Kathi Mahesh
{{Short description|Indian film critic and actor (died 2021)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2018}}
{{Family name hatnote|Kathi|lang=Telugu}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Kathi Mahesh
| image = Katti mahesh.jpg
| caption = Mahesh in 2021
| birth_name = Kathi Mahesh Kumar
| birth_date = {{birth based on age as of date|43|2021|7|10|noage=1}}
| birth_place = Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh, India
| death_date = {{death date and given age|2021|7|10|43|df=y}}
| death_place = Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| nationality =
| alma_mater = Hyderabad Central University
| occupation = {{hlist|Critic|actor|writer|director}}
| style = Parallel cinema
| children = 1
}}
Kathi Mahesh Kumar (1977/78 – 10 July 2021){{Cite news|last=Chowdhary|first=Y. Sunita|date=28 January 2012|title=Vying for alternate existence|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/Vying-for-alternate-existence/article13384726.ece|access-date=27 June 2021|issn=0971-751X}}{{Cite news|last1=Sudhir|first1=Uma|last2=Majumder|first2=Soumyajit|date=10 July 2018|title=Film Critic Banned From Hyderabad For Comments On Lord Ram, Sita|work=NDTV|url=https://www.ndtv.com/hyderabad-news/kathi-mahesh-film-critic-banned-from-hyderabad-for-comments-on-lord-ram-sita-1881053|access-date=27 June 2021}}{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=10 July 2021|title=Film critic Kathi Mahesh passes away|url=https://telanganatoday.com/film-critic-kathi-mahesh-passes-away|access-date=10 July 2021|website=Telangana Today|language=en-US}} was an Indian film critic{{Cite news|title=RIP Kathi Mahesh: Actor-filmmaker-critic succumbs to injuries|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/rip-kathi-mahesh-actor-filmmaker-critic-succumbs-to-injuries/articleshow/84295429.cms|access-date=10 July 2021|website=The Times of India|date=10 July 2021 |language=en}} and actor working in Telugu cinema. He appeared on the Telugu reality TV show Bigg Boss.
Personal life
Kathi Mahesh Kumar hailed from Yellamanda, a village in Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh.{{Cite news|date=16 July 2021|title=Mahesh Kathi's death: Dalit leader Manda Krishna alleges conspiracy, seeks probe|work=The News Minute|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/mahesh-kathis-death-dalit-leader-manda-krishna-alleges-conspiracy-seeks-probe-152417|access-date=21 July 2021}} He was born into a Dalit family and belonged to Madiga community.{{Cite web|date=10 July 2021|title=Film critic Mahesh Kathi, who met with an accident, passes away|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/film-critic-mahesh-kathi-who-met-accident-passes-away-chennai-152105|access-date=21 July 2021|website=The News Minute|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Rao|first=Chandrasekhar|date=23 March 2021|title=Kathi Mahesh: తిరుపతిలో బీజేపీకి ఓడిపోవడానికి పవన్ కల్యాణ్ ఒక్కడు చాలు|trans-title=Kathi Mahesh: Pawan Kalyan is enough for BJP to lose in Tirupati|url=https://telugu.oneindia.com/news/tirupati/tirupati-bypoll-manda-krishna-madiga-likely-to-campaign-for-bjp-candidate-290396.html|access-date=21 July 2021|website=OneIndia Telugu|language=te}} He studied at AP Residential School at Gyarampalle near Piler.{{Cite news|last=K.|first=Umashanker|date=13 July 2021|title=Kathi Mahesh laid to rest at native Yalamanda|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/kathi-mahesh-laid-to-rest-at-native-yalamanda/article35291223.ece|access-date=21 July 2021|issn=0971-751X}} He studied MA Communication at Hyderabad Central University during 1998–2000.{{Cite news|date=14 July 2021|title=University of Hyderabad mourns the death of alumnus and film critic Kathi Mahesh|work=The News Minute|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/university-hyderabad-mourns-death-alumnus-and-film-critic-kathi-mahesh-152279|access-date=21 July 2021}}
Mahesh was a vocal supporter of Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and YSR Congress Party in the past and spoke in favour of Jagan Mohan Reddy in several television debates.{{Cite news|date=2 July 2021|title=Andhra govt offers Rs 17 lakh for film critic Kathi Mahesh's treatment after accident|work=The News Minute|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/andhra-govt-offers-rs-17-lakh-film-critic-kathi-mahesh-s-treatment-after-accident-151646|access-date=10 July 2021}} He backed YSR Congress Party during the 2021 bye-elections for the Tirupati Lok Sabha constituency.{{Cite news|date=10 July 2021|title=Actor, film critic Kathi Mahesh dead|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/actor-film-critic-kathi-mahesh-dead/article35254019.ece|access-date=21 July 2021|issn=0971-751X}}
Career
Mahesh started his career with Edari Varsham, based on Devarakonda Balagangadhara Tilak's story Vuri Chivara Illu. He was a co-writer of the film Minugurulu, the "first Telugu script to be preserved in the Oscar Library's permanent core collection" and the first Telugu film to contend for the Academy Awards' best feature film (2014).{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/telugu/article/102625.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140127131721/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/telugu/article/102625.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 January 2014 |title=Minugurulu Grabs Best Indian Film CIICFF - Telugu Movie News |website=Indiaglitz.com |date=25 January 2014 |accessdate=8 January 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/minugurulu-in-oscar-contenders-list-telugu-news-121833.html |title=Minugurulu in Oscar contenders list - Telugu Movie News |website=Indiaglitz.com |date=26 December 2014 |accessdate=8 January 2017}}
In his next film, the 2015 romantic comedy Pesarattu, he used flowcam technology popularized by Ram Gopal Varma. It was the first crowd funded short film in Telugu.{{cite web|last=Rajamani|first=Radhika|date=6 February 2015|title=Telugu cinema never expanded into meaningful cinema|url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/telugu-cinema-never-expanded-into-meaningful-cinema-south/20150206.htm|access-date=27 June 2021|website=Rediff}} He played minor roles in the Telugu movies Hrudaya Kaleyam (2014), Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2017), and Kobbari Matta (2019).{{Cite news|date=26 June 2021|title=Film critic Kathi Mahesh severely injured in car accident in Nellore|work=The News Minute|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/film-critic-kathi-mahesh-severely-injured-car-accident-nellore-151311|access-date=27 June 2021}}
In 2017, he appeared in season 1 of the Telugu reality show Bigg Boss, hosted by Jr. NTR and telecast on Star Maa.{{Cite news|last=Ch.|first=Sowmya Sruthi|date=6 August 2017|title=Bigg Boss Telugu, 5th August 2017, Episode 21 Update: Tarak announces Rs 50 lakh prize money; Siva Balaji, Mahesh Kathi and Dhanraj in safe zone|work=The Times of India|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/telugu/bigg-boss-telugu-5th-august-2017-episode-21-update-tarak-announces-rs-50-lakh-prize-money-siva-balaji-mahesh-kathi-and-dhanraj-in-safe-zone/articleshow/59938747.cms|access-date=27 June 2021}}
His last film, Egise Tarajuvvualu, touched on the need for developing scientific temperament among children.{{Cite web|last=Pasupulate|first=Karthik|date=10 October 2017|title=Kathi Mahesh: Egise Tarajuvvalu is the only Telugu film in the race to vie for top honours at ICFFI|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/kathi-mahesh-egise-tarajuvvalu-is-the-only-telugu-film-in-the-race-to-vie-for-top-honours-at-icffi/articleshow/61008101.cms|access-date=27 June 2021|website=The Times of India|language=en}}
= Criticism on Telugu films =
Mahesh rose to prominence for his sharp and controversial reviews on Telugu films. He had been a panelist on television news channels, often defending rationalist views. He accuses Tollywood of being casteist and feels that Telugu films lack new ideas and fail to address social issues.{{Cite web|date=25 March 2017|title=For harsh review of 'Katamarayudu', a Telugu critic is getting threats from Pawan Kalyan fans|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/harsh-review-katamarayudu-telugu-critic-getting-threats-pawan-kalyan-fans-59246|access-date=21 July 2021|website=The News Minute|language=en}}
In March 2017, he critically reviewed Pawan Kalyan's movie, Katamarayudu, and called the movie "a badly written film" with "a predictable screenplay". He also said that the movie was sexist and has a lot of derogatory comments against women. Soon after, he was trolled online and cyberbullied with abuses and threats on his Facebook wall, allegedly by Pawan Kalyan's fans.
Other works
Legal issues
Mahesh was banned from entering Hyderabad on 9 July 2018 for a period of six months by the Telangana police, under the Telangana Prevention of Anti-Social and Hazardous Activities Act, 1980, for allegedly calling Rama a "cheat" and claiming that Sita would have been better off with Ravana, during a debate, about a sedition case filed against Babu Gogineni,{{Cite web|date=12 July 2021|title=Unconventional, controversial but Mahesh Kathi carved his space in a casteist world|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/unconventional-controversial-mahesh-kathi-carved-his-space-casteist-world-152169|access-date=21 July 2021|website=The News Minute|language=en}} in a regional news channel. He was dropped at his native place in Chittoor district by the police.{{cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/telangana-police-ban-film-critic-mahesh-kathi-entering-hyd-6-months-84441|title=Telangana police ban film critic Mahesh Kathi from entering Hyd for 6 months|date=9 July 2018|publisher=}} He defended his comments citing his right to freedom of speech.{{Cite news|last=Kumar|first=Naveen|date=1 July 2018|title=I am free to say what I want, do not regret: Kathi Mahesh|work=Deccan Chronicle|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/crime/010718/i-am-free-to-say-what-i-want-do-not-regret-kathi-mahesh.html|access-date=27 June 2021}}
A case was filed against him in February 2020 for referring to Rama as having mistresses and Sita wishing to eat the golden deer Rama was chasing, during an anti-CAA event held in Osmania University, Hyderabad.{{Cite web|date=10 February 2020|title=Hyderabad police book film critic Mahesh Kathi for controversial comments on Hindu god|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/hyderabad-police-book-film-critic-mahesh-kathi-controversial-comments-hindu-god-117903|access-date=30 October 2020|website=The News Minute|language=en}}
Death
On 25 June 2021, Mahesh met with an accident when his car collided with a truck near Nellore, when he was travelling from Chittoor towards Hyderabad. He was admitted to Medicover Hospitals in Nellore with severe head and eye injuries. The hospital stated that his health was in critical condition and then he was shifted to the ICU. The government of Andhra Pradesh offered a financial support of {{Indian Rupee|17 lakhs|link=yes}} from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund for his treatment. He was shifted to Apollo Hospitals in Chennai for better treatment.{{Cite news|date=10 July 2021|title=Kathi Mahesh no more|work=Deccan Chronicle|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/tollywood/100721/kathi-mahesh-no-more.html|access-date=10 July 2021}} He died on 10 July at the age of 43.{{cite news|url=https://news.abplive.com/entertainment/andhra-pradesh-telugu-actor-dalit-intellectual-kathi-mahesh-dies-at-43-1468710|title=Telugu Actor, Dalit Intellectual Kathi Mahesh Dies At 43; Sudheer Babu, Nani & Other Celebs Mourn His Death|work=adp LIVE|date=2021-07-10|access-date=2022-01-11}} He was survived by his wife and a son. His last rites were performed on 12 July at his native village of Yellamanda.
Filmography
= Films =
== As actor ==
class="wikitable sortable" | ||
Year
! Film ! Role ! class="unsortable" | {{Tooltip|Ref.|Reference(s)}} | ||
---|---|---|
2011
| Edari Varsham | | | |
rowspan="2" | 2014 | Policeman
| | |
Maine Pyar Kiya | Junky | |
rowspan="2" |2017 | Tea vendor
| | |
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
| | ||
rowspan="2"|2019 | Farmer
| | |
Amma Rajyam Lo Kadapa Biddalu
|Special Officer | | ||
rowspan="3"|2021
|Kathi | | ||
Nepotism
| | | ||
A1 Express
|News reporter | |
==Other roles==
class="wikitable" | ||
style="background:#B0C4DE; text-align:center;"
! rowspan="2" scope="col"| Year ! rowspan="2" scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" colspan="1"| Credited as ! rowspan="2" class="unsortable" scope="col" | Notes | ||
Role | ||
---|---|---|
2014 | Minugurulu | {{partial|Co-writer}}
| |
2015
| Pesaratu | {{Yes|Director}} | |
2017
| Egise Taarajuvvalu | {{partial|Co-writer}} |
=Television=
class="wikitable sortable" |
Year
! Show ! Role ! Channel ! Result |
---|
2017
| Contestant | Star Maa | 12th place - evicted on day 27 |
= Dubbing artist=
- Lakshmi (2018; Telugu version) for Sam Paul
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|6806425}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mahesh, Kathi}}
Category:Year of birth uncertain
Category:21st-century Indian male actors
Category:Male actors in Telugu cinema
Category:Screenwriters from Andhra Pradesh
Category:Male actors from Andhra Pradesh
Category:Indian male film actors