{{Short description|Indian film director, screenwriter and actor}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}} {{Use Indian English|date=April 2023}} {{Infobox person | name = Venkatesh Maha | image = Venkatesh Maha.png | caption = Maha at ''C/o Kancharapalem'' success meet in 2018 | birth_name = <!--MUST A RELIABLE SOURCE PER WP:BLPPRIVACY--> | birth_place = Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India<ref name="hindu">{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/writer-director-venkatesh-maha-on-what-led-to-the-making-of-co-kancharapalem/article22867573.ece|title=Venkatesh Maha bats for original, real-life inspired stories|first=Sangeetha Devi|last=Dundoo|date=27 February 2018|work=The Hindu}}</ref> | occupation = {{Hlist|Director|Screenwriter|Actor|Critic}} | years_active = 2011{{ndash}}present | organization = Mahayana 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.<ref name="hindu"/> 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".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/090918/co-kancharapalem-movie-review-this-realistic-film-is-worth-a-watch.html|title=C/o Kancharapalem movie review: This realistic film is worth a watch|first=Suresh|last=Kavirayani|date=9 September 2018|website=Deccan Chronicle}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movie-reviews/c/o-kancharapalem/movie-review/65643361.cms|title=C/o Kancharapalem Movie Review {4/5}: Let these voices raise!|work=The Times of India}}</ref>
His next film was ''Uma Maheswara Ugra Roopasya'' (2020), the remake of the Malayalam film ''Maheshinte Prathikaaram''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/venkatesh-mahas-uma-maheswara-ugra-rupasya-starring-satayadev-heads-to-netflix/article31757242.ece|title=Venkatesh Maha to showcase another close-to-reality story with Satyadev starrer 'Uma Maheswara Ugra Roopasya'|first=Sangeetha Devi|last=Dundoo|date=5 June 2020|work=The Hindu}}</ref> The film featured Satyadev in the lead role and was shot extensively in the Araku valley.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/how-appu-prabhakar-and-venkatesh-maha-reimagined-maheshinte-prathikaram-as-uma-maheswara-ugra-roopasya/article32066978.ece|title=Appu Prabhakar: Venkatesh Maha didn't want anything glossed over|first=Sangeetha Devi|last=Dundoo|date=13 July 2020|work=The Hindu}}</ref> 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".<ref name="ieumur">{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/uma-maheswara-ugra-roopasya-movie-review-6531160/|title=Uma Maheswara Ugra Roopasya movie review: Satyadev Kancharana delivers the goods|date=30 July 2020}}</ref> In August 2021, Maha started Write Right Club for creative writers along with Puja Kolluru and other team members.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/filmmakers-venkatesh-maha-and-puja-kolluru-on-their-plans-for-write-right-club/article35892652.ece | title=Filmmakers Venkatesh Maha and Puja Kolluru on their plans for Write Right Club for creative writing in Hyderabad | newspaper=The Hindu | date=13 August 2021 | last1=Dundoo | first1=Sangeetha Devi }}</ref>
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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ramachandran |first=Naman |date=2025-08-18 |title='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) |url=https://variety.com/2025/film/news/satyadev-rao-bahadur-transformation-mahesh-babu-1236491701/ |access-date=2026-04-17 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=India |first=Team THR |date=2025-08-13 |title='Rao Bahadur' First Look: Satya Dev Stuns in Royal Avatar for Mahesh Babu's Latest Production |url=https://www.hollywoodreporterindia.com/features/insight/rao-bahadur-first-look-satya-dev-stuns-in-royal-avatar-for-mahesh-babus-latest-production |access-date=2026-04-17 |website=The Hollywood Reporter India |language=en}}</ref>
== Filmography == *''All films are in Telugu unless otherwise noted.'' {{Pending films key}}
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" |+ Film and television |- ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" |Director ! scope="col" |Writer ! scope="col" |Producer ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |- | 2018 | ''C/o Kancharapalem'' || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || ||<ref name="hindu" /> |- | 2020 |''Uma Maheswara Ugra Roopasya'' || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || ||<ref name="ieumur" /> |- | rowspan="2" | 2022 | ''Swarna'' || {{no}}|| {{no}}|| {{yes}} || Short film||<ref>{{cite web |title=Telugu short film 'Swarna' at NYIFF |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/telugu-short-film-swarna-at-new-york-indian-film-festival/article65356205.ece |website=The Hindu |date=26 April 2022}}</ref> |- |''Modern Love Hyderabad'' || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || Amazon Prime Video series; episode 6 ||<ref>{{cite web |title=Modern Love Hyderabad: Prime Video series promises delightful love tales, featuring Nithya Menen, Aadhi Pinisetty |url=https://www.ottplay.com/news/modern-love-hyderabad-prime-video-series-promises-delightful-love-tales-featuring-nithya-menen-aadhi-pinisetty/6594ae0d1a886 |website=OTT Play |access-date=28 April 2022}}</ref> |- | 2023 || ''Martin Luther King'' || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || Also actor || |- | 2024 || ''Ambajipeta Marriage Band'' || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || Co-producer || |- | 2026 || Rao Bahadur|| {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || || |}
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |+ Acting roles |- ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Role ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |- | 2011 || ''Aakasame Haddu'' || Narayana's friend || ||<ref name="hindu" /> |- |2012 |''Cameraman Gangatho Rambabu'' |News audience member | |<ref name="iginterview">{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/maha-venkatesh-on-care-of-kancharapalem-struggles-more-telugu-news-220493|title=Maha Venkatesh on 'Care Of Kancharapalem', struggles & more - Telugu News|date=6 September 2018|website=IndiaGlitz.com}}</ref> |- |2014 |''Manam'' |{{Unknown}} | |<ref name="iginterview" /> |- |2020 || ''Uma Maheswara Ugra Roopasya'' || Tea vendor ||Cameo appearance ||<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movie-reviews/uma-maheshwara-ugra-roopasya/movie-review/77251539.cms|title=Uma Maheshwara Ugra Roopasya Movie Review: The sweetest tale of revenge you'll ever see|newspaper=The Times of India }}</ref> |- |2022 |''Stand Up Rahul'' |Hriday |Extended cameo |<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/reviews/stand-up-rahul-movie-review-let-down-by-bland-humour/article65237147.ece|title='Stand up Rahul' movie review: Let down by bland humour|first=Sangeetha Devi|last=Dundoo|newspaper=The Hindu |date=18 March 2022|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref> |- |2022 || ''Ante Sundaraniki'' || Joseph || ||<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/reviews/ante-sundaraniki-movie-review-powered-by-real-flawed-and-fun-characters/article65513903.ece|title='Ante Sundaraniki' movie review: Vivek Athreya's humour-laced drama is powered effectively by Nani, Nazriya, Rohini and Naresh|first=Sangeetha Devi|last=Dundoo|newspaper=The Hindu |date=10 June 2022|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref> |- | rowspan="3" |2023 || ''Anger Tales'' || Ranga || Disney+ Hotstar series || |- |''Ustaad'' || Surya's father || Cameo || <ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/ustaad-telugu-movie-review/article67186989.ece|title='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|newspaper=The Hindu |date=12 August 2023|via=www.thehindu.com |last1=Dundoo |first1=Sangeetha Devi }}</ref> |- | ''Martin Luther King'' || Loki|| || |- |2025 || ''Mirai'' || Vikram ||||<ref>{{cite news |last1=BVS |first1=Prakash |title=Tollywood Directors Step into Spotlight, Surprise Fans with Acting in Mirai Entertainment https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/tollywood-directors-step-into-spotlight-surprise-fans-with-acting-in-mirai-1903624 |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/tollywood-directors-step-into-spotlight-surprise-fans-with-acting-in-mirai-1903624 |access-date=17 September 2025 |agency=Deccan Chronicle |publisher=Deccan Chronicle}}</ref> |- |}
== Awards and nominations == {| class="wikitable sortable" !Date !Award !Category !Work !Result ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Tooltip|Ref.|References}} |- |2019 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Director – Telugu || ''C/o Kancharapalem'' | {{nom}} | style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.filmfare.com/features/nominations-for-the-66th-filmfare-awards-south-2019_-37931.html|title=Nominations for the 66th Filmfare Awards (South) 2019|website=Filmfare|accessdate=20 December 2019}}</ref> |- |2021 | South Indian International Movie Awards | Best Director – Telugu || ''Uma Maheswara Ugra Roopasya'' | {{nom}} | |}
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == *{{IMDb name|9284362}} * [https://www.freepressjournal.in/regional-film-news/director-venkatesh-maha-abuses-yashs-kgf-character-rocky-angry-fans-demand-apology Director Venkatesh Maha abuses Yash's KGF character Rocky; angry fans demand apology] * [https://odishatv.in/news/entertainment/kgf-chapter-2-yash-s-rocky-bhai-character-abused-by-telugu-director-here-re-the-details-198651 KGF Chapter 2 & Yash’s ‘Rocky Bhai’ character abused by Telugu director, here’re the details]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Maha, Venkatesh}} Category:Indian film directors Category:Living people Category:Telugu film directors Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:People from Vijayawada Category:Film directors from Andhra Pradesh Category:21st-century Indian people Category:Tamil screenwriters Category:Gaddar Telangana Film Awards winners Category:Indian screenwriters Category:Telugu screenwriters Category:Telugu male actors Category:Indian male film actors Category:Male actors in Telugu cinema