PERSONAL INFORMATION
Real name: Ghanta Naveen Babu [1] The Hindu
Profession(s): Actor, Film Producer, Film Director, and TV Presenter
Name Earned: Natural Star of Tollywood [2] Pinkvilla
Date of Birth: 24 February 1984 (Friday)
Age (as of 2025): 41 Years
Birthplace: Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh (now Telangana)
Zodiac sign: Pisces
Nationality: Indian
Hometown: Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh (now Telangana)
Marriage Date: 27 October 2012
Marriage Place: A resort in Rushikonda, Visakhapatnam
Age: 41 Years
EDUCATION
School: • St. Alphonsa’s High School, Hyderabad • Narayana Junior College, Sanjeeva Reddy Nagar, Hyderabad (intermediate)
College/University: Wesley Degree College, Secunderabad, Telangana
Educational Qualification: Graduation [3] Idle Brain
Education: Graduation
PHYSICAL STATISTICS
Height (approx.): in centimeters – 178 cm in meters – 1.78 m in feet & inches – 5’ 8”
Eye Colour: Dark Brown
Hair Colour: Black
FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS
Marital Status: Married
Affairs/Girlfriends: Anjana Yelavarthy (software engineer and blogger)
Wife/Spouse: Anjana Yelavarthy
Children: Son – Arjun Ghanta (born in 2017)
Parents: Father – Rambabu Ghanta (businessman) Mother – Vijayalakshmi Ghanta (pharmacist)
Siblings: Sister – Deepthi Ghanta (film producer)
Song: “Bhale Bhale Magadivoy” from the film ‘Maro Charitra’ (1978)
Wife: Anjana Yelavarthy
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Debut: Film (Telugu; As an actor): ‘Ashta Chamma’ (2008) as Rambabu/Mahesh Film (Tamil; As an actor): ‘Veppam’ (2011) as Karthik Film (Telugu; As a co-producer): ‘D for Dopidi’ (2013)
Awards: Vijay Awards • 2011: Best Debut Actor Tamil film Veppam South Indian International Movie Awards • 2012: Rising Male Hero for Telugu-Tamil film Eega • 2015: Best Actor for Telugu film Bhale Bhale Magadivoy Toronto After Dark • 2012: Best Hero for Telugu-Tamil film Eega Nandi Awards • 2013: Best Actor for Telugu film Yeto Vellipoyindhi Manasu • 2016: Special Jury Award for Telugu film Gentleman Zee Cinemalu Awards • 2017: Boy Next Door for Telugu film Krishna Gaadi Veera Prema Gaadha • 2017: Golden Star of the Year for Telugu film Krishna Gaadi Veera Prema Gaadha Filmfare Awards South • 2016: Critics Award for Best Actor for Telugu film Bhale Bhale Magadivoy (2015) TSR-TV9 National Film Awards • 2017: Special Jury Award for Telugu film Gentleman Zee Cine Awards Telugu • 2020: Favorite Actor of the Year– Male for Telugu film Jersey Critics Choice Film Awards • 2020: Best Actor- Male for Telugu film Jersey South Indian International Movie Awards • 2021: Best Actor (Critics) for Telugu film Jersey • 2021: Entertainer of the Year for Telugu films Jersey & Gang Leader
MONEY FACTOR
Salary/Income (approx.): Rs 14 crore per film (as of 2021) [7] The Hans India
OTHER INFORMATION
Film Director(s): Mani Ratnam and Kamal Haasan
Food: Idli Sambar, Khichdi
Actor(s): Chiranjeevi , Prabhas , Ravi Teja
Actress(es): Sridevi , Keerthy Suresh
Film(s): The Hangover (2009), Life of Pi (2012), Galipatam (2014)
Music Director: Ilaiyaraaja
Sport: Cricket
Colour: White
Fashion Brand: Zara
Travel Destination(s): Tirumala in India and Australia
INTERESTING BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Nani, a multifaceted Indian actor, film director, TV presenter, and producer, has carved a significant niche in the Telugu film industry. Born and raised in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh (now Telangana), he grew up with a vibrant passion for cinema that would ultimately steer his career. Nani’s journey into the world of films began in college, where his enthusiasm blossomed into a serious pursuit. He initially honed his skills by working as a clap director under his uncle, Anil, a film producer, focusing on various projects such as ‘Allari Bullodu’ (2005) and ‘Dhee’ (2007). In an insightful interview, Nani expressed his belief that creativity and inherent talent are foundational for a good director, and he reflected on the technical knowledge he gained from industry stalwarts like Bapu and K Raghavendra Rao. Despite his foundational work behind the scenes, Nani felt a strong calling towards acting, prompting him to adopt the nickname “Nani” as his screen name before stepping onto the silver screen.
During a pivotal moment in his career, Nani crossed paths with Indian film director B. V. Nandini Reddy, who, recognizing his talent, encouraged him to take a role as a radio jockey at World Space Satellite in Visakhapatnam. Embracing the opportunity, Nani hosted the popular radio show ‘Nonstop Nani’ for nearly a year, earning significant recognition along the way, including the coveted RJ of the Year award. His foray into radio not only showcased his charisma but also served as a springboard for his acting career. Nani’s transition into acting was marked by a television commercial that caught the attention of director Mohan Krishna Indraganti, leading to his debut film ‘Ashta Chamma’ in 2008. This marked the beginning of a promising trajectory as he subsequently appeared in a succession of films, including ‘Ride’ (2009) and ‘Bheemili Kabaddi Jattu’ (2010), which further solidified his presence in the industry.
Nani’s career took a significant turn with the release of ‘Eega’ (2012), a film that not only captured the hearts of audiences in Telugu and Tamil but also made waves in Hindi and Malayalam. His portrayal of a lead character in this fantasy thriller showcased his versatility and earned him immense popularity. Following this success, he starred in notable films like ‘Yeto Vellipoyindhi Manasu’ (2012), ‘Bhale Bhale Magadivoy’ (2015), and ‘Gentleman’ (2016). In addition to his cinematic achievements, Nani broadened his horizons by appearing as a guest contestant on the quiz show ‘Meelo Evaru Koteeswarudu’ in both its second and fourth seasons, as well as hosting the 2nd IIFA Utsavam in 2017 and Bigg Boss Telugu Season 2 in 2018.
The year 2019 marked another milestone in Nani’s career with his performance in ‘Jersey,’ a film that resonated deeply with audiences and further established him as a leading actor in the industry, culminating in a Hindi adaptation featuring Shahid Kapoor in 2022. His artistic contributions extend beyond acting; he also lent his voice to Simba in the Telugu version of Disney’s ‘The Lion King.’ Recognition for his work includes a place in Film Companion’s list of the “100 Greatest Performances of the Decade” for ‘Jersey’ in 2020. Nani’s filmography continued to expand with projects like ‘V’ (2020), ‘Truck Jagadish’ (2021), and ‘Ante Sundaraniki’ (2022), while his role as a producer in films like ‘HIT: The First Case’ and ‘Meet Cute’ reflects his multifaceted talent within the industry. Outside of his professional life, Nani is a dog lover who dotes on his pet, Subbu, and is known for his spirituality, often sharing glimpses of his religious practices on social media. A fan of the legendary Kamal Haasan, Nani’s life is enriched by friendships, red wine, and a few indulgences, including a reported smoking habit, making him a relatable figure to fans who admire both his career and personal life. His charisma and talent continue to shine, as evidenced by his features on various magazine covers, keeping him in the public eye as a beloved personality in the realm of Indian cinema.
—
Note: All biographical information compiled from publicly available sources.