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Venkatesh Maha

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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

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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 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]

He collaborated with Satyadev (actor) again in a Psychological drama film titled Rao Bahadur (Film) which is set to theatrically release worldwide in Summer 2026.[8][9]

Filmography

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  • 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 Kancharapalem Yes Yes No [1]
2020 Uma Maheswara Ugra Roopasya Yes Yes No [6]
2022 Swarna No No Yes Short film [10]
Modern Love Hyderabad Yes No No Amazon Prime Video series; episode 6 [11]
2023 Martin Luther King No Yes Yes Also actor
2024 Ambajipeta Marriage Band No No Yes Co-producer
2026 Rao Bahadur † Yes Yes No
Acting roles
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2011 Aakasame Haddu Narayana's friend [1]
2012 Cameraman Gangatho Rambabu News audience member [12]
2014 Manam Unknown [12]
2020 Uma Maheswara Ugra Roopasya Tea vendor Cameo appearance [13]
2022 Stand Up Rahul Hriday Extended cameo [14]
2022 Ante Sundaraniki Joseph [15]
2023 Anger Tales Ranga Disney+ Hotstar series
Ustaad Surya's father Cameo [16]
Martin Luther King Loki
2025 Mirai Vikram [17]

Awards and nominations

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Date Award Category Work Result Ref.
2019 Filmfare Awards South Best Director – Telugu C/o Kancharapalem Nominated [18]
2021 South Indian International Movie Awards Best Director – Telugu Uma Maheswara Ugra Roopasya Nominated

References

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  1. ^ a b c d 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. ^ a b "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. ^ Ramachandran, Naman (18 August 2025). "'Rao Bahadur' Star Satyadev on His Five-Hour Transformation and Global Ambitions for the Mahesh Babu-Backed Film: 'People Are Going to Get Taken Aback' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 17 April 2026.
  9. ^ India, Team THR (13 August 2025). "'Rao Bahadur' First Look: Satya Dev Stuns in Royal Avatar for Mahesh Babu's Latest Production". The Hollywood Reporter India. Retrieved 17 April 2026.
  10. ^ "Telugu short film 'Swarna' at NYIFF". The Hindu. 26 April 2022.
  11. ^ "Modern Love Hyderabad: Prime Video series promises delightful love tales, featuring Nithya Menen, Aadhi Pinisetty". OTT Play. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
  12. ^ a b "Maha Venkatesh on 'Care Of Kancharapalem', struggles & more - Telugu News". IndiaGlitz.com. 6 September 2018.
  13. ^ "Uma Maheshwara Ugra Roopasya Movie Review: The sweetest tale of revenge you'll ever see". The Times of India.
  14. ^ Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi (18 March 2022). "'Stand up Rahul' movie review: Let down by bland humour". The Hindu – via www.thehindu.com.
  15. ^ 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.
  16. ^ 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.
  17. ^ BVS, Prakash (14 September 2025). "Tollywood Directors Step into Spotlight, Surprise Fans with Acting in Mirai". Deccan Chronicle. Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
  18. ^ "Nominations for the 66th Filmfare Awards (South) 2019". Filmfare. Retrieved 20 December 2019.
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