Here are 5 roles which define Naveen Babu Ghanta aka Nani's journey in the film industry
“Natural Star” Nani as he is called by film lovers today, had a very humble start to his career in Telugu films. Having started off as a clap boy, and working as an assistant on film sets before a brief stint as a radio jockey, Naveen Babu Ghanta’s tryst with the big screen started off when he was first seen in the film Ashta Chamma that turned out to be a blockbuster when it released in 2008. He eventually had a rollercoaster ride, as success didn’t come easy to him.
Taking the road not taken, he was one of the first of his generation to try different kinds of roles, succeeding in reaching out to a wide variety of audiences. As he celebrates his 34th birthday today, we take you on five of his roles that defined his career as it is today.
While there are several other films in which he may have done a great job on many levels, these projects were milestones of sorts in general perspective:
1. Bheemili Kabaddi Jattu (2010)
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Even though his consequent release Ala Modalaindi became a blockbuster, Nani’s Bheemili Kabaddi Jattu can be called the first film that showed the audience what Nani is actually capable of after an impressive debut in Ashta Chamma. The sports film was the first to show off his strength as a versatile actor.
2. Bhale Bhale Mogadivoyi (2015)
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This film reinstated Nani’s stance as a versatile actor who can do anything. He was known to have the ability to churn comedy on screen but with Bhale Bhale Magadivoyi, he left everyone in awe, thereby even upping his value at the ticket windows and market of films. The comic caper directed by Maruthi and also starring Lavanya Tripathi today stands one of his most loved films with the reruns on TV always raking in good TRPs.
3. Ninnu Kori (2017)
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Nani’s choice of films and roles that are different is what has made him the star that he is today. And in that set of films stands Ninnu Kori which was a coming-of-age love story which didn’t necessarily have a stereotyped “happy ending” but told a tale of warmth. Co-starring Nivetha Thomas and Aadhi Pinisetty, it was quite a risk for Nani to take when he chose the Shiva Nirvana film that would see him move away from the typical story endings that are the norm for love stories.
4. Awe (2018)
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This film may not have made a high impact at the box office but it did show everyone what Nani had in mind for his future in cinema. Venturing into production with a film that was offbeat in every sense, so much so that it got extreme reviews – either positive or negative – Nani brought to light that he was keen to make new age cinema and that he wouldn’t mind going to the farthest level in terms of experimentation.
5. Bigg Boss Telugu (2018)
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It’s not often that Telugu stars take up television. More so, if another actor has already done the same. And in that case, when Nani had to fill the shoes of Season 1 host Jr NTR when he took up the role of the host for Bigg Boss Season 2, he was sure coming in with a lot of pressure. But despite all the criticism, not only did he emerge a reasonable host but also took one of the most talked about Bigg Boss seasons across India to its finale.
