Vijaya Krishna Naresh (born 20 January 1964), known
mononymously as Naresh, is an Indian actor, politician and social activist known for his works predominantly in
Telugu cinema
Telugu cinema, also known as Tollywood, is the segment of Indian cinema dedicated to the production of motion pictures in the Telugu language, widely spoken in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Telugu cinema is based in Film Nagar, ...
and television. He began acting as a child in 1970, and starred in around 200 films in a variety of roles as both lead and supporting actor. Some of the box office successes he appeared in were ''
Rendu Jella Sita'' (1983), ''
Sreevariki Prema Lekha'' (1984), ''
Sri Kanaka Mahalaxmi Recording Dance Troupe
''Sri Kanakamalaxmi Recording Dance Troupe'' is a 1988 Indian Telugu-language film directed by Vamsy, starring Naresh and Madhuri. It was produced by Sravanthi Ravi Kishore, under ''Sri Sravanthi Movies''. The chartbuster music was composed by ...
'' (1987), ''Bava Bava Panneeru'' (1989), ''Manasu Mamatha'' (1990) and ''
Jamba Lakidi Pamba Jamba Lakidi Pamba may refer to:
* Jamba Lakidi Pamba (1992 film)
''Jamba Lakidi Pamba'' is a 1992 Indian Telugu-language fantasy comedy film written and directed by E. V. V. Satyanarayana. The film stars Naresh and Aamani (in her Telugu film ...
'' (1993). He also received the title H.E. (his Excellency) and received a PhD in arts (his 2nd doctorate) from the United Nations ICDRHRP group.
Early and personal life
Naresh is son of actress
Vijaya Nirmala
Vijaya Nirmala (born Nidudavolu Nirmala; 20 February 1946 – 27 June 2019) was an Indian actress, director, and producer known for her works predominantly in Telugu cinema along with a few Malayalam and Tamil films. In a career spanning over s ...
and her first husband, K. S. Murthy.
He mentioned in a TV interview that his father died when he was young and that he doesn't remember much about him. Naresh was married thrice as of 2022. Naresh first married the daughter of senior dance master Srinu and the couple has a son named Naveen Vijaykrishna. Naresh divorced his first wife and married Rekha Supriya, the granddaughter of famous poet and film lyricist Devulapalli Krishna Shastri. and the couple also has a son named Teja. Naresh divorced his second wife. After crossing his 50s, he married to Ramya Raghupathi who is 20 years younger to him . Couple also has a son .
Career
Film
Naresh made his debut as a child actor in the film ''
Pandanti Kapuram'' (1972) as well as ''Kavitha'', and ''Santosh Sowbhagyam''. He later made his debut as a lead actor, at the age of 17, with the box office hit ''
Nalugu Stambhalata'' (1982), directed by Sri
Jandhyala
Jandhyala Subrahmanya Sastry (14 January 1951 – 19 June 2001), known mononymously by his surname Jandhyala, was an Indian film director, screenwriter, playwright, and actor known for his works in Telugu cinema and Telugu theatre. He is popu ...
and produced by Navata Krishnam Raju. He followed it up with ''Prema Sankellu'' (1982), which was directed by his mother
Vijaya Nirmala
Vijaya Nirmala (born Nidudavolu Nirmala; 20 February 1946 – 27 June 2019) was an Indian actress, director, and producer known for her works predominantly in Telugu cinema along with a few Malayalam and Tamil films. In a career spanning over s ...
. His other notable works include ''
Rendu Jella Sita'' (1983), ''
Sreevariki Prema Lekha'' (1984), ''
Sri Kanaka Mahalaxmi Recording Dance Troupe
''Sri Kanakamalaxmi Recording Dance Troupe'' is a 1988 Indian Telugu-language film directed by Vamsy, starring Naresh and Madhuri. It was produced by Sravanthi Ravi Kishore, under ''Sri Sravanthi Movies''. The chartbuster music was composed by ...
'' (1987), ''Bava Bava Panneeru'' (1989), ''Manasu Mamatha'' (1990), ''
Jamba Lakidi Pamba Jamba Lakidi Pamba may refer to:
* Jamba Lakidi Pamba (1992 film)
''Jamba Lakidi Pamba'' is a 1992 Indian Telugu-language fantasy comedy film written and directed by E. V. V. Satyanarayana. The film stars Naresh and Aamani (in her Telugu film ...
'' (1993), and
Gunasekhar
Gunasekar (born 2 June 1964) is an Indian film director and screenwriter known for his works in Telugu cinema. He has directed films in action, romance, mythological, and historical drama genres. He has won a National Film Award, multiple N ...
's
Sogasu Chuda Taramaa? (1995).
After a small hiatus, he started his second innings as a supporting actor with
Allari Ramudu
''Allari Ramudu'' ( English: ''Naughty Ramu'') is a 2002 Indian Telugu-language action comedy film which starred N. T. Rama Rao Jr, Nagma, Gajala and Aarthi Agarwal. B. Gopal directed this film. It was dubbed into Hindi as ''Main Hoon Khu ...
in 2002, and then went on to appear in many memorable films such as: ''
Dhanalakshmi, I Love You'' (2002), ''
Malliswari'' (2004), ''
Oka Oorilo'' (2005), ''
Mee Sreyobhilashi
''Mee Sreyobhilashi'' () is a 2007 Indian Telugu-language philosophical film, produced by Dr. Y. Sonia Reddy on VISU Films Pvt Ltd banner and directed by V. Eshwar Reddy. Dailouges by Ramesh cheppala Starring Rajendra Prasad, Naresh and musi ...
'' (2007), ''
Andari Bandhuvaya'' (2010), ''
100% Love'' (2011), ''
Chandamama Kathalu'' and ''
Drushyam'' (2014), ''
Bhale Bhale Magadivoy'' (2015), ''
Guntur Talkies'' (2016), ''
Sathamanam Bhavati
''Sathamanam Bhavati'' () is a 2017 Indian Telugu-language drama film written and directed by Satish Vegesna. The film is produced by Dil Raju under Sri Venkateswara Creations and stars Sharwanand, Anupama Parameswaran, Prakash Raj and Jayasu ...
'' (2017), ''
Rangasthalam'' (2018), and
''Sammohanam'' (2018).
Naresh served as the president of the Movie Artists Association.
Politics
Naresh is also an active politician, and a member of
Bharatiya Janata Party
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP; ; ) is a political party in India, and one of the two major List of political parties in India, Indian political parties alongside the Indian National Congress. Since 2014, it has been the List of ruling p ...
state leader.
He worked as a state youth wing president of AP, and state secretary BJP, state general secretary vice president of BJP and also contested from
Hindupur parliamentary seat. He also did a 125 km
Padayatra
A padayatra ( sa, पादयात्रा, pādayātrā, journey by foot, translit-std=ISO) is a journey undertaken by politicians or prominent citizens to interact more closely with different parts of society, educate about issues concerning ...
from
Icchampally Project to
Warangal
Warangal () is a city in the Indian state of Telangana and the district headquarters of Warangal district. It is the second largest city in Telangana with a population of 704,570 per 2011 Census of India, and spreading over an .
Warangal se ...
alongside
C. Vidyasagar Rao for linking of "Krishna and Godavari" waters and is active in the
Rayalaseema
Rayalaseema () is a geographic region in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It comprises eight south western districts of the State namely, Kurnool, Nandyal, Anantapur, Sri Sathya Sai, YSR, Annamayya, Tirupati and Chittoor districts ...
development. He is the founder president of KIV Kalakarula Ikya Vidika
an NGO a non-profit and non-governmental organization, which works to protect ancient arts and support artists.
Filmography
Film
* ''All films are in Telugu unless otherwise noted.''
Television
Accolades
Naresh received the state
Nandi Award for Best Actor
The Nandi Award for Best Actor was commissioned by the Nandi Awards committee in 1977. The winner is awarded a "Silver Nandi", "Sri Rajendra Prasad Gold Medal", cash award and a commendation certificate. Venkatesh has won the most Best Actor awa ...
for ''
Sogasu Chuda Taramaa?'' (1995), the
Nandi Special Jury Award for ''
Chitram Bhalare Vichitram
''Chitram! Bhalare Vichitram!!'' a 1991 Indian Telugu-language comedy film directed by P. N. Ramachandra Rao. It features an ensemble cast consisting of Naresh, Rajeevi, Subhalekha Sudhakar, Tulasi, Brahmanandam, Bindu Gosh, Maharshi Raghava, J ...
'' (1992), and the platinum award for best feature film, ''Parampara'' (2014). He has also received one Television
Nandi Award for his work in
Doordarshan
Doordarshan (abbreviated as DD; Hindi: , ) is an Indian public service broadcaster founded by the Government of India, owned by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and one of Prasar Bharati's two divisions. One of India's largest b ...
's ''Munimanikyam Gari Kantham Kadhalu''.
He starred in the films ''
Shrutilayalu'' (1987), that premiered at the
International Film Festival of India and ''Hindustan The Mother'' (2000), which premiered at the International Film Festival of India,
BFI London Film Festival
The BFI London Film Festival is an annual film festival founded in 1957 and held in the United Kingdom, running for two weeks in October with co-operation from the British Film Institute. It screens more than 300 films, documentaries and shor ...
and
Mumbai Film Festival. In 2007 he appeared in ''
Mee Sreyobhilashi
''Mee Sreyobhilashi'' () is a 2007 Indian Telugu-language philosophical film, produced by Dr. Y. Sonia Reddy on VISU Films Pvt Ltd banner and directed by V. Eshwar Reddy. Dailouges by Ramesh cheppala Starring Rajendra Prasad, Naresh and musi ...
'', which also premiered at the International Film Festival of India. In 2014, he acted in ''Parampara'', which won the Platinum Award for Best Feature at the International
Indonesian Movie Awards, and premiered at the
Jakarta International Film Festival.
Naresh received the ''Servant Of The Poor'' award on the occasion of the 4th national meet of CNRI held during 4–6 November 2009 at New Delhi, presented by the union Minister for Rural Development
C. P. Joshi
Dr. C. P. Joshi (born 29 July 1950) is an Indian politician. He was born in a Brahmin family in Nathdwara, Rajasthan and he is a member of the Indian National Congress. He is the current Speaker of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly. Previousl ...
.
In 2017, he spoke about displaying arts in
Indian films at the
University of Bedfordshire
The University of Bedfordshire is a public research university with campuses in Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire, England. The University has roots from 1882, however, it gained university status in 1993 as the University of Luton. The Universi ...
in the presence of the vice chancellor.
Awards
*
Nandi Award for Best Actor
The Nandi Award for Best Actor was commissioned by the Nandi Awards committee in 1977. The winner is awarded a "Silver Nandi", "Sri Rajendra Prasad Gold Medal", cash award and a commendation certificate. Venkatesh has won the most Best Actor awa ...
– ''
Sogasu Chuda Taramaa?'' (1994)
*
Nandi Special Jury Award – ''
Chitram Bhalare Vichitram
''Chitram! Bhalare Vichitram!!'' a 1991 Indian Telugu-language comedy film directed by P. N. Ramachandra Rao. It features an ensemble cast consisting of Naresh, Rajeevi, Subhalekha Sudhakar, Tulasi, Brahmanandam, Bindu Gosh, Maharshi Raghava, J ...
'' (1992)
*
Nandi Award for Best Character Actor - ''
Parampara'' (2013)
*
Nandi Award for Best Character Actor - ''
Sathamanam Bhavati
''Sathamanam Bhavati'' () is a 2017 Indian Telugu-language drama film written and directed by Satish Vegesna. The film is produced by Dil Raju under Sri Venkateswara Creations and stars Sharwanand, Anupama Parameswaran, Prakash Raj and Jayasu ...
'' (2017)
*Best Character Actor Award - ''
Sathamanam Bhavati
''Sathamanam Bhavati'' () is a 2017 Indian Telugu-language drama film written and directed by Satish Vegesna. The film is produced by Dil Raju under Sri Venkateswara Creations and stars Sharwanand, Anupama Parameswaran, Prakash Raj and Jayasu ...
'' (2017) at
17th Santosham Film Awards
* Nandi Best Actor Television – ''Munimanikyam Gari Kantham Kadhalu'' (1991)
* SVR Character Award -
Sathamanam Bhavati
''Sathamanam Bhavati'' () is a 2017 Indian Telugu-language drama film written and directed by Satish Vegesna. The film is produced by Dil Raju under Sri Venkateswara Creations and stars Sharwanand, Anupama Parameswaran, Prakash Raj and Jayasu ...
(2017)
* Received the title H.E. (his Excellency) and received a PhD in arts from the U.N. ICDRHRP
(2018)
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Naresh
Telugu male actors
Living people
Bharatiya Janata Party politicians from Andhra Pradesh
Telugu politicians
Male actors from Andhra Pradesh
Indian male comedians
Telugu comedians
Filmfare Awards South winners
Indian male film actors
Male actors in Hindi cinema
Male actors in Tamil cinema
Nandi Award winners
Indian actor-politicians
Ramakrishna Mission schools alumni
People from Anantapur district
Male actors in Telugu cinema
20th-century Indian male actors
Santosham Film Awards winners
1960 births