Varun Tej is a Telugu actor from the Konidela ‘Mega’ family, known for choosing a wide range of genres, from the war drama Kanche to the romance Fidaa and the comedy F2. Standing tall at around 6 feet 3 inches, he is one of the most distinctive leading men in Telugu cinema.
The son of actor-producer Nagendra Babu and nephew of Chiranjeevi and Pawan Kalyan, he married actress Lavanya Tripathi in 2023. His latest film, Korean Kanakaraju, was released on 7 August 2026.
Varun Tej Quick Facts
| Full Name | Konidela Sai Varun Tej |
| Profession | Actor |
| Date of Birth | 19 January 1990 |
| Age | 36 years (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Hyderabad, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Years Active | 2000 (child artist); 2014–present |
| Lead Debut | Mukunda (2014) |
| Breakthrough | Fidaa (2017) |
| Known For | Kanche, Fidaa, Tholi Prema, F2, Gaddalakonda Ganesh |
| Parents | Father: Nagendra Babu; Mother: Padmaja |
| Uncles | Chiranjeevi, Pawan Kalyan |
| Spouse | Lavanya Tripathi (m. 2023) |
| Children | Son Vaayuv Tej (b. 2025) |
Varun Tej Career in Numbers
Here is a snapshot of Varun Tej’s career.
| Milestone | Details |
|---|---|
| Films as Lead | 15+ |
| Career Span | 2014–present |
| Biggest Hits | Fidaa, F2 |
| Latest Release | Korean Kanakaraju (7 August 2026) |
Early Life and Family
Varun Tej was born Konidela Sai Varun Tej on 19 January 1990 in Hyderabad to actor-producer Nagendra Babu and Padmaja. His sister Niharika Konidela is also an actress and producer.
He studied at St. Mary’s College, Hyderabad, and appeared as a child in his father’s film Hands Up (2000) before making his lead debut 14 years later.
Varun Tej Career Journey
Debut and Experiments (2014–2016)
Varun debuted opposite Pooja Hegde in Mukunda (2014). Krish’s Kanche (2015), a World War II drama, won critical praise and National Film Award recognition for the film. Loafer followed.
Romantic Hero and Hits (2017–2019)
Sekhar Kammula’s Fidaa (2017), opposite Sai Pallavi, grossed over ₹90 crore and established him as a leading actor. Tholi Prema (2018) was another hit, and in 2019 he scored with the comedy F2 and the gangster drama Gaddalakonda Ganesh.
Recent Work (2022–Present)
He played a boxer in Ghani (2022), returned for F3, and starred in the Telugu-Hindi Operation Valentine (2024) as an Indian Air Force officer and the period drama Matka (2024). His latest film, the comedy Korean Kanakaraju, released on 7 August 2026.
Varun Tej Movies: Complete Filmography
Below is Varun Tej’s filmography.
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Hands Up | Child artist | Screen debut |
| 2014 | Mukunda | Mukunda | Lead debut |
| 2015 | Kanche | Dhupati Haribabu | WWII drama; National Award-winning film |
| 2015 | Loafer | Raja | — |
| 2017 | Mister | Chai | — |
| 2017 | Fidaa | Varun | Breakthrough hit with Sai Pallavi |
| 2018 | Tholi Prema | Aditya | Romantic hit |
| 2018 | Antariksham 9000 KMPH | Dev | Space thriller |
| 2019 | F2: Fun and Frustration | Varun | Comedy blockbuster |
| 2019 | Gaddalakonda Ganesh | Ganesh | Gangster drama hit |
| 2022 | Ghani | Ghani | Boxing drama |
| 2022 | F3 | Varun | Sequel |
| 2023 | Gandeevadhari Arjuna | Arjun | Action thriller |
| 2024 | Operation Valentine | Wg Cdr Arjun Dev ‘Rudra’ | Telugu-Hindi bilingual |
| 2024 | Matka | Vasu | Period drama |
| 2026 | Korean Kanakaraju | Kanakaraju | Released 7 August 2026 |
Varun Tej Awards and Achievements
| Year | Award | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Kanche wins National Film Award | Best Feature Film in Telugu |
| Various | SIIMA and Filmfare nominations | For Fidaa and Gaddalakonda Ganesh |
Varun Tej Personal Life
Varun Tej met actress Lavanya Tripathi on the set of Mister (2017). They got engaged on 8 June 2023 and married on 1 November 2023 in Tuscany, Italy. Their son, Vaayuv Tej Konidela, was born on 9 September 2025.
He is part of the large Konidela film family, which includes Chiranjeevi, Pawan Kalyan, Ram Charan, Allu Arjun and Sai Durgha Tej.
Varun Tej Net Worth
Varun earns from acting fees and brand endorsements, and is part of the family’s film production ventures.
Estimated Net Worth: Approximately ₹50 crore.
Net worth figures are estimates based on publicly reported information, including entertainment industry reports and media estimates. These are not audited financial statements and may not account for liabilities, family holdings or changes in asset values.
Lesser-Known Facts About Varun Tej
- He is around 6 feet 3 inches tall, one of the tallest heroes in Telugu cinema.
- He first appeared as a child in his father’s Hands Up (2000).
- He met his wife Lavanya Tripathi on the set of Mister.
- He played a boxer in Ghani and an IAF officer in Operation Valentine.
- His wedding took place in Tuscany, Italy.
Legacy and Impact
Varun Tej has used his Mega family name to take risks on varied genres. Fidaa and F2 remain fan favourites, and his willingness to experiment keeps his career interesting.
Frequently Asked Questions About Varun Tej
How old is Varun Tej?
Varun Tej was born on 19 January 1990, making him 36 years old as of 2026.
Who is Varun Tej’s wife?
He is married to actress Lavanya Tripathi. They married on 1 November 2023 in Italy.
Who is Varun Tej’s father?
His father is actor-producer Nagendra Babu, brother of Chiranjeevi and Pawan Kalyan.
What is Varun Tej’s latest movie?
His latest film is Korean Kanakaraju, released on 7 August 2026.
What is Varun Tej’s net worth?
His net worth is estimated at approximately ₹50 crore, based on publicly reported information.
Final Summary
Varun Tej has built a career that mixes romance, comedy and bold experiments. As part of the Mega family’s new generation, he continues to carve his own path.