Latest news with #Akkineni
Time of India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Akhil Akkineni's wedding date revealed: Nagarjuna invites Telangana CM. Who is Zainab Ravdjee, the bride-to-be?
Nagarjuna Invites Telangana Chief Minister — santoshamsuresh (@santoshamsuresh) From Engagement to Wedding Bells Who Is Zainab Ravdjee? You Might Also Like: As Akhil Akkineni gets engaged to Zainab Ravdjee, his past romance and cancelled wedding reasons resurface A Family of Stature The Akkineni family is once again abuzz with wedding excitement as Akhil Akkineni , son of Telugu cinema legends Nagarjuna and Amala Akkineni, prepares to tie the knot with artist and perfumer Zainab Ravdjee on June 6, 2025. The star-studded event has caught public attention not only for its glamour but also for the intriguing personality of the a warm gesture highlighting the wedding's high-profile nature, Nagarjuna and Amala recently visited Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy at his Jubilee Hills residence, personally inviting him to the celebrations. Zainab's parents accompanied them, marking a moment of cordial family diplomacy that was captured in a cheerful photograph shared widely on social media. This invite signals the wedding's importance not just in film circles but also in political Akkineni and Zainab Ravdjee's engagement last November was a quietly celebrated affair within the family home in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad. Since then, anticipation has been building steadily. While fans eagerly await the details of the big day, rumors swirl around the wedding venue — possibly at the family-owned Annapurna Studios or an exotic destination in Rajasthan. However, the Akkineni family has remained tight-lipped, allowing curiosity to from just being Akhil's fiancée, Zainab Ravdjee is a celebrated artist known for her abstract and vibrant paintings. Born and raised in Hyderabad, she currently resides in Mumbai and has carved a niche for herself in the art world. Her journey extends beyond painting—she briefly ventured into acting, notably appearing in MF Hussain's Meenaxi: A Tale of Three also has a passion for perfumery, running a popular fragrance blog, Once Upon The Skin, where she shares her knowledge and love for scent creation. Her multicultural upbringing—living in Dubai, London, and Mumbai—adds layers to her creative vision and personal hails from a prominent business family. Her father, Zulfi Ravdjee, is a respected industrialist in the construction sector, and her brother Zain Ravdjee heads ZR Renewable Energy Pvt Ltd. This blend of art, entrepreneurship, and cosmopolitan lifestyle makes her a fascinating figure in her own right, bringing a unique charm to the Akkineni Akhil prepares for his next big film project Lenin, fans also eagerly anticipate the wedding that promises to be a grand celebration of love, blending the worlds of cinema, art, and culture. With close family, celebrities, and political dignitaries expected, the Akkineni-Ravdjee wedding is poised to be one of 2025's most talked-about events.
Pink Villa
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
‘Happy birthday my lady': Naga Chaitanya shares selfie with wife Sobhita Dhulipala as she turns 33
Sobhita Dhulipala celebrates her 33rd birthday on May 31, 2025. The actress, who has won hearts with her work in both South cinema and Bollywood, has been in the news since tying the knot with Naga Chaitanya. As she celebrates her first birthday post-marriage, the diva receives a special wish from her husband. Naga Chaitanya has a message for his lady Sobhita Dhulipala on her birthday Taking to Instagram, Chay shared an unseen picture with Sobhita, likely from one of their vacations together. The couple is seen leaning in for a selfie against a stunning backdrop of sand sculptures. Wishing his wife on her birthday, the Thandel actor wrote, 'Happy birthday my lady @sobhitad.' Chay and Sobhita were recently spotted at the Hyderabad airport together Just a few days ago, Sobhita Dhulipala and Naga Chaitanya were spotted together at Hyderabad airport. The duo, traveling together, served stunning fashion goals in cool outfits. While the Akkineni star wore a casual white t-shirt paired with a black jacket and trousers, the Night Manager actress looked stunning in a pink crop top paired with a beige shrug and denim. Sobhita Dhulipala's VIRAL pregnancy buzz Back in May 2025, Sobhita and Chaitanya jointly attended the WAVES Summit in Mumbai. The actress's choice of a glittery saree for the event made headlines, with many speculating that she might be expecting her first child with the Thandel actor. However, the viral rumor was quickly put to rest when a source close to the couple dismissed it as baseless, clarifying that she was wearing loose-fitting clothing, not maternity wear. Chay-Sobhita's work front On the work front, Sobhita Dhulipala was last seen in the popular Hindi thriller series The Night Manager, starring opposite Aditya Roy Kapur and Anil Kapoor. Naga Chaitanya, meanwhile, was last seen in Chandoo Mondeti's Thandel. He is currently preparing for his upcoming project, NC24, directed by Kartik Dandu.
Hans India
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
11 Years of Manam: Akkineni Family's Timeless Classic Still Touches Hearts
The Telugu film industry holds many gems, but few shine as brightly as Manam, the 2014 classic that brought together three generations of the Akkineni family in one heartwarming film. Released on May 23, 2014, Manam became a special milestone for fans and the Akkineni family alike. As the film completes 11 successful years, Akkineni's home banner Annapurna Studios shared a touching tribute on social media. 'We are celebrating 11 wonderful years of Manam. Manam is a film that will always hold a special place in everyone's hearts. #ANRLivesOn,' they posted, along with a beautiful anniversary poster. A Unique Family Legacy on Screen Directed by Vikram Kumar, Manam is a rare film that features legendary actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao, his son Nagarjuna, and grandson Naga Chaitanya, along with a brief appearance by Akhil Akkineni. This was the last film of Nageswara Rao, making it even more emotional and memorable. The film is widely loved for its touching story, clever screenplay, and emotional depth. It showed how love and destiny connect generations, and it deeply moved Telugu audiences everywhere. Music and Dialogues That Still Resonate The soulful music composed by Anoop Rubens and meaningful dialogues written by comedian Harshavardhan added even more beauty to the film. The songs remain popular to this day, and the film's emotional scenes still bring tears to many. In 2024, Manam was re-released in special shows across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. It received a strong response once again, proving its timeless appeal. A Personal Dream Fulfilled For Nagarjuna, Manam wasn't just another film—it was a dream come true. Acting alongside his legendary father and talented son was a moment of pride and joy. The movie also marked the beginning of the real-life love story between Naga Chaitanya and Samantha, which later led to their marriage. Box Office Journey Manam entered theatres with a break-even target of Rs. 18 crores, which it impressively crossed within the first week. The film went on to collect a net of Rs. 36.65 crores, making it a double blockbuster. According to trade estimates, it earned around Rs. 62 crores worldwide gross. A Film That Lives Forever Even after 11 years, Manam continues to be remembered as a masterpiece of Telugu cinema. It represents love, family, and the beauty of storytelling. For fans of the Akkineni family and Telugu film lovers in general, Manam is more than a movie — it's an emotion.
India Today
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
How actor Sumanth from Akkineni family carved his niche in Telugu films
Telugu cinema today is a powerhouse of reach, marketing, and visibility. But behind the glitter is a tightly guarded industry where legacy, family connections, and mass appeal often dictate an actor's trajectory. For someone like Sumanth, coming from the Akkineni family, the expectations were clear: become a bankable commercial star. But his journey has taken a more nuanced commercial debut and the pressure of legacyHis debut film 'Prema Katha' was intended to be a strong industry launch. It was backed by Ram Gopal Varma, the same filmmaker who redefined Telugu cinema with 'Shiva' for Nagarjuna and later made waves with 'Satya'. Naturally, for 'Prema Katha', expectations were high. The film did decently at the box office, but the weight of the legacy remained. Early outings like 'Yuvakudu' and 'Satyam' carried that burden. While 'Satyam' turned out to be a breakthrough, what followed were several attempts to crack the mass-hero space with films like 'Gowri', 'Dhana 51', and 'Mahanandi', all aimed at positioning him as a commercial lead.A shift towards stories with soulThe turning point came with director Sekhar Kammula's 'Godavari' in 2006. It wasn't just a hit; it reshaped how audiences viewed Sumanth. He wasn't a loud, larger-than-life figure. Instead, the role placed him in a space where performance was not about dominating the frame, but about drawing viewers in. Little did people anticipate that the gentler tone would go on to shape some of his most enduring 'Golconda High School', directed by Mohan Krishna Indraganti, he played a cricket coach with conviction and vulnerability, a rare blend in Telugu cinema's sports dramas. 'Malli Raava', directed by Gowtam Tinnanuri, offered a layered romantic narrative that explored love with a kind of patience not often seen in the charm of breezy storytellingSumanth does not appear in films frequently, but when he does, his work carries a natural ease. His choices are sincere, sometimes underwhelming at the box office, but often appreciated in retrospect. Whether it is 'Satyam's' emotionally conflicted lyricist, 'Godavari's' mellow lover and aspiring politician, or the restrained teacher in 'Anaganaga', his characters often bring a sense of stillness that stands out in a high-volume industry.'Anaganaga': Another step in his evolutionIn many ways, his recent film 'Anaganaga' feels like a summing-up of what Sumanth has grown into as an actor. Set against the backdrop of storytelling, education, and parenting, the film did not rely on conventional tropes. His role as a teacher navigating layered emotions and narratives had a quiet strength. It was the kind of performance that does not demand attention but gradually earns it. The film's understated tone aligned well with his sensibilities, making 'Anaganaga' feel less like a performance and more like an extension of himself. It reaffirmed that his strength lies not in dominating the screen, but in allowing the story to breathe around the poster: #Anaganaga is now streaming on @etvwin – and it's already touching hearts!Watch now: it. Cry with it. Fall in love with it. #Anaganaga - A Win Original FilmNow streaming with 4K and Dolby audio only on @etvwin@isumanth @rakeshreddy1224 ETV Win (@etvwin) May 14, 2025Backed by story, not stardomThis phase has not been without its missteps. Films like 'Boni', 'Naruda Donoruda', 'Subrahmanyapuram', and 'Kapatadhaari' did not quite land, either critically or commercially. However, many of these came from taking risks on unconventional scripts. That has been a recurring pattern with Sumanth - not chasing trends, but selecting projects that resonate with him. In an industry that often depends on formula, his choices stand out for being personal, even when they do not entirely succeed.
