  • Screenwriter
  • Actor
  • Critic
Years active2011–present
OrganizationMahayana Motion Pictures LLP

Venkatesh Maha is an Indian film director, screenwriter and actor who works in Telugu cinema. He's known for directing films such as C/o Kancharapalem (2018) and Uma Maheswara Ugra Roopasya (2020).

Career

Maha left his house at the age of sixteen and worked at various jobs. He worked as a spot boy for the film Teen Maar (2011) before he made his acting debut with Aakasame Haddu that same year. He made his directorial debut with the film C/o Kancharapalem (2018) which was shot in the suburb of the same name. The cast of the film comprised entirely newcomers.[1] Regarding his work in the film one critic noted that "Full marks to Venkatesh for not only coming up with a different kind of film but successfully carrying off the experiment of roping in locals for a film which is about themselves" whilst another stated that "If the director Venkatesh Maha is the brain behind this idea, he deserves credit yes".[2][3]

His next film was Uma Maheswara Ugra Roopasya (2020), the remake of the Malayalam film Maheshinte Prathikaaram.[4] The film featured Satyadev Kancharana in the lead role and was shot extensively in the Araku valley.[5] Regarding his casting in the film, a critic wrote that "And a big shout to Venkatesh Maha’s casting choices, which makes the movie more relatable".[6] In August 2021, Maha started Write Right Club for creative writers along with Puja Kolluru and other team members.[7]

Filmography

  • All films are in Telugu unless otherwise noted.
Key
† Denotes films that have not yet been released
Film and television
Year Title Director Writer Producer Notes Ref.
2018 C/o KancharapalemYesYesNo[1]
2020 Uma Maheswara Ugra RoopasyaYesYesNo[6]
2022 SwarnaNoNoYesShort film[8]
Modern Love HyderabadYesNoNoAmazon Prime Video series; episode 6[9]
2023Martin Luther KingNoYesYesalso actor
Acting roles
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2011Aakasame HadduNarayana's friend[1]
2012 Cameraman Gangatho Rambabu News audience member [10]
2014 Manam Un­known [10]
2020Uma Maheswara Ugra RoopasyaTea vendorCameo appearance[11]
2022 Stand Up Rahul Hriday Extended cameo [12]
2022Ante SundaranikiJoseph[13]
2023Anger TalesRangaDisney+ Hotstar series
UstaadSurya's fatherCameo[14]
Martin Luther King

Awards and nominations

Date Award Category Work Result Ref.
2019 Filmfare Awards South Best Director – TeluguC/o Kancharapalem Nominated [15]
2021 South Indian International Movie Awards Best Director – TeluguUma Maheswara Ugra Roopasya Nominated

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi (27 February 2018). "Venkatesh Maha bats for original, real-life inspired stories". The Hindu.
  2. ↑ Kavirayani, Suresh (9 September 2018). "C/o Kancharapalem movie review: This realistic film is worth a watch". Deccan Chronicle.
  3. ↑ "C/o Kancharapalem Movie Review {4/5}: Let these voices raise!". The Times of India.
  4. ↑ Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi (5 June 2020). "Venkatesh Maha to showcase another close-to-reality story with Satyadev starrer 'Uma Maheswara Ugra Roopasya'". The Hindu.
  5. ↑ Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi (13 July 2020). "Appu Prabhakar: Venkatesh Maha didn't want anything glossed over". The Hindu.
  6. 1 2 "Uma Maheswara Ugra Roopasya movie review: Satyadev Kancharana delivers the goods". 30 July 2020.
  7. ↑ Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi (13 August 2021). "Filmmakers Venkatesh Maha and Puja Kolluru on their plans for Write Right Club for creative writing in Hyderabad". The Hindu.
  8. ↑ "Telugu short film 'Swarna' at NYIFF". The Hindu. 26 April 2022.
  9. ↑ "Modern Love Hyderabad: Prime Video series promises delightful love tales, featuring Nithya Menen, Aadhi Pinisetty". OTT Play. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
  10. 1 2 "Maha Venkatesh on 'Care Of Kancharapalem', struggles & more - Telugu News". IndiaGlitz.com. 6 September 2018.
  11. ↑ "Uma Maheshwara Ugra Roopasya Movie Review: The sweetest tale of revenge you'll ever see" – via timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
  12. ↑ Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi (18 March 2022). "'Stand up Rahul' movie review: Let down by bland humour" – via www.thehindu.com.
  13. ↑ Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi (10 June 2022). "'Ante Sundaraniki' movie review: Vivek Athreya's humour-laced drama is powered effectively by Nani, Nazriya, Rohini and Naresh" – via www.thehindu.com.
  14. ↑ "'Ustaad' Telugu movie review: Debut director Phanideep, actors Simha Koduri and Kavya Kalyanram make an impression in this overdrawn yet warm coming-of-age story of a boy and his bike". 12 August 2023 – via www.thehindu.com.
  15. ↑ "Nominations for the 66th Filmfare Awards (South) 2019". Filmfare. Retrieved 20 December 2019.
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