{{Short description|Indian film director}} {{Use British English|date=March 2016}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}} {{Infobox person | name = Chandoo Mondeti | image = Chandoo Mondeti at the 70th NFA.jpg | alt = Mondeti in 2024 | caption = Mondeti in 2024 | birth_name = | birth_place = Kovvuru, [[Andhra Pradesh]], India | occupation = {{hlist|Film director|Screenwriter}} | spouse = Sujatha | children = 2 }}
'''Chandoo Mondeti''' is an Indian film director and screenwriter who works in [[Telugu cinema]]. His successful films include ''[[Karthikeya (film)|Karthikeya]]'' (2014), ''[[Premam (2016 film)|Premam]]'' (2016), ''[[Karthikeya 2]]'' (2022) and ''[[Thandel]]'' (2025).<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://naradanews.com/2016/08/telugu-premam-naga-chaitanya-shruti-haasan-trolled-for-pathetic-acting |title=Telugu remake of Malayalam Movie Premam |access-date=11 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012161308/http://naradanews.com/2016/08/telugu-premam-naga-chaitanya-shruti-haasan-trolled-for-pathetic-acting/ |archive-date=12 October 2016 |url-status=usurped }}</ref> He is the recipient of a [[National Film Awards|National Film Award]] and a [[Nandi Awards|Nandi Award]].
== Early life and career == Chandoo Mondeti was born in Vemuluru near [[Kovvur]] in [[Andhra Pradesh]].
He debuted as a director with ''Karthikeya'' in 2014. It was a [[Mystery film|mystery]] [[thriller film]] starring [[Nikhil Siddhartha]] and [[Swathi Reddy]] in the lead roles. The film revolves showcases the life of a curious medico Karthik who investigates the mystery surrounding a closed [[Kartikeya|Karthikeya]] temple in the village of Subrahmanyapuram.<ref>{{cite web |date=5 December 2013 |title=Karthikeya will be a suspense drama |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/Karthikeya-will-be-a-suspense-drama/articleshow/26892348.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141029103113/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/Karthikeya-will-be-a-suspense-drama/articleshow/26892348.cms |archive-date=29 October 2014 |access-date=29 October 2014 |work=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=28 February 2020 |title=Karthikeya 2: Nikhil Siddharth's film to on floors from this date |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/karthikeya-2-nikhil-siddharths-film-to-on-floors-from-this-date/articleshow/74387364.cms |access-date=2022-08-20 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref> An incident which happened in [[Talupulamma Lova|Talupulamma Temple]] in [[Kakinada district]] of [[Andhra Pradesh]] inspired Chandoo Mondeti to pen the story of ''Karthikeya''. The film released on 24 October 2014 as a [[Diwali]] release to positive reviews from critics, and collected more than {{INR|20 [[crore]]}}, on a budget of {{INR|4–6 [[crore]]}}.<ref name="Oct 24">{{cite web |date=20 October 2014 |title='Karthikeya', 'Pooja', 'Happy New Year', 'Ishq Wala Love' Set for Big Clash at Box Office |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/karthikeya-pooja-happy-new-year-ishq-wala-love-set-big-clash-box-office-611840 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141029041109/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/karthikeya-pooja-happy-new-year-ishq-wala-love-set-big-clash-box-office-611840 |archive-date=29 October 2014 |access-date=29 October 2014 |publisher=International Business Times India}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=24 October 2014 |title='Karthikeya' Movie Review: Comic Quotient Thrills Viewers |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/karthikeya-movie-review-comic-quotient-thrills-viewers-612104 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141029104525/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/karthikeya-movie-review-comic-quotient-thrills-viewers-612104 |archive-date=29 October 2014 |access-date=29 October 2014 |publisher=International Business Times India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kavirayani |first=Suresh |date=2014-11-06 |title=First time lucky |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/141105/entertainment-tollywood/article/first-time-lucky |access-date=2022-07-14 |website=Deccan Chronicle |language=en |quote=Karthikeya is a phenomenal hit. Made on a budget of 4 crore.....}}</ref>
He then directed ''[[Premam (2016 film)|Premam]]'' (2016), a remake of 2015 Malayalam film of the [[Premam|same name]]. The film was commercially successful. Later he directed ''[[Savyasachi (2018 film)|Savyasachi]]'' (2018) starring [[Naga Chaitanya]] and [[Madhavan (actor)|Madhavan]] (in his Telugu debut) which did not perform well at the box office.
He later directed the [[crime drama]] film ''[[Bloody Mary (2022 film)|Bloody Mary]]'' (2022) stars [[Nivetha Pethuraj]], [[Brahmaji]], [[Ajay (actor)|Ajay]], and [[Kireeti Damaraju]]. Set in [[Visakhapatnam]], the plot follows three orphaned childhood friends—Mary, Raju, and Basha who find themselves embroiled in a murder case. The film was digitally released in April 2022 on the streaming platform [[Aha (streaming service)|Aha]].
His next project ''[[Karthikeya 2]],'' the sequel to ''Karthikeya'', was officially launched in March 2020 in [[Tirupati]] with a [[Puja (Hinduism)|puja]] ceremony.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 March 2020 |title=Sequel to Nikhil Siddhart's Karthikeya goes on floors |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/sequel-to-nikhil-siddharts-karthikeya-goes-on-floors/articleshow/74436823.cms |access-date=2022-04-12 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref> Filming took place in India, predominantly in [[Gujarat]] and [[Himachal Pradesh]], in addition to [[Spain]], [[Portugal]], and [[Greece]] in [[Europe]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-09-02 |title=Karthikeya 2 remains unaffected by COVID-19 |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/tollywood/020921/karthikeya-2-remains-unaffected-by-covid-19.html |access-date=2022-04-12 |website=Deccan Chronicle |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Nikhil Karthikeya 2 Shooting: నిఖిల్ 'కార్తికేయ 2' షూటింగ్పై మేజర్ అప్డేట్.. |url=https://telugu.news18.com/news/movies/here-the-major-and-interesting-update-on-nikhil-karthikeya-2-movie-shooting-pk-1245474.html |access-date=2022-04-12 |website=News18 Telugu |date=24 March 2022 |language=te}}</ref> It starred [[Nikhil Siddhartha]], [[Anupama Parameswaran]], and [[Anupam Kher]] in prominent roles. ''Karthikeya 2'' was released in August 2022 and received positive reviews from critics and became the highest-grossing film in Mondeti's career.<ref>{{Cite news |date=18 August 2022 |title=Nikhil Siddhartha's Karthikeya 2 to get showcased on OTT soon. Check out when, where |work=[[The Economic Times]] |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/buzz/nikhil-siddharthas-karthikeya-2-to-get-showcased-on-ott-soon-check-out-when-where/articleshow/93643872.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2022-08-21 |quote=The movie has received rave reviews from both audiences and critics. According to critics, the film has been described as an "engaging adventure" and an "adventure ride," which offers great content while being a visual treat.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Karthikeya 2 gives tough competition to Laal Singh Chaddha, Raksha Bandhan, shows 300% growth in North India |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-karthikeya-2-gives-tough-competition-to-laal-singh-chaddha-raksha-bandhan-shows-300-growth-in-north-india-2976906 |access-date=2022-08-16 |website=[[DNA India]] |language=en |quote=Karthikeya 2 has already won rave reviews, and now it's winning North India as well.}}</ref>
He has collaborated with Naga Chaitanya for the third time in ''[[Thandel]]'', with [[Sai Pallavi]] playing the lead actress. It was released in February 2025.
== Filmography == {| class="wikitable sortable" ! Year !! Title !Director !Writer!! Ref |- |2014 | ''[[Karthikeya (film)|Karthikeya]]'' |{{yes}} |{{yes}} | |- |2015 |''[[Surya vs Surya]]'' |{{no}} |{{partial|Dialogues}} | |- |2016 | ''[[Premam (2016 film)|Premam]]'' |{{yes}} |{{yes}} |<ref>{{Cite news|title='Premam' made me a responsible filmmaker: Chandoo Mondeti|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/premam-made-me-a-responsible-filmmaker-chandoo-mondeti-116100500274_1.html|date=2016-10-05|newspaper=Business Standard India|access-date=2019-12-27}}</ref> |- | rowspan="2" |2018 |''[[Kirrak Party]]'' |{{no}} |{{partial|Dialogues}} |<ref name=":0">{{cite web |date=2 December 2017 |title=Nikhil's Kirrak Party First Look Poster Talk |url=http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Cinema/2017-12-02/Nikhils-Kirrak-Party-First-Look-Poster-Talk/342676 |work=The Hans India}}</ref> |- |''[[Savyasachi (2018 film)|Savyasachi]]'' |{{yes}} |{{yes}} |<ref>{{Cite web|title='Savyasachi is shaping up so well': Director Chandoo Mondeti|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/savyasachi-shaping-so-well-director-chandoo-mondeti-81468|date=2018-05-17|website=The News Minute|access-date=2019-12-27}}</ref> |- | rowspan="2" |2022 |[[Bloody Mary (2022 film)|''Bloody Mary'']] |{{yes}} |{{yes}} | |- |''[[Karthikeya 2]]'' |{{yes}} |{{yes}} | |- |2025 |''[[Thandel]]'' |{{yes}} |{{yes}} |<ref>{{cite news |date=22 November 2023 |title=Naga Chaitanya's next with Chandoo Mondeti titled 'Thandel' |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/naga-chaitanyas-next-with-chandoo-mondeti-titled-thandel/article67561699.ece |newspaper=The Hindu}}</ref> |- |TBA |''Vayuputra'' |{{yes}} |{{yes}} |Animated Sci fi film |}
== Awards and nominations == {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" |+ ! scope="col" | Award ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Category ! scope="col" | Work ! scope="col" | Result ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |- ! scope="row" |[[Filmfare Awards South]] |[[62nd Filmfare Awards South|2015]] |[[Filmfare Award for Best Director – Telugu|Best Director – Telugu]] | rowspan="3" |''[[Karthikeya (film)|Karthikeya]]'' |{{nom}} | |- ! scope="row" |[[IIFA Utsavam]] |[[1st IIFA Utsavam|2016]] |[[IIFA Utsavam Award for Best Director – Telugu|Best Director – Telugu]] |{{nom}} | |- ! scope="row" |[[Nandi Awards]] |[[Nandi Awards of 2014|2014]] |[[Nandi Award for Best First Film of a Director|Best First Film of a Director]] |{{won}} |<ref>{{Cite web |last=India |first=The Hans |date=2017-11-14 |title=AP Government announces Nandi Awards |url=https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Andhra-Pradesh/2017-11-14/AP-Government-announces-Nandi-Awards/339340 |access-date=2025-02-10 |website=www.thehansindia.com |language=en}}</ref> |- ! scope="row" |[[National Film Awards]] |[[70th National Film Awards|2024]] |[[National Film Award for Best Telugu Feature Film|Best Telugu Feature Film]] |''[[Karthikeya 2]]'' |{{won}} |<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/70th-national-film-awards-full-winners-list-aataam-rishabh-shetty-kgf-2-9517350/|title=70th National Film Awards full winners list: Aattam wins Best Film, Rishab Shetty is Best Actor, KGF 2 and Kantara bag top honours|date=16 August 2024}}</ref> |- ! rowspan="3" scope="row" |[[South Indian International Movie Awards]] |[[4th South Indian International Movie Awards|2015]] |[[SIIMA Award for Best Debut Director – Telugu|Best Debut Director – Telugu]] |''[[Karthikeya (film)|Karthikeya]]'' |{{nom}} | |- | rowspan="2" |[[11th South Indian International Movie Awards|2023]] |[[SIIMA Award for Best Director – Telugu|Best Director – Telugu]] | rowspan="2" |''[[Karthikeya 2]]'' |{{nom}} | rowspan="2" |<ref>{{Cite news |title=SIIMA Awards 2023: RRR, 777 Charlie win big; Jr NTR, Yash named Best Actors; Sreeleela and Srinidhi Shetty are Best Actresses |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/siima-awards-2023-telugu-kannada-winners-list-jr-ntr-yash-rrr-kantara-8942103/lite/ |access-date=2023-09-15 |work=Indian Express}}</ref> |- |Sensation of the Year |{{won}} |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
== External links== * {{IMDb name|6649966}} {{Authority control}} {{Chandoo Mondeti}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mondeti, Chandoo}} [[Category:Telugu film directors]] [[Category:National Film Award (India) winners]] [[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]] [[Category:Film directors from Andhra Pradesh]] [[Category:Film people from West Godavari district]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Telugu screenwriters]] [[Category:Screenwriters from Andhra Pradesh]] [[Category:Nandi Award winners]] [[Category:21st-century Indian screenwriters]] [[Category:Indian film directors]] [[Category:Indian male screenwriters]] [[Category:South Indian International Movie Awards winners]] [[Category:Gaddar Telangana Film Awards winners]]