Nani is a popular Indian actor, producer and television presenter who works mainly in Telugu cinema. He is also known as the Natural Star of Tollywood for his natural and versatile performances.
He has won several awards and accolades for his acting skills, including two Nandi Awards, two Filmfare Awards and a Critics Choice Film Award.
He has also produced two films, D for Dopidi and Awe, under his banner Wall Poster Cinema.
Basic Information
| Full Name | Naveen Babu Ghanta |
| Profession | Actor |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Date of Birth | February 24, 1984 |
| Age | 39 years (As of 2023) |
| Gender | Male |
| Place of Birth | Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India |
| Zodiac sign | Pisces |
Physical Stats
| Height | 5 ft 8 in or 178 cm |
| Weight | 72 kg (159 lbs) |
| Body Measurements | Chest: 40 inches, Waist: 30 inches, Biceps: 12 inches |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Race (Ethnicity) | Asian (Indian) |
| Tattoos on body | None |
| Shoe Size | US 9 |
| Build | Athletic |
Past & Current Relationships:
| Father | Rambabu Ghanta |
| Mother | Vijayalakshmi Ghanta |
| Siblings | Deepthi Ganta (sister) |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse’s Name | Anjana Yelavarthy |
| Sexual Orientation | Straight |
Nani is married to Anjana Yelavarthy, whom he dated for five years before tying the knot in 2012. They have a son named Arjun, who was born in 2017. Nani and Anjana are a happy couple who often share their pictures and videos on social media.
Early Life & Education:
Nani was born as Ghanta Naveen Babu on 24 February 1984 in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh (now Telangana).
He did his schooling from St. Alphonsa’s High School and Narayana Junior College in Hyderabad.
He graduated from Wesley College in Secunderabad. He was interested in movies from a young age and was influenced by the works of Mani Ratnam and Kamal Haasan.
Career Information:
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years Active | 2008–present |
| Upcoming Films | Nani 30 (2023), Adade Sundara (2023), Dasara (2023) (Still in theaters) |
Nani started his career as an assistant director to filmmakers like Bapu and Srinu Vaitla. He also worked as a radio jockey for World Space Satellite for a year.
He made his acting debut with the Telugu film Ashta Chamma in 2008, which was a hit at the box office. He then appeared in films like Ride, Bheemili Kabaddi Jattu, Ala Modalaindi and Pilla Zamindar, which established him as a promising actor in Telugu cinema.
He rose to fame with his dual role in the bilingual film Eega (2012), directed by S.S. Rajamouli, which was a blockbuster and earned him critical acclaim.
He also made his Tamil debut with Veppam (2011), for which he won the Vijay Award for Best Debut Actor.
He then starred in films like Yeto Vellipoyindhi Manasu, Yevade Subramanyam, Bhale Bhale Magadivoy, Krishna Gaadi Veera Prema Gaadha, Gentleman, Majnu, Nenu Local, Ninnu Kori, Middle Class Abbayi and Devadas.
He received rave reviews for his performance as a cricketer in Jersey (2019), which was also a commercial success. He also hosted the second season of the reality show Bigg Boss Telugu in 2018.
His other recent films include Nani’s Gang Leader, Shyam Singha Roy and Ante Sundaraniki.
Net worth and Income:
| Net Worth | $8 Million or 134 Crore Indian rupees |
| Salary | Around 10-15 Crore rupees |
| Sources of Income | Acting, Brand Endorsements |
Nani is one of the highest-paid actors in Telugu cinema. He charges around Rs. 10 crore per film as of 2023. His net worth is estimated to be around Rs. 130 crores. He also earns from endorsements, production ventures and television shows.
Interesting facts and Trivia
- Nani’s real name is Naveen Babu Ghanta, and he changed his name to Nani as he thought it would be easier to remember.
- Before becoming an actor, Nani worked as a radio jockey and assistant director in films.
- Nani is a skilled cricketer and was even selected to play for the Andhra Pradesh state team, but he decided to pursue his career in the film industry.
- He made his debut as an actor in the Telugu film “Ashta Chamma” in 2008, and it was a critical and commercial success.
- Nani is known for his natural acting and has won several awards for his performances in films such as “Eega,” “Bhale Bhale Magadivoy,” and “Jersey.”
- He is a trained dancer and has showcased his dancing skills in several films.
- Nani is a vegetarian and advocates for animal rights.
- He is a big fan of legendary actor Kamal Haasan and has always looked up to him as an inspiration.
- Nani is a philanthropist and has been involved in various charitable works, including supporting the education of underprivileged children.
- He is also a brand ambassador for several companies, including KLM Fashion Mall, Gemini Cooking Oil, and the IPL team Sunrisers Hyderabad.
- He is named ‘Natural Star’ by his fans.
- He dated his wife Anjana for 5 years before marrying her.
