Victory Venkatesh, the acclaimed Telugu actor, celebrates his 65th birthday today, December 13th, 2025. With a career spanning nearly four decades, Venkatesh has established himself as a prominent figure in Telugu cinema, known for his versatility and ability to portray a wide range of characters. Fondly called "Venky Mama" by fans, he has garnered numerous accolades, including six Filmfare Awards and seven Nandi Awards.
Born Daggubati Venkatesh on December 13, 1960, in Chennai (then Madras), he hails from a family deeply rooted in the film industry. His father, D. Ramanaidu, was a renowned film producer and former Member of Parliament. Venkatesh initially appeared as a child actor in the 1971 film Prem Nagar. After completing his MBA in the USA, he was offered the lead role in Kaliyuga Pandavulu (1986), marking his successful debut as a leading man and earning him the Nandi Award for Best Male Debut.
Venkatesh achieved stardom with a string of box-office hits in the late 1980s and early 1990s, including Srinivasa Kalyanam (1987), Brahma Puthrudu (1988), Prema (1989), and Bobbili Raja (1990). His performance in Swarnakamalam (1988) received critical acclaim, and the film was featured in the Indian panorama section of the 12th International Film Festival of India. In 1993, Venkatesh made his Bollywood debut with Anari, opposite Karisma Kapoor, which was a commercial success. The film Sankranthiki Vasthunam (2025) helped Venkatesh to become the 2nd senior hero to enter the 100 crore share club.
While Venkatesh has delivered several hits throughout his career, Sankranthiki Vasthunam, released in January 2025, stands out as his first film to achieve the 100 crore share mark. The movie, directed by Anil Ravipudi, received positive responses and became one of the highest-grossing Telugu films of the year.
Looking ahead, Venkatesh has several exciting projects lined up. Mega157 is slated for release in January 2026, coinciding with the Sankranti festive season. He is also collaborating with director Trivikram Srinivas for Aadarsha Kutumbam House No: 47 - AK47, expected to be a family drama with humor and social sensibility, scheduled for a Summer 2026 release. Srinidhi Shetty will be the female lead in the movie. Additionally, Venkatesh will reprise his role as Rambabu in Drushyam 3, the third installment of the acclaimed thriller series, set to release in October 2026. Furthermore, he will collaborate with Anil Ravipudi again for an untitled film planned for a Sankranti 2027 release.
Beyond his acting career, Venkatesh co-owns Suresh Productions, a major film production company in India. He is also known for his passion for cricket and has mentored the Telugu Warriors team in the Celebrity Cricket League. Despite his stardom, Venkatesh is known for maintaining a low profile and valuing his family's privacy. He is married to Neeraja and has four children: three daughters and one son.
