:Akhil Akkineni

{{Infobox person

| name = Akhil Akkineni

| image = Akkineni Akhil.jpg

| caption = Akkineni in 2017

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1994|04|08}}{{cite web|date=October 29, 2018|title=Tollywood's rising stars under 30|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/tollywoods-rising-stars-under-30/photostory/66416903.cms|access-date=August 14, 2020|website=The Times of India}}

| birth_place = San Jose, California, United States

| alma_mater = University of South Florida

| occupation = Actor

| years_active = 2015–present

| mother = Amala

| father = Nagarjuna

| relatives = Naga Chaitanya (half-brother)

|Spouse = Zainab Ravdjee (m,2025)

| family = See Daggubati–Akkineni family

}}

Akhil Akkineni (born April 8, 1994) works in Telugu cinema. Akhil was born in San Jose, California, United States and was raised in Hyderabad, Telangana, India.{{cite AV media|people=Vemuri Radhakrishna and Nagarjuna|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izfEJHzhLrk&t=31m55s|title= Akkineni Nagarjuna Open Heart With RK Full Episode {{!}} Nagarjuna Reveals About Remake Of Gundamma Katha|publisher=ABN Andhra Jyothi|date=July 24, 2019|lang=te|quote=Akhil was born in the U.S.}} Akhil debuted as a child artist in the film Sisindri (1994), for which he won a Filmfare Special Award. He is also the captain of Telugu Warriors cricket team that competes in Celebrity Cricket League.

Akhil made his debut as a lead actor with Akhil (2015), which won him the Filmfare Best Male Debut. He later went on to star in Hello (2017) and Mr. Majnu (2019). He achieved his commercial breakthrough with the romantic comedy Most Eligible Bachelor (2021). Akhil is the younger son of Indian actors Nagarjuna and Amala.

Early life

Akhil Akkineni was born on April 8, 1994, in San Jose, California, United States, to actors Nagarjuna and Amala. He is of Telugu descent from his father's side, and has Bengali and Irish ancestry from his mother's side.{{cite news|title=Amala Akkineni can't speak Bengali|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/Amala-Akkineni-cant-speak-Bengali/articleshow/9185371.cms|access-date=December 3, 2020|website=The Times of India|date=January 14, 2017}} He is the grandson of actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao, and half-brother of Naga Chaitanya.

Akkineni studied at Chaitanya Vidyalaya, later headed to Australia for two years. He returned to complete his studies at Oakridge International School, Hyderabad. He pursued acting as a career at age 16 and enrolled in an acting course at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in New York.{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/akhil-akkineni-theres-no-guarantee-for-success/article7846059.ece?secpage=true&secname=entertainment|title=Akhil Akkineni: There's no guarantee for success|date=November 15, 2015|author=Sangeetha Devi Dundoo|work=The Hindu }} He also holds a BBA from the University of South Florida.{{cite web |last1=Hooli |first1=Sekhar H.|title=VV Vinayak Treats Akhil Akkineni Like Prince on Sets of his Debut Movie? |url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/vv-vinayak-treats-akhil-akkineni-like-prince-sets-his-debut-movie-623706 |website=IB Times |date=February 17, 2015}}

Later in his teens, he pursued cricket and became a member in his father's Nag Kings team, in the 2010 celebrity Tollywood Trophy, which was a fundraiser for the Movie Artistes' Association. His match-winning half-century in the final against Venkatesh's Venky Warriors, saw him secure the man-of-the-match and man-of-the-series awards.{{Cite news|date=June 14, 2010|title=Nag Kings lift Tollywood trophy|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/Nag-Kings-lift-Tollywood-trophy/article16243642.ece|access-date=June 12, 2021|issn=0971-751X}} His performance saw him get called up to play for the Telugu Warriors in the inaugural Celebrity Cricket League (CCL) in 2011. Since then he has regularly participated in the CCL tournament, winning the 2016 edition as captain of his team.{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/akhil-to-play-in-ccl-matches-telugu-news-67289.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208203203/http://www.indiaglitz.com/akhil-to-play-in-ccl-matches-telugu-news-67289.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 8, 2015|title=Akhil to play in CCL matches|work=indiaglitz.com}}

Career

As an infant, Akhil debuted in his father's production, Shiva Nageswara Rao's comedy, Sisindri (1995), an Indian adaptation of Baby's Day Out (1994).{{Cite news|date=December 5, 2009|title=Mama's boy|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/Mamas-boy/article16369665.ece|issn=0971-751X}}

In 2014, Akhil appeared in a brief cameo appearance in the much loved family drama, Manam (2014), directed by Vikram Kumar. It featured three generations of actors from the Akkineni family. His cameo in the climax of the film was an instant rage with the audience.{{cite news |last1=Kamal |first1=S. S |title=Samantha's tweet has Nag fuming |url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/south-masala/samantha-ruth-prabhu-akhil-akkineni-nagarjuna-akkineni-nageswara-rao-naga-chaitanya/articleshow/26324058.cms |access-date=September 9, 2023 |work=Bangalore Mirror |date=November 25, 2013}} He described his shoot for the film alongside his grandfather, father and half-brother, as "nervous and exciting".{{cite web|url=http://timesofap.com/cinema/i-felt-very-nervous-that-day-akhil-akkineni.html|title=Akhil Akkineni Interview, Akhil Akkineni interview about manam, Akhil Akkineni interview on manam I felt very nervous that day: Akhil Akkineni|work=timesofap.com|access-date=November 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190905153158/http://timesofap.com/cinema/i-felt-very-nervous-that-day-akhil-akkineni.html|archive-date=September 5, 2019|url-status=dead}} Manam went on to become one of the most profitable Telugu films of 2014, whilst also considered to be one of the greatest Telugu films of all-time. Critics dubbed the film a "classic" en-route to it winning several awards, including Best Film at the Filmfare Awards.{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/small-was-big-for-southern-cinema-ians-special-2014-in-retrospect-news-others-omsmuojhgjhjd.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150210081634/http://www.sify.com/movies/small-was-big-for-southern-cinema-ians-special-2014-in-retrospect-news-others-omsmuojhgjhjd.html|title=Small was big for southern cinema (IANS Special: 2014 In Retrospect)|archive-date=February 10, 2015|url-status=dead|work=Sify}}{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Winners-62nd-Britannia-Filmfare-Awards-South/articleshow/47836755.cms?|title=Winners: 62nd Britannia Filmfare Awards (South)|work=The Times of India|date=January 16, 2017 }} He subsequently went on to make appearances in several commercials, notably for Karbonn, Mountain Dew, and Titan.{{cite news |last1=Rajamani |first1=Radhika |title=Nagarjuna's son Akhil Akkineni to make his debut |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/nagarjunas-son-akhil-akkineni-to-make-his-debut-south/20141225.htm |access-date=September 9, 2023 |work=Rediff |date=December 25, 2014 |language=en}}

Akkineni's debut film, as a full-fledged lead, was in Akhil (2015), directed by V. V. Vinayak. It was produced by Nithiin and his family.{{cite news |last1=Afreen |first1=Sama |title=I was mobbed by girls a few times: Akhil |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/I-was-mobbed-by-girls-a-few-times-Akhil/articleshow/46252275.cms |access-date=September 9, 2023 |work=The Times of India |date=January 15, 2017}} In order to prepare for the role, he enrolled in a stunt workshop with his personal trainer, Kicha, and attended workshops in Thailand, for two months. The film began production in December 2014 and featured him alongside fellow debutante, Sayesha Saigal.{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/nagarjunas-son-akhils-debut-film-launched/article6700454.ece|title=Nagarjuna's son Akhil's debut film launched|via=Inter Asian News Service|work=The Hindu|date=December 17, 2014 }} The film opened to a mixed response, and despite high expectations, it was a flop at the box-office. Following this, he went on a two-year hiatus.

In 2017, his second film, Hello (2017), directed by Vikram Kumar, was released along with Middle Class Abbayi and turned out to be a below-average grosser at the box-office, despite garnering generally positive reviews.{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movie-reviews/hello/movie-review/62207206.cms|title=Hello movie review|work=Times of India}} Following that, Akhil's third film was Mr. Majnu (2019), directed by Venky Atluri and co-starring Niddhi Agerwal.{{Cite web|last=kavirayani|first=suresh|date=January 26, 2019|title=Mr Majnu movie review: Akhil steals the show!|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/260119/mr-majnu-movie-review-akhil-steals-the-show.html|website=Deccan Chronicle}} Despite a great pre-release buzz and successful album, it opened to mixed reviews upon release. It eventually bombed commercially, becoming Akhil's third consecutive failure.

In October 2021, his fourth film, the rom com, Most Eligible Bachelor was released. It co-starred Pooja Hegde and was directed by Bommarillu and Parugu fame, Bhaskar. It was produced by Bunny Vas and Vasu Varma, under GA2.{{Cite web|date=August 28, 2021|title=Akhil Akkineni-Pooja Hegde's Most Eligible Bachelor to hit screens on October 8|url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/telugu/news/2021/aug/28/akhil-akkineni-pooja-hegdes-most-eligible-bachelor-to-hit-screens-on-october-8-26313.html|website=Cinema Express}} It became a hit and gave Akhil a long-awaited box office success.{{cite news|url= https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/most-eligible-bachelor-hits-half-century-at-tollywood-box-office/articleshow/87481126.cms|title=Most Eligible Bachelor hits half century at box office |work=Times of India|date=November 2, 2021 }}

Akhil's next film, Agent, directed by Surender Reddy and produced by Anil Sunkara, released on April 28, 2023. It was made on a huge budget of 80 crores.upon release, it received highly negative reviews from both the critics and audience, alike. It had an extremely low opening and was a commercial disaster.{{Cite web |title=Agent movie review and box office collection LIVE updates: Akhil Akkineni's film opens to disappointing box office results |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/agent-movie-review-box-office-collection-live-updates-agent-review-rating-sakshi-vaidya-akhil-akkineni-mammootty-dino-morea-urvashi-rautela-agent-review/liveblog/99829993.cms |access-date=April 29, 2023 |website=The Times of India}}

Personal life

In 2016, Akhil was engaged to Shriya Bhupal, grand-daughter of the business tycoon, G. V. Krishna Reddy. Their wedding was planned in 2017, however, it was later called-off, for undisclosed reasons.{{cite web|date=February 23, 2017|title=Akhil Akkineni-Shriya Bhupal wedding called off: Is this the reason?|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/akhil-akkineni-shriya-bhupal-wedding-called-off-962178-2017-02-23|access-date=February 1, 2021|website=India Today}}{{cite web|date=February 23, 2017|title=Real reason why Nagarjuna's son Akhil Akkineni, Shriya Bhupal called off wedding?|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/real-reason-why-nagarjuna-son-akhil-akkineni-shriya-bhupal-called-off-wedding-4539732/|access-date=July 7, 2020|website=The Indian Express}}

He engaged to Mumbai-based artist Zainab Ravdjee, the daughter of industrialist Zulfi Ravdjee, on November 26, 2024.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-26 |title=Akhil Akkineni gets engaged to Zainab Ravdjee, see photos |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/akhil-akkineni-gets-engaged-to-zainab-ravdjee-see-photos-9691599/ |access-date=2024-11-26 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2024-11-26 |title=Nagarjuna announces son Akhil Akkineni's engagement to Zainab: Couldn't be happier |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/nagarjuna-son-akhil-akkineni-zainab-ravdjee-engagement-2640469-2024-11-26 |access-date=2024-11-26 |website=India Today |language=en}}

Filmography

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" \|+List of films and roles
scope="col" \| Year ! scope="col" \| Title ! scope="col" \| Role(s) ! scope="col" class="unsortable" \| Notes ! scope="col" class="unsortable" \| {{Tooltip\|Ref.\|Reference(s)}}
1995 \|Sisindri \|Sisindri \|Child artist \|
2014 \|Manam \| rowspan="2" \|Akhil \|Cameo appearance \|{{Cite web\|date=May 25, 2014\|title=Nagarjuna's son Akhil Akkineni debuts in 'Manam'\|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/140525/entertainment-tollywood/article/akhil-akkineni-debuts-manam\|website=Deccan Chronicle}}
2015 \|Akhil \|Debut as Lead Actor \|
2016 \|Aatadukundam Raa \|Himself \|Special appearance in title song \|{{Cite web\|date=August 18, 2016\|title=Akhil Cameo Role Teaser – Aatadukundam Raa Movie – Sushanth, Sonam Bajwa\|url=https://www.ap7am.com/lv-231485-akhil-cameo-role-teaser-aatadukundam-raa-movie-sushanth-sonam-bajwa\|website=ap7am.com\|access-date=December 18, 2021\|archive-date=December 18, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211218051527/https://www.ap7am.com/lv-231485-akhil-cameo-role-teaser-aatadukundam-raa-movie-sushanth-sonam-bajwa\|url-status=dead}}
2017 \|Hello \| Avinash / Seenu \|Also singer for "Yevevo" \|{{Cite web\|date=December 23, 2017\|title=Hello movie review: Akhil Akkineni and Kalyani Priyadarshan starrer leave us with a heart full of good feelings\|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/hello-movie-review-akhil-akkineni-kalyani-priyadarshan-star-rating-4992679/\|website=The Indian Express}}
2019 \|Mr. Majnu \| Vikram "Vicky" Krishna \| \|
2021 \| Most Eligible Bachelor \| Harsha \| \|
2023 \| Agent \| Ramakrishna "Ricky" / "Wild Saala" \| \|
2026 \| {{Pending film\|Lenin}} \| {{TableTBA}} \| Pre-Production \|{{cite web \| url=https://www.news18.com/movies/on-akhil-akkinenis-birthday-tomorrow-makers-of-akhil-6-plan-grand-surprise-for-fans-aa-9290300.html \| title=On Akhil Akkineni's Birthday Tomorrow, Makers of Akhil 6 Plan Grand Surprise for Fans }}

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"

|+List of films and roles

scope="col" | Year

! scope="col" | Title

! scope="col" | Role(s)

! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes

! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Tooltip|Ref.|Reference(s)}}

1995

|Sisindri

|Sisindri

|Child artist

2014

|Manam

| rowspan="2" |Akhil

|Cameo appearance

|{{Cite web|date=May 25, 2014|title=Nagarjuna's son Akhil Akkineni debuts in 'Manam'|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/140525/entertainment-tollywood/article/akhil-akkineni-debuts-manam|website=Deccan Chronicle}}

2015

|Akhil

|Debut as Lead Actor

2016

|Aatadukundam Raa

|Himself

|Special appearance in title song

|{{Cite web|date=August 18, 2016|title=Akhil Cameo Role Teaser – Aatadukundam Raa Movie – Sushanth, Sonam Bajwa|url=https://www.ap7am.com/lv-231485-akhil-cameo-role-teaser-aatadukundam-raa-movie-sushanth-sonam-bajwa|website=ap7am.com|access-date=December 18, 2021|archive-date=December 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211218051527/https://www.ap7am.com/lv-231485-akhil-cameo-role-teaser-aatadukundam-raa-movie-sushanth-sonam-bajwa|url-status=dead}}

2017

|Hello

| Avinash / Seenu

|Also singer for "Yevevo"

|{{Cite web|date=December 23, 2017|title=Hello movie review: Akhil Akkineni and Kalyani Priyadarshan starrer leave us with a heart full of good feelings|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/hello-movie-review-akhil-akkineni-kalyani-priyadarshan-star-rating-4992679/|website=The Indian Express}}

2019

|Mr. Majnu

| Vikram "Vicky" Krishna

2021

| Most Eligible Bachelor

| Harsha

2023

| Agent

| Ramakrishna "Ricky" / "Wild Saala"

2026

| {{Pending film|Lenin}}

| {{TableTBA}}

| Pre-Production

|{{cite web | url=https://www.news18.com/movies/on-akhil-akkinenis-birthday-tomorrow-makers-of-akhil-6-plan-grand-surprise-for-fans-aa-9290300.html | title=On Akhil Akkineni's Birthday Tomorrow, Makers of Akhil 6 Plan Grand Surprise for Fans }}

Awards and nominations

{{Infobox actor awards

| name = Akhil Akkineni

| image =

| image_size =

| alt =

| caption =

| wins = 6

| nominations = 6

}}

class="wikitable sortable" \|+List of awards and nominations
Year ! Award ! Category ! Film ! Result ! scope="col" class="unsortable" \| {{Tooltip\|Ref.\|References}}
1995 \| 43rd Filmfare Awards South \| Special Award (Child actor) \| Sisindri \| {{won}} \|style="text-align:center;" \|{{Citation\|title=Sisindri Awards: List of Awards won by Telugu movie Sisindri\|newspaper=The Times of India \|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movie-details/sisindri/movieawards/61316219.cms\|access-date=February 12, 2021}}
rowspan="4" \| 2016 \| 63rd Filmfare Awards South \| Best Male Debut – South \| rowspan="4" \| Akhil \| {{won}} \|style="text-align:center;" \| {{cite web\|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/Winners-of-63rd-Britannia-Filmfare-Awards-South-2016-Telugu/articleshow/52814271.cms\|title=Winners of 63rd Britannia Filmfare Awards South 2016 (Telugu)\|website=The Times of India\|date=January 16, 2017\|access-date=December 25, 2019}}
5th South Indian International Movie Awards \| Best Male Debut – Telugu \| {{won}} \|style="text-align:center;" \|{{cite web\|title=SIIMA 2016 Telugu movie nominations revealed; 'Baahubali,' 'Srimanthudu' lead the list5\|website=International Business Times\|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/siima-2016-telugu-movie-nominations-revealed-baahubali-srimanthudu-lead-list-680040\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160526120833/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/siima-2016-telugu-movie-nominations-revealed-baahubali-srimanthudu-lead-list-680040\|url-status=dead\|archive-date=May 26, 2016}}
CineMAA Awards 2016 \| Best Male Debut \| {{won}} \|style="text-align:center;" \| {{cite web\|url=https://www.scooptimes.com/awards/list-winners-cinemaa-awards-2016-complete-details/4563\|title=List of Winners CineMAA Awards 2016 – Complete Details\|website=Scooptimes\|date=June 12, 2016\|access-date=November 19, 2019}}
14th Santosham Film Awards \| Best Debut Actor \| {{won}} \|style="text-align:center;" \| {{cite web\|url=https://www.scooptimes.com/awards/santosham-awards-2016-winners-list/5546\|title=List of Winners Santosham Awards 2016 – Complete Details\|website=Scooptimes\|date=August 16, 2016\|access-date=November 19, 2019}}
2019 \| TSR – TV9 National Film Awards \| Special Jury Award	Hello \| {{won}} \|style="text-align:center;" \|{{cite web\|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/balakrishna-nagarjuna-and-keerthy-suresh-among-tsr-tv9-film-award-winners-96844\|title=Balakrishna, Nagarjuna and Keerthy Suresh among TSR-TV9 film award winners\|website=The News Minute\|date=February 16, 2019\|access-date=December 17, 2019}}

class="wikitable sortable"

|+List of awards and nominations

Year

! Award

! Category

! Film

! Result

! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Tooltip|Ref.|References}}

1995

| 43rd Filmfare Awards South

| Special Award (Child actor)

| Sisindri

| {{won}}

|style="text-align:center;" |{{Citation|title=Sisindri Awards: List of Awards won by Telugu movie Sisindri|newspaper=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movie-details/sisindri/movieawards/61316219.cms|access-date=February 12, 2021}}

rowspan="4" | 2016

| 63rd Filmfare Awards South

| Best Male Debut – South

| rowspan="4" | Akhil

| {{won}}

|style="text-align:center;" | {{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/Winners-of-63rd-Britannia-Filmfare-Awards-South-2016-Telugu/articleshow/52814271.cms|title=Winners of 63rd Britannia Filmfare Awards South 2016 (Telugu)|website=The Times of India|date=January 16, 2017|access-date=December 25, 2019}}

5th South Indian International Movie Awards

| Best Male Debut – Telugu

| {{won}}

|style="text-align:center;" |{{cite web|title=SIIMA 2016 Telugu movie nominations revealed; 'Baahubali,' 'Srimanthudu' lead the list5|website=International Business Times|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/siima-2016-telugu-movie-nominations-revealed-baahubali-srimanthudu-lead-list-680040|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160526120833/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/siima-2016-telugu-movie-nominations-revealed-baahubali-srimanthudu-lead-list-680040|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 26, 2016}}

CineMAA Awards 2016

| Best Male Debut

| {{won}}

|style="text-align:center;" | {{cite web|url=https://www.scooptimes.com/awards/list-winners-cinemaa-awards-2016-complete-details/4563|title=List of Winners CineMAA Awards 2016 – Complete Details|website=Scooptimes|date=June 12, 2016|access-date=November 19, 2019}}

14th Santosham Film Awards

| Best Debut Actor

| {{won}}

|style="text-align:center;" | {{cite web|url=https://www.scooptimes.com/awards/santosham-awards-2016-winners-list/5546|title=List of Winners Santosham Awards 2016 – Complete Details|website=Scooptimes|date=August 16, 2016|access-date=November 19, 2019}}

2019

| TSR – TV9 National Film Awards

| Special Jury Award

Hello

| {{won}}

|style="text-align:center;" |{{cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/balakrishna-nagarjuna-and-keerthy-suresh-among-tsr-tv9-film-award-winners-96844|title=Balakrishna, Nagarjuna and Keerthy Suresh among TSR-TV9 film award winners|website=The News Minute|date=February 16, 2019|access-date=December 17, 2019}}