Nikhil Siddhartha (formerly credited as Nikhil Siddharth; born 1 June 1985) is an Indian actor who works in Telugu cinema. He played supporting roles in various films before being cast in Happy Days (2007) as one of the four male leads. The film was successful and became his breakthrough role. He later went onto play the lead in hit films such as Yuvatha (2008), Swamy Ra Ra (2013), Karthikeya (2014), Surya vs Surya (2015), Ekkadiki Pothavu Chinnavada (2016), Kesava (2017), Arjun Suravaram (2019), and Karthikeya 2 (2022).[2][3]
Nikhil Siddhartha | |
|---|---|
 Nikhil Siddhartha at an interview in 2017 | |
| Born | 1 June 1985[1] Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India |
| Alma mater | Muffakham Jah College of Engineering and Technology |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 2003–present |
| Spouse |
Pallavi Varma (m. 2020) |
| Children | 1 |
Early life
editNikhil Siddhartha was born in Begumpet, a neighbourhood of Hyderabad of present-day Telangana, India, into a Yadava family.[1] His father, Kavali Shyam Siddhartha, hails from Mahbubnagar in Telangana.[4] Nikhil completed his schooling from Hyderabad Public School, where he was classmates with Rana Daggubati, Ram Charan, and Sharwanand. He later graduated from Muffakham Jah College of Engineering and Technology.[5] His father suffered from a rare disease, corticobasal degeneration, for eight years before passing away on 28 April 2022.[6]
Career
editNikhil started out as an assistant director for the film Hyderabad Nawabs (2006). He played minor roles in various films before being cast in Happy Days (2007). Directed by Sekhar Kammula, Nikhil played one of the four leads in the film. He was paid a remuneration of ₹25,000 for his role in the film and he still keeps the check with him.[7] Happy Days was one among the few low-budget films made in 2007 that became one of the most successful movies in that year.[8]
His first film as a solo lead was Ankit, Pallavi & Friends (2008). He next appeared in films like Yuvatha (2008), Kalavar King (2010), Aalasyam Amrutam (2010), and Veedu Theda (2011).[9]
His 2013 film Swamy Ra Ra became a commercial success and marked a new phase in his career where he started picking distinct scripts rather than run-of-the-mill commercial films. His next film, titled Karthikeya (2014) was a critical and commercial success. Made on a budget of ₹4–6 crore, it collected more than ₹20 crore at the box office.[10]
In 2017, Nikhil once again teamed up with Swamy Ra Ra Director Sudheer Varma for Keshava which is a revenge drama where Nikhil plays a character with a rare congenital disorder Dextrocardia, who wants to avenge the death of his family. The film released on 19 May 2017 and received positive reviews for Nikhil's performance, musical score, visuals, and backdrop of the plot.[11][12]
His next film Kirrak Party (2018), a remake of Kannada Kirik Party (2016) opposite Samyuktha Hegde and Simran Pareenja, was a college campus film directed by Sharan Koppisetty. The film underperformed at the box office. The film's screenplay was written by Sudheer Varma and dialogues were penned by Chandoo Mondeti.[13][14][15][16] His next film Arjun Suravaram released in 2019 and was successful. With the 2022 film Karthikeya 2, Nikhil entered the 100 Crore Club.
Personal life
editNikhil married Pallavi Varma on 14 May 2020.[17] They have one child.[18][19]
Filmography
edit| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
- All films are in Telugu, unless otherwise noted.
| Year | Title | Role(s) | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Sambaram | Car driver | Uncredited | [20] |
| 2006 | Hyderabad Nawabs | College Boy | Deccani film Minor role; Also assistant director |
[21] |
| 2007 | Happy Days | Rajesh | Debut as lead actor | [22] |
| 2008 | Ankit, Pallavi & Friends | Ankit | [23] | |
| Yuvatha | Babu | [24] | ||
| 2010 | Om Shanti | Teja | [25] | |
| Kalavar King | Rajesh | [26] | ||
| Aalasyam Amrutam | Ram | [27] | ||
| 2011 | Veedu Theda | 'Katthi' Seenu | [28] | |
| 2012 | Disco | Disco | [29] | |
| 2013 | Swamy Ra Ra | Surya | [30] | |
| 2014 | Karthikeya | Karthik | [31] | |
| 2015 | Surya vs Surya | Surya | [32] | |
| Sankarabharanam | Gautham | [33] | ||
| 2016 | Ekkadiki Pothavu Chinnavada | Arjun | [34] | |
| 2017 | Keshava | Keshava | [35] | |
| 2018 | Kirrak Party | Krishna | [36] | |
| 2019 | Arjun Suravaram | Arjun Lenin Suravaram | [37] | |
| 2022 | Karthikeya 2 | Karthik | [38] | |
| 18 Pages | Siddhu | [39] | ||
| 2023 | Spy | Jai Vardhan | [40] | |
| 2024 | Appudo Ippudo Eppudo | Rishi | [41] | |
| 2025 | Swayambhu † | TBA | Filming | [42] |
| TBA | The India House † | TBA | Filming | [43] |
Accolades
edit| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 49th Cinegoers Awards | Youth Magical Star Of the Year | Keshava | Won | |
| 2023 | Iconic Gold Awards | Best Actor Popular | Karthikeya 2 | Won | [44] |
| 11th South Indian International Movie Awards | Best Actor – Telugu | Nominated | [45] | ||
| Sensation of the Year | Won | ||||
| Gama Awards | Best Actor | Won | |||
| OTT Play Awards | Trailblazer Of The Year | Won |
References
edit- ^ a b "Happy Birthday Nikhil Siddharth: 5 remarkable films of the actor you should watch". The Times of India. 1 June 2020. Archived from the original on 11 August 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
- ^ Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi (29 June 2023). "'Spy' movie review: A patchy attempt at a thriller with a story steeped in cliches". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 30 June 2023. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
- ^ "Will the release of the much-anticipated pan India movie 'Spy' be postponed due to reported differences between Nikhil Siddhartha and the producer?". The Times of India. 13 June 2023. Archived from the original on 24 June 2023. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
- ^ Hero Nikhil Exclusive Interview | Karthikeya 2 | Greatandhra. greatandbra. 30 July 2022. Event occurs at 32:33. Archived from the original on 16 August 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022 – via YouTube.
- ^ "I am a very conventional Telugu boy: Nikhil". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 12 April 2013. Retrieved 11 April 2013.
- ^ "Telugu Actor Nikhil Siddhartha is "Devastated" After Father's Death". News18. 29 April 2022. Archived from the original on 29 August 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
- ^ "Did you know how much Nikhil Siddhartha was paid for 'Happy Days'?". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 16 August 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
- ^ Kamal, S. S. (12 May 2014). "Happy Days in Hindi?". Bangalore Mirror. Archived from the original on 16 August 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
- ^ "Small films hold their own in Telugu film industry". @businessline. 30 December 2007. Archived from the original on 28 January 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
- ^ Kavirayani, Suresh (6 November 2014). "First time lucky". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 10 June 2022. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
Karthikeya is a phenomenal hit. Made on a budget of 4 crore.....
- ^ "Keshava Review {3/5}: The movie makes for a decent watch with commendable performances and gripping screenplay". The Times of India.
- ^ "Keshava review by Jeevi – Telugu cinema review – Nikhil Siddharth, Ritu Varma & Isha Koppikar". Idlebrain.com. Archived from the original on 16 August 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
- ^ "Nikhil's 'Kirrak Party' nears completion". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 18 May 2018. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
- ^ "Pre-look poster of Nikhil Siddharth's 'Kirik Party' remake out". The NEWS Minute. December 2017. Archived from the original on 5 December 2017. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
- ^ "Nikhil Siddharth's luck shines after the success of 'Karthikeya 2', offers from two Bollywood films". abcFRY.com. Archived from the original on 7 December 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
- ^ "Nikhil's Kirrak Party First Look Poster Talk". The Hans India. 2 December 2017. Archived from the original on 30 December 2017. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
- ^ "Another Lockdown Wedding: Telugu Actor Nikhil Siddhartha Marries Pallavi Sharma". NDTV.com. 14 May 2020. Archived from the original on 14 May 2020. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
- ^ Siddhartha, Nikhil (21 February 2024). "Nikhil Siddhartha on X: "Teary eyed and Emotional.. Life comes a full circle.. Just over a year ago I lost my father and today We Welcom..." Archived from the original on 23 February 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2024 – via X.
- ^ India Today (21 February 2024). "Nikhil Siddhartha and Pallavi Varma welcome baby boy. See first pic". Archived from the original on 31 March 2024. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
- ^ "Nikhil Siddhartha Best roles the actor has played in Tollywood – Nikhil Siddhartha: Best roles the actor has played in Tollywood". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 11 August 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
- ^ Hyderabad Nawabs | Hindi Full Movies | Aziz, Nasar, Masti Ali | Sri Balaji Video. Sri Balaj Movies. 8 March 2013. Event occurs at 1:46:15. Archived from the original on 7 April 2017. Retrieved 25 March 2017 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Happy Days – Nikhil Siddhartha: Best roles the actor has played in Tollywood". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 11 October 2020. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
- ^ "Review: Ankith Pallavi & Friends". www.rediff.com. Archived from the original on 29 November 2021. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
- ^ "Yuvatha review. Yuvatha Telugu movie review, story, rating". IndiaGlitz.com. Archived from the original on 24 September 2017. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
- ^ "Many stories, one truth". The Hindu. 10 December 2009. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 3 June 2023. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
- ^ "'Kalavar King' almost complete – Hollywood News". IndiaGlitz.com. 30 November 2009. Archived from the original on 10 July 2023. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
- ^ Rajamani, Radhika. "Alasyam Amrutham is interesting". Rediff. Archived from the original on 10 July 2023. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
- ^ "Veedu Theda Movie Review". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 10 July 2023. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
- ^ "Nikhil's 'Disco' starts shooting – Telugu News". IndiaGlitz.com. 24 June 2011. Archived from the original on 10 July 2023. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
- ^ "Review : Swamy Ra Ra – Decent Watch". 123telugu. 31 March 2013. Archived from the original on 29 April 2018. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
- ^ "Karthikeya". Sify. Archived from the original on 4 October 2018. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
- ^ "Review : Surya Vs Surya- Uncanny Romance". 123telugu. 6 March 2015. Archived from the original on 8 August 2020. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
- ^ "Shankarabharanam Sankarabharanam 2015 Review". Telugu360.com. 4 December 2015. Archived from the original on 20 February 2016. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
- ^ "Ekkadiki Pothavu Chinnavada Movie Review: An engaging thriller & an enthralling story. It's a honest narrative delivered well. 3.5/5 Star". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 1 August 2018. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
- ^ "Keshava movie review: This revenge drama thrills, but doesn't quite explore its potential – Entertainment News". Firstpost. 20 May 2017. Archived from the original on 5 April 2020. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
- ^ "Kirrak Party Movie Review". Samayam Telugu (in Telugu). Archived from the original on 11 August 2023. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
- ^ kavirayani, suresh (1 December 2019). "Arjun Suravaram movie review: A good remake!". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 18 September 2020. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
- ^ kavirayani, suresh (4 March 2020). "Karthikeya 2 launched". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 8 April 2020. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
- ^ "Nikhil Siddhartha's next titled 18 Pages". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 6 March 2020. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
- ^ "Spy Movie Review: This Nikhil Siddhartha film is a thriller riddled with loopholes". India Today. 29 June 2023. Archived from the original on 29 June 2023. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
- ^ Features, C. E. (6 October 2024). "Nikhil's Appudo Ippudo Eppudo gets a first look and a release window". Cinema Express. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
- ^ "Nikhil Siddhartha shares new look for action-packed epic 'Swayambhu'". The Times of India. 8 May 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
- ^ Bureau, The Hindu (2 July 2024). "'The India House': Ram Charan's maiden production, starring Nikhil Siddhartha, goes on floors". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
{{cite news}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ "Actor Nikhil Siddhartha bags best actor award for Karthikeya 2 at the Iconic Gold Awards". Telangana Today. Archived from the original on 19 October 2023. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
- ^ "SIIMA Awards 2023: RRR, 777 Charlie win big; Jr NTR, Yash named Best Actors; Sreeleela and Srinidhi Shetty are Best Actresses". Indian Express. Archived from the original on 18 September 2023. Retrieved 10 September 2023.