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).
Venkatesh Maha | |
|---|---|
 Maha at C/o Kancharapalem success meet in 2018 | |
| Born | |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2011–present |
| Organization | Mahayana Motion Pictures LLP |
Career
editMaha 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
edit- All films are in Telugu unless otherwise noted.
| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
| Year | Title | Director | Writer | Producer | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | C/o Kancharapalem | Yes | Yes | No | [1] | |
| 2020 | Uma Maheswara Ugra Roopasya | Yes | Yes | No | [6] | |
| 2022 | Swarna | No | No | Yes | Short film | [8] |
| Modern Love Hyderabad | Yes | No | No | Amazon Prime Video series; episode 6 | [9] | |
| 2023 | Martin Luther King | No | Yes | Yes | also actor | |
| 2024 | Ambajipeta Marriage Band | No | No | Yes | Co-produced along with Dheeraj Mogilineni and Bunny Vas |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Aakasame Haddu | Narayana's friend | [1] | |
| 2012 | Cameraman Gangatho Rambabu | News audience member | [10] | |
| 2014 | Manam | Unknown | [10] | |
| 2020 | Uma Maheswara Ugra Roopasya | Tea vendor | Cameo appearance | [11] |
| 2022 | Stand Up Rahul | Hriday | Extended cameo | [12] |
| 2022 | Ante Sundaraniki | Joseph | [13] | |
| 2023 | Anger Tales | Ranga | Disney+ Hotstar series | |
| Ustaad | Surya's father | Cameo | [14] | |
| Martin Luther King |
Awards and nominations
edit| Date | Award | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Director – Telugu | C/o Kancharapalem | Nominated | [15] |
| 2021 | South Indian International Movie Awards | Best Director – Telugu | Uma Maheswara Ugra Roopasya | Nominated |
References
edit- ^ a b c d Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi (27 February 2018). "Venkatesh Maha bats for original, real-life inspired stories". The Hindu.
- ^ Kavirayani, Suresh (9 September 2018). "C/o Kancharapalem movie review: This realistic film is worth a watch". Deccan Chronicle.
- ^ "C/o Kancharapalem Movie Review {4/5}: Let these voices raise!". The Times of India.
- ^ Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi (5 June 2020). "Venkatesh Maha to showcase another close-to-reality story with Satyadev starrer 'Uma Maheswara Ugra Roopasya'". The Hindu.
- ^ Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi (13 July 2020). "Appu Prabhakar: Venkatesh Maha didn't want anything glossed over". The Hindu.
- ^ a b "Uma Maheswara Ugra Roopasya movie review: Satyadev Kancharana delivers the goods". 30 July 2020.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Telugu short film 'Swarna' at NYIFF". The Hindu. 26 April 2022.
- ^ "Modern Love Hyderabad: Prime Video series promises delightful love tales, featuring Nithya Menen, Aadhi Pinisetty". OTT Play. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
- ^ a b "Maha Venkatesh on 'Care Of Kancharapalem', struggles & more - Telugu News". IndiaGlitz.com. 6 September 2018.
- ^ "Uma Maheshwara Ugra Roopasya Movie Review: The sweetest tale of revenge you'll ever see". The Times of India.
- ^ Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi (18 March 2022). "'Stand up Rahul' movie review: Let down by bland humour". The Hindu – via www.thehindu.com.
- ^ 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". The Hindu – via www.thehindu.com.
- ^ Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi (12 August 2023). "'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". The Hindu – via www.thehindu.com.
- ^ "Nominations for the 66th Filmfare Awards (South) 2019". Filmfare. Retrieved 20 December 2019.