Kartikeya Gummakonda (born 21 September 1992) is an Indian actor who predominantly works in Telugu films. He made his acting debut in 2017 with Prematho Mee Karthik and is noted for his performance in the 2018 romantic action film RX100.
He then appeared in films such as Hippi, Guna 369, Nani's Gang Leader, Valimai, Bedurulanka 2012 and Bhaje Vaayu Vegam.
Kartikeya Gummakonda was born and brought up in Hyderabad. His parents own a school in the neighbourhood of Vanasthalipuram, namely Nagarjuna group of schools.[2] After graduating from National Institute of Technology, Warangal, he choose to pursue a career in acting.[3]
In August 2021, Gummakonda got engaged to his girlfriend Lohitha Reddy whom he met during college in 2010.[4] The couple got married on 21 November 2021.[5]
Gummakonda made his debut with Prematho Mee Karthik (2017), and then starred in a few films, none of which were theatrically released.[6] He became noted with RX 100 (2018) directed by Ajay Bhupathi.[7] The film was a commercial success which earned him recognition.[8][9][10] He then appeared in Hippi, Guna 369, Nani's Gang Leader and 90ML, with all four releasing in 2019.[11][12] Gummakonda worked out in order to achieve authenticity in the role of a kickboxer for Hippi.[10] Guna 369 is about a real incident that took place in Ongole.[13][14] In a review of the film by The Times of India, the reviewer wrote that "Karthikeya does his best to pour life into the titular character".[15]
Gummakonda made his first appearance as a villain opposite Nani in Gang Leader.[16][17] He landed the role after the film's director Vikram Kumar liked his acting in RX 100,[16] and he received positive reviews for his portrayal of Dev.[18] Despite enjoying the craze, his intent to evolve as a performer was clearly seen in his antagonist role from the film. Post this success, he signed on to play an interesting lead role in 90ML.[19][20] In a review of the film by The Times of India, the reviewer wrote that "Kartikeya gets a role that requires him to dance like a dream and fight like a pro for the most part and he aces it completely."[21] In 2021, he played Basti Balaraju in Chaavu Kaburu Challaga, a hearse driver who falls in love with a widow. Reviewing his performance, a critic from The Indian Express stated: "Kartikeya wins applauds for his depiction of Basthi Balaraju."[22]
In 2021, he starred in Raja Vikramarka where he plays the role of an NIA officer.[23] Gummakonda played the antagonist in the Ajith-starrer Valimai, which marks his debut in Tamil cinema.[24] He was next seen in the village dramedy Bedurulanka 2012, which released in the second half of 2023[25] and emerged as a commercially successful film.[26]
Bhaje Vaayu Vegam is his latest release which was produced by UV Creations and directed by debutant Prashanth Reddy.[27][28]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Prematho Mee Karthik | Karthik | [3] | |
| 2018 | RX 100 | Shiva | [9] | |
| 2019 | Hippi | Devdas Nadimpalli (Hippi) | [11] | |
| Guna 369 | Guna | [29] | ||
| Nani's Gang Leader | Dev | [17] | ||
| 90ML | Deva Das | [30] | ||
| 2021 | Chaavu Kaburu Challaga | Basthi Balaraju | [31] | |
| Raja Vikramarka | Raja Vikramarka | [23] | ||
| 2022 | Valimai | Naren / Wolfranga | Tamil debut | [32][33] |
| 2023 | Bedurulanka 2012 | Shiva Sankara Vara Prasad | [34] | |
| 2024 | Bhaje Vaayu Vegam | Goppula Venkata Ramana | [35] |
| Year | Title | Role | Network | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Bigg Boss 4 | Guest / Performer (Dance) | Star Maa | Episode 49 | [36] |
| Year | Award | Category | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Zee Cine Awards Telugu | Best Find of the Year - Male | RX 100 | Won |
| 2019 | 17th Santosham Film Awards | Best Actor | Won[37] | |
| 2021 | 9th South Indian International Movie Awards | Best Actor in a Negative Role – Telugu | Nani's Gang Leader | Won |
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