Priyadarshi Pulikonda is an Indian actor and comedian who works in Telugu films. He gained recognition for his role in Pelli Choopulu (2016). In addition to supporting roles, Priyadarshi played the lead in films such as Mallesham (2019), Mithai (2019), and Mail (2021). His performance in Mallesham (2019) appeared in the "100 Greatest Performances of the Decade" by Film Companion.[1]

Priyadarshi Pulikonda
Pulikonda in 2019
Born
Khammam, Andhra Pradesh, India (now in Telangana, India)
Alma materUniversity of Hyderabad
Occupations
  • Actor
  • comedian
Years active2016–⁠present
Spouse
Richa Sharma
(m. 2018)

Early life

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Priyadarshi was born in a Telugu family in Khammam, India. His father Pulikonda Subbachary is a professor and his mother's name is Jayalakshmi.[2] Priyadarshi's parents shifted to Hyderabad when he was 2 years old and they have been living there since then. They lived in the Old City until he was 10 and later moved to Gachibowli. They now live in Chandanagar. He did his Bachelor of Science in Statistics from MNR Degree & PG College and has a postgraduate degree in Mass Communication from the University of Hyderabad.[3]

Personal life

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Priyadarshi married writer Richa Sharma in 2018, who was his senior at the University of Hyderabad.[4]

Career

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Priyadarshi played the role of a terrorist in the 2016 film Terror which was met with critical acclaim. He gained significance for his portrayal of Kaushik in the successful 2016 romantic comedy Pelli Choopulu.[5] The film was praised for story line, performances and clean humour and Priyadarshi was praised for his speech in Telangana Baasha in the film.[6] He has acted in a web series Loser in which he played the role of a rifle shooter. His performance was appreciated by critics.[7]

In an interview with The Hindu, he said he was inspired to become an actor after watching Sagara Sangamam, calling it a "paradigm shift". He is a fan of actors Kamal Haasan and Chiranjeevi, and directors K. Balachander, K. Viswanath, and Singeetam Srinivasa Rao.[3]

Besides working in several short films, he has appeared in Jai Lava Kusa, which stars NTR Jr., Nivetha Thomas and Raashi Khanna. He also appeared in the Mahesh Babu starrer Spyder, directed by AR Murugadoss.

Filmography

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Telugu films

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Year Title Role Notes
2016 Terror Terrorist
Pelli Choopulu Kaushik
Bommala Ramaram Ramanna
2017 Ghazi Lt. Nilesh Mishra
Winner
Arjun Reddy Lawyer
Keshava Keshava's friend
Mister Doctor
Babu Baga Busy
Darsakudu
Yuddham Sharanam Alex
Jai Lava Kusa Obulesh ‘Obs’
Spyder Vinay
Vunnadhi Okate Zindagi Sathish
Egise Tarajuvvalu Somaraju
Middle Class Abbayi Darshi
Idi Maa Prema Katha
2018 Rangula Ratnam Vishnu's friend
Kanam Sub Inspector Agni
Tholi Prema Ravi
Manasuku Nachindi Sarath
Awe Nala
Nela Ticket Lawyer Yadagiri
W/O Ram Police Officer Chary
Padi Padi Leche Manasu Darshi
2019 F2 Darshi
Mr. Majnu Chitti
Mallesham Chintakindi Mallesham
1st Rank Raju Chintu
Mithai Jani
Brochevarevarura Rocky
Gang Leader Ramakrishna
Rama Chakkani Seetha Pushkar
2020 World Famous Lover Gautham's friend
Bombhaat Karun
Guvva Gorinka Raghuram
2021 Mail Hybath
Naandhi Radha Prakash [8]
Jathi Ratnalu Jogipet Sekhar
A1 Express Darshi
Ichata Vahanamulu Niluparadu Puli
WWW Ashraf
2022 Radhe Shyam Subbarao
Sita Ramam Journalist Marthandam
Oke Oka Jeevitham Chaitanya "Chaitu"
Gurthunda Seethakalam Dev's friend
2023 Balagam Saayilu
Mangalavaaram Ravi
Hi Nanna Justin [9]
2024 Thappinchuku Thiruguvadu Dhanyudu Sumathi
Om Bheem Bush Vinay Gummadi
Darling Raghava [10]
35 Chinna Katha Kaadu Chanakya Varma [11]
Sarangapani Jathakam Sarangapani [12]

Voice actor

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Year Title Actor Notes Ref.
2018 Gang RJ Balaji Telugu dubbed version [13]
2019 Frozen 2 Olaf [14]

Other language films

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Year Title Role Language
2017 The Ghazi Attack Lt. Nilesh Mishra Hindi
Take Off Indian in Iraq Malayalam
Spyder Madhu Tamil
2018 NOTA Wong
2022 Radhe Shyam Subbarao Hindi

Television

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Year Title Role Network Ref.
2020–present Loser Suri Yadav ZEE5 [15]
2020 Story Discussion DOP Avanti Cinema
2021 In the Name of God Aadi Aha
Unheard Badri Disney+ Hotstar [16]
2023–present Save the Tigers Ghanta Ravi

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2016 2nd IIFA Utsavam Best Performance In A Comic Role – Telugu Pelli Choopulu Won [17]
2017 7th South Indian International Movie Awards Best Comedian – Telugu Won [18]
2019 Radio City Cine Awards S2 Best Comedian Tholi Prema Won [19]
2020 Zee Cine Awards Telugu Best Comedian Brochevarevarura Won [20]
Critics' Choice Film Awards Best Actor – Male Mallesham Nominated [21]
2021 9th South Indian International Movie Awards Best Comedian – Telugu Brochevarevarura Nominated

References

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  1. ^ "100 Greatest Performances of the Decade". Film Companion. Archived from the original on 19 December 2019. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  2. ^ "KTR releases song penned by Priyadarshi's father". Times of India. 13 June 2020.
  3. ^ a b Chowdhary, Y. Sunita (1 August 2016). "More than just a funny guy". The Hindu. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  4. ^ "'It was difficult to get into an industry where nepotism rules': Priyadarshi to TNM". The News Minute. 9 July 2018.
  5. ^ "Pelli Choopulu Success for Pelli Choopulu Actor". The Hans India. 1 February 2018. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
  6. ^ "A Hyderabadi in first web thriller". Deccan Chronicle. 20 August 2015. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
  7. ^ Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi (16 May 2020). "'Loser' review: Priyadarshi, Annie and Kalpika walk away with the honours". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  8. ^ "'Naandhi' showcases a new Allari Naresh and glimpses of police brutality". The Hindu. 30 June 2020. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  9. ^ Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi (2 December 2023). "Nani interview on 'Hi Nanna': I did not want the success of 'Dasara' to dictate what I choose next". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  10. ^ "Darling glimpse: Priyadarshi plays a man exasperated with his marital life". Cinema Express. 20 April 2024. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  11. ^ "Nivetha Thomas starrer 35 completes censorship formalities". Cinema Express. 3 September 2024.
  12. ^ "First Single 'Sarango Saranga' From Actor Priyadarshi's Upcoming Movie 'Sarangapani Jathakam' Is Out". Times Now. 27 October 2024. Retrieved 15 December 2024.
  13. ^ "Gang Review". Indiaglitz.
  14. ^ "Priyadarshi to lend his voice for Olaf in the Telugu version of Frozen 2". The Times of India. 8 November 2019.
  15. ^ Parasuraman, Prathyush (18 May 2020). "Loser On Zee5 Review: Starring Priyadarshi, This Is A Sterile and Stretched Sports Drama Across Three Generations". Film Companion. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  16. ^ "Disney Plus Hotstar's Telugu series Unheard gets release date". The Indian Express. 6 September 2021.
  17. ^ "IIFA Utsavam: Complete winner's list". Indian Express. 30 March 2017.
  18. ^ "SIIMA Awards 2017 Telugu winners list: Jr NTR and Rakul Preet Singh declared best actors". International Business Times. 2 July 2017.
  19. ^ "City-Cine Awards - Radio City". Radio City. 2019. Archived from the original on 15 May 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  20. ^ "Complete winner list of Zee Cine awards Telugu 2020". 12 January 2020. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  21. ^ "Critics' Choice Film Awards 2020: Complete nominations list". The Indian Express. 11 March 2020. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
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