Deverakonda Vijay Sai (born 9 May 1989), professionally known as Vijay Deverakonda, is an Indian actor and film producer who works predominantly in Telugu films. One of the highest-paid actors of Telugu cinema, he has featured in Forbes India's Celebrity 100 list since 2018 and has received several accolades, including a Filmfare Award, a Nandi Award, and a SIIMA Award.Deverakonda made his debut with Nuvvila (2011) and received praise for his role in the coming-of-age drama Yevade Subramanyam (2015). He rose to prominence as a leading film actor by starring in the blockbusters Pelli Choopulu (2016) and Arjun Reddy (2017), winning the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu for his performance as a volatile surgeon in the latter. He further established himself with commercially successful films such as Mahanati (2018), Geetha Govindam (2018), and Taxiwaala (2018).In 2019, Deverakonda launched his own production house King of the Hill Entertainment, which produced Meeku Maathrame Cheptha (2019) and Pushpaka Vimanam (2021). Beyond his film career, Deverakonda has designed his own fashion brand Rowdy Wear, which launched on Myntra in 2020, and is the co-owner of the volleyball team Hyderabad Black Hawks. Deverakonda is also a celebrity endorser for numerous products and supports various humanitarian causes.

Early life

Deverakonda Vijay Sai was born in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh (now Telangana) to Govardhan Rao and Madhavi. His family hails from Thummanpeta village of erstwhile Mahbubnagar district (now Nagarkurnool). His father was a television serial director who quit doing them due to lack of success.Vijay completed his schooling in Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School, Puttaparthi, till his 10th standard. His father was a television serial director who quit doing them due to lack of success.Vijay completed his schooling in Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School, Puttaparthi, till his 10th standard. He then studied Intermediate at the Little Flower Junior College, Hyderabad. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree, which he received from Badruka College of Commerce & Arts. His younger brother, Anand Devarakonda, is also an actor in Telugu cinema.

Career

Deverakonda made his debut with Ravi Babu-directed romantic comedy ''Nuvvila'' (2011). He later appeared in Sekhar Kammula's ''Life is Beautiful'' (2012) in a minor role. He was introduced to Nag Ashwin, who later cast him in a supporting role for the 2015 coming-of-age drama ''Yevade Subramanyam'' alongside actor Nani. The film was produced by the daughters of Ashwini Dutt, a producer in the Telugu film industry; Priyanka Dutt backed him and once shooting started, Swapna Dutt signed him onto her company. He starred in the masala film ''Dwaraka'' in 2017. He next starred in the romantic drama ''Arjun Reddy'' which received both praise and criticism for being bold and radical. However, his portrayal of a self-destructive, short-tempered, and alcoholic surgeon received widespread critical acclaim, and won him the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu. In 2019, ''Film Companion'' ranked Deverakonda's performance in ''Arjun Reddy'' in "100 Greatest Performances of the Decade"''.''Following ''Arjun Reddy'' he starred in ''Ye Mantram Vesave'', which was supposed to release in 2013 but released on 2018. He then starred in ''Mahanati'', a biographical film revolving around the life of actress Savitri. Deverakonda's next release in 2018 was Geetha Arts' romantic comedy ''Geetha Govindam'', in which he starred as an innocent and nervous college professor. The film received mixed-to-positive reviews upon release, and proved to be a major commercial success at the box office. Deverakonda his second nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu for his performance in the film. His next film was the Tamil political thriller ''NOTA'', directed by Anand Shankar, which performed poorly at the box office. His next project was UV Creations' supernatural comedy thriller ''Taxiwaala''.In 2019, Deverakonda was seen in Bharat Kamma's ''Dear Comrade'', a romantic action drama, alongside Rashmika Mandanna. He later signed ''Hero,'' directed by Anand Annamalai co-starring Malavika Mohanan. But the film was reportedly shelved after beginning production. In 2020, he acted in Kranthi Madhav's romantic drama ''World Famous Lover'' opposite Raashi Khanna, Catherine Tresa, Aishwarya Rajesh, and Izabelle Leite which opened to negative reviews. In 2022, he acted in the Hindi–Telugu bilingual film ''Liger'' which was directed by Puri Jagannadh and produced by Karan Johar which also opened to highly negative reviews. He then starred in ''Kushi'' which was directed by Shiva Nirvana and it opened to mixed reviews. The film was a box-office bomb.Deverakonda is set to star in the upcoming film titled ''Family Star''.

Early career and struggle (2011–2015)

Deverakonda made his debut with Ravi Babu-directed romantic comedy Nuvvila (2011). He later appeared in Sekhar Kammula's Life is Beautiful in a minor role. He was introduced to Nag Ashwin, who later cast him in a supporting role for the 2015 film Yevade Subramanyam alongside actor Nani. The film was produced by the daughters of Ashwini Dutt, a producer in the Telugu film industry; Priyanka Dutt backed him and once shooting started, and Swapna Dutt signed him onto her company.

Early career (2011–2015)

Deverakonda made his debut with Ravi Babu-directed romantic comedy ''Nuvvila'' (2011). He later appeared in Sekhar Kammula's ''Life is Beautiful'' (2012) in a minor role. He was introduced to Nag Ashwin, who later cast him in a supporting role for the 2015 coming-of-age drama ''Yevade Subramanyam'' alongside actor Nani. The film was produced by the daughters of Ashwini Dutt, a producer in the Telugu film industry; Priyanka Dutt backed him and once shooting started, Swapna Dutt signed him onto her company.

Breakthrough and success (2016–present)

He starred in the masala film ''Dwaraka'' in 2017. He next starred in the romantic drama ''Arjun Reddy'' which received both praise and criticism for being bold and radical. However, his portrayal of a self-destructive, short-tempered, and alcoholic surgeon received widespread critical acclaim, and won him the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu. In 2019, ''Film Companion'' ranked Deverakonda's performance in ''Arjun Reddy'' in "100 Greatest Performances of the Decade"''.''Following ''Arjun Reddy'' he starred in ''Ye Mantram Vesave'', which was supposed to release in 2013 but released on 2018. He then starred in ''Mahanati'', a biographical film revolving around the life of actress Savitri. Deverakonda's next release in 2018 was Geetha Arts' romantic comedy ''Geetha Govindam'', in which he starred as an innocent and nervous college professor. The film received mixed-to-positive reviews upon release, and proved to be a major commercial success at the box office. Deverakonda his second nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu for his performance in the film. His next film was the Tamil political thriller ''NOTA'', directed by Anand Shankar, which performed poorly at the box office. His next project was UV Creations' supernatural comedy thriller ''Taxiwaala''.In 2019, Deverakonda was seen in Bharat Kamma's ''Dear Comrade'', a romantic action drama, alongside Rashmika Mandanna. He later signed ''Hero,'' directed by Anand Annamalai co-starring Malavika Mohanan. But the film was reportedly shelved after beginning production. In 2020, he acted in Kranthi Madhav's romantic drama ''World Famous Lover'' opposite Raashi Khanna, Catherine Tresa, Aishwarya Rajesh, and Izabelle Leite which opened to negative reviews. In 2022, he acted in the Hindi–Telugu bilingual film ''Liger'' which was directed by Puri Jagannadh and produced by Karan Johar which also opened to highly negative reviews. He then starred in ''Kushi'' which was directed by Shiva Nirvana and it opened to mixed reviews..The film was a box-office bomb.Deverakonda is set to star in the upcoming film titled ''Family Star''.

Breakthrough and career fluctuations (2016–present)

He starred in the masala film ''Dwaraka'' in 2017. He next starred in the romantic drama ''Arjun Reddy'' which received both praise and criticism for being bold and radical. However, his portrayal of a self-destructive, short-tempered, and alcoholic surgeon received widespread critical acclaim, and won him the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu. In 2019, ''Film Companion'' ranked Deverakonda's performance in ''Arjun Reddy'' in "100 Greatest Performances of the Decade"''.''Following ''Arjun Reddy'' he starred in ''Ye Mantram Vesave'', which was supposed to release in 2013 but released on 2018. He then starred in ''Mahanati'', a biographical film revolving around the life of actress Savitri. Deverakonda's next release in 2018 was Geetha Arts' romantic comedy ''Geetha Govindam'', in which he starred as an innocent and nervous college professor. The film received mixed-to-positive reviews upon release, and proved to be a major commercial success at the box office. Deverakonda his second nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu for his performance in the film. His next film was the Tamil political thriller ''NOTA'', directed by Anand Shankar, which performed poorly at the box office. His next project was UV Creations' supernatural comedy thriller ''Taxiwaala''.In 2019, Deverakonda was seen in Bharat Kamma's ''Dear Comrade'', a romantic action drama, alongside Rashmika Mandanna. He later signed ''Hero,'' directed by Anand Annamalai co-starring Malavika Mohanan. But the film was reportedly shelved after beginning production. In 2020, he acted in Kranthi Madhav's romantic drama ''World Famous Lover'' opposite Raashi Khanna, Catherine Tresa, Aishwarya Rajesh, and Izabelle Leite which opened to negative reviews. In 2022, he acted in the Hindi–Telugu bilingual film ''Liger'' which was directed by Puri Jagannadh and produced by Karan Johar which also opened to highly negative reviews. He then starred in ''Kushi'' which was directed by Shiva Nirvana and it opened to mixed reviews. The film was a box-office bomb.Deverakonda is set to star in the upcoming film titled ''Family Star''.

Brands and endorsements

He was the brand ambassador of food delivery app Zomato. On 15 October 2018, Deverakonda launched his fashion brand Rowdy Wear. Later, in 2020 Rowdy Wear was launched on Myntra.

Other work

He was the brand ambassador of food delivery app Zomato. On 15 October 2018, Deverakonda launched his fashion brand ''Rowdy Wear''. Later, in 2020 ''Rowdy Wear'' was launched on Myntra.Deverakonda has donated to relief funds, including a donation to families of victims in the 2019 Pulwama attack.Deverakonda conceptualised and founded The Deverakonda Foundation'','' a nonprofit organisation in April 2019. In early 2020, he donated ₹24,000 through the Foundation to help Ganesh Ambari, a kickboxer who won the Vaco Indian Open International Kick-boxing Championship Title 2020.An initiative was started to battle COVID-19 pandemic crisis. The foundation has successfully aided 17,000 middle-class families with their groceries and basic essentials, spending ₹1.7 crores, with the help of his Middle Class Fund (MCF). More than 8,500 volunteers donated over ₹1.5 crores to join his community effort. Organisers decided to end the initiative on 2 June 2020. Devarkonda opened his first multiplex theatre in Mahbubnagar in 2021.

Other Works

Deverakonda donated ₹500,000 for Kerala flood relief fund.
Deverakonda donated ₹2,500,000 to Telangana CM's relief fund by auctioning his Filmfare award.
Deverakonda made his donation for Martyr's families of Pulwama attack and requested others to contribute something for the families of soldiers.
Deverakonda helped a kickboxer, Ganesh Ambari with ₹24,000 through Deverakonda Foundation. Ganesh later won the title of Vaco Indian Open International Kick-boxing Championship Title 2020.
Deverakonda donated ₹13,000,000 with an aim to provide financial relief to affected families during the corona crisis.
Deverakonda donated ₹1,000,000 for Hyderabad flood relief fund.

Personal life

Deverakonda says his family used to call him a rowdy every time he did something that was not approved by them. Over time, he started using this term for himself and his fans.Deverakonda is known to be bold in putting out his opinions on stage or interviews and has gathered a lot of popularity(some of which was also negative in nature). His speech at Arjun Reddy audio launch in 2017, where he publicly teared into Censor board and was a rage among youth and shot him to fame overnight. He made the hundreds of youth chant the cuss words that were censored in the movie, and asked them to do the same in the theatres when his voice is muted.