Nani

Nani Quick Facts

Nani Career in Numbers

Across more than fifteen years in Telugu cinema, Nani has assembled a career defined by steady growth, genre versatility, and a string of major awards. The table below summarizes his career at a glance.

Early Life and Family

Nani was born Ghanta Naveen Babu on February 24, 1984, in Hyderabad, into a Telugu Hindu family with roots in Challapalli, Andhra Pradesh. He completed his schooling at St. Alphonsa’s High School in Hyderabad, his intermediate education at Narayana Junior College in S.R. Nagar, and went on to study at Wesley Degree College in Secunderabad.

Before stepping in front of the camera, Nani worked behind the scenes as a “clap director” (clapper-loader/assistant) on films such as Radha Gopalam (2005), Allari Bullodu (2005), Astram (2006), and Dhee (2007). He also spent a year as a radio jockey on World Space Satellite Radio, hosting a show called “Non-Stop Nani,” before his big break as a lead actor arrived in 2008.

Nani Career Journey

Debut and Early Struggles (2008–2010)

Nani made his acting debut with the romantic comedy Ashta Chamma (2008), where critics praised his natural screen presence. He followed it with Ride (2009), a modest commercial success, and Snehituda… (2009), which failed to click with audiences. His fortunes improved with the remake Bheemili Kabaddi Jattu (2010), which was received as a pleasant surprise hit and helped establish him as a dependable young lead.

Breakthrough and Rising Stardom (2011–2014)

The year 2011 proved pivotal with Ala Modalaindi, a romantic comedy opposite Nithya Menen that became a blockbuster and showcased his effortlessly natural acting style, followed by the successful Pilla Zamindar. In 2012, Nani starred in S.S. Rajamouli’s fantasy adventure Eega, one of the highest-grossing Telugu films of the year, and won the Nandi Award for Best Actor for his emotionally layered performance in Yeto Vellipoyindhi Manasu. He also lent his voice as producer for D for Dopidi (2013). The period had its setbacks too, with Paisa (2014) turning out to be a box office disappointment.

Consolidation as a Leading Star (2015–2018)

After the setback of Janda Pai Kapiraju (2015), Nani bounced back strongly with Yevade Subramanyam and the blockbuster Bhale Bhale Magadivoy, which won him the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor – Telugu. The following years brought a remarkable run of hits — Krishna Gaadi Veera Prema Gaadha, Gentleman (which won a Nandi Special Jury Award), Majnu, Nenu Local, Ninnu Kori, and Middle Class Abbayi — several of which broke his own box office records in succession. In 2018, he launched his production house Wall Poster Cinema, backing the critically acclaimed fantasy drama Awe, alongside starring roles in Krishnarjuna Yudham and Devadas.

Critical Peak and New Territory (2019–2022)

Nani delivered what many consider the finest performance of his career in Jersey (2019), which won him the SIIMA Critics Award for Best Actor and international critical recognition. He made his OTT debut with the negative-shaded thriller V (2020) and continued to diversify with Tuck Jagadish (2021). His dual-role performance in the period drama Shyam Singha Roy (2021) won him another Filmfare Critics Award, while Ante Sundaraniki (2022) and the reveal of his role in HIT: The Second Case (2022) further expanded his range and his growing action-thriller franchise as producer and star.

Record-Breaking Success (2023–Present)

2023 marked a career milestone with Dasara, the highest-grossing film of his career, which won him the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu, followed by the successful family drama Hi Nanna. He continued his momentum with the action-drama Saripodhaa Sanivaaram (2024) and the franchise entry HIT: The Third Case (2025). Nani has an untitled project titled The Paradise announced for future release, keeping his slate active heading into 2026 and beyond.

Nani Movies: Complete Filmography

Nani has appeared in 37 Telugu films across his career so far, with 36 released and 1 upcoming project announced. The complete list, in chronological order, is below.

Nani Awards and Achievements

Nani Personal Life

Nani married Anjana Yelavarthy, a software engineer, on October 27, 2012, in Visakhapatnam, in a wedding that drew significant attention from fans and the media. The couple has kept much of their personal life away from the spotlight, focusing instead on maintaining a low-key family routine amid his demanding shooting schedules.

The couple welcomed their son, Arjun, in 2017. Nani has occasionally spoken about balancing fatherhood with his career, and his role as a father in Jersey (2019) and Hi Nanna (2023) drew comparisons to his real-life family experiences, adding emotional depth to those performances.

Nani Net Worth

As one of Telugu cinema’s highest-paid and most consistently bankable stars, Nani earns substantially from film fees, brand endorsements (including Otto, Sprite, Minute Maid, Close-Up, and Aashirvaad Masalas), and his stake in production banner Wall Poster Cinema.

Estimated Net Worth: Approximately ₹150–200 crore.

Net worth figures are estimates based on publicly reported information, such as media reports, published rich lists and election affidavits. They are not audited financial statements and may not account for liabilities, family holdings or changes in asset values.

Lesser-Known Facts About Nani

• Before becoming an actor, Nani worked as a “clap director” (clapper-loader) on films like Radha Gopalam and Dhee.
• He spent a year working as a radio jockey on World Space Satellite Radio, hosting a program called “Non-Stop Nani.”
• He voiced Simba in the Telugu-dubbed version of Disney’s The Lion King (2019).
• He hosted the reality show Bigg Boss Telugu season 2 in 2018.
• His performance in Jersey was listed among Film Companion’s “100 Greatest Performances of the Decade.”
• He donated ₹30 lakhs to a COVID-19 charity fund and has organized blood and plasma donation drives, including support for children with Thalassemia.

Legacy and Impact

Nani’s career stands as a testament to how a “content over glamour” philosophy can build enduring stardom in Telugu cinema. By repeatedly choosing scripts that challenge convention — from a giant fly’s revenge drama in Eega to the emotionally raw Jersey and the mythic-scale Dasara — he has helped redefine what a mainstream hero-led film can look like, inspiring a generation of actors and filmmakers who favor grounded, relatable storytelling over larger-than-life spectacle.

Frequently Asked Questions About Nani

What is Nani’s real name?

His real name is Ghanta Naveen Babu; he is known professionally by his screen name, Nani.

When and where was Nani born?

Nani was born on February 24, 1984, in Hyderabad, Telangana, India.

Who is Nani’s wife?

Nani is married to Anjana Yelavarthy, a software engineer, since October 27, 2012. The couple has one son, Arjun, born in 2017.

Which film gave Nani his big breakthrough?

Ala Modalaindi (2011) is widely seen as his career-defining breakthrough, followed by wider recognition through S.S. Rajamouli’s Eega (2012).

How many films has Nani acted in?

As of 2026, Nani has featured in 37 Telugu films, with 36 released and one, The Paradise, announced as upcoming.

What awards has Nani won?

Nani has won 2 Nandi Awards, 3 Filmfare Awards South, and a SIIMA Critics Award, among other honors, for films including Yeto Vellipoyindhi Manasu, Bhale Bhale Magadivoy, Gentleman, Jersey, Shyam Singha Roy, and Dasara.

Final Summary

Nani’s journey from a behind-the-scenes clap director to one of Telugu cinema’s most respected and versatile leading men reflects nearly two decades of consistent reinvention. With a filmography spanning light-hearted romantic comedies, high-concept fantasy, sports drama, and gritty action-thrillers, he has repeatedly proven his range while retaining the natural, relatable screen presence that earned him the nickname “Natural Star.”

With landmark performances in Eega, Jersey, Shyam Singha Roy, and Dasara, alongside a growing footprint as a producer through Wall Poster Cinema, Nani continues to shape the direction of Telugu cinema heading into 2026 and beyond, with new projects like The Paradise keeping fans eager for what comes next.