In addition to his film career, Chaitanya is the owner of the cloud kitchen chain Shoyu and is a celebrity endorser for numerous brands and products. He was married to actressSamantha Ruth Prabhu from 2017 to 2021.[4] Since 2024 he has been married to actressSobhita Dhulipala.
Chaitanya was born on 23 November 1986 in aTelugu family to actorAkkineni Nagarjuna and Lakshmi Daggubati inHyderabad.[5][6][7] His paternal grandfather, actorAkkineni Nageswara Rao and his maternal grandfather, producerD. Ramanaidu are prominent figures inTelugu cinema.[8] Chaitanya's parents got divorced when he was a child. Both his parents later remarried. While Nagarjuna married former actressAmala Mukherjee, Lakshmi married Sharath Vijayaraghavan, a corporate executive at Sundaram Motors.[9] Chaitanya has a paternal half-brother, actorAkhil Akkineni, and a maternal step-brother.[10][9] His maternal uncle,Venkatesh, and first cousins,Rana Daggubati,Sumanth andSushanth, are also actors.[11]
Chaitanya grew up inChennai, where he was raised for18+1⁄2 years.[12] He was educated atPadma Seshadri Bala Bhavan, Chennai[13] and at AMM School, Chennai.[13] He then completed his graduation fromSt. Mary's College, Hyderabad.[14] He expressed his desire toNagarjuna to take up acting as his profession during his second year in college.[15] He enrolled in a three-month acting course inMumbai. He received further training in acting and martial arts in Los Angeles, apart from taking voice and dialogue coaching for one year before making his acting debut.[16][17]
Chaitanya debuted in 2009 with the filmJosh, directed by Vasu Varma, in which he played a college student.[18]Rediff.com wrote: "As a debutant, Naga Chaitanya has performed well. He has his moments where he's proven himself. There is always scope for improvement and one hopes that he will hone his skills in the years to come."[19] Chaitanya won theFilmfare Award for Best Male Debut - South.[20]
He next starred in the 2010 romantic dramaYe Maaya Chesave, directed byGautham Vasudev Menon, which was simultaneously shot in Tamil asVinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa, with a different cast and climax.[21] He played a Hindu Telugu assistant director who falls in love with a Christian Malayali girl. A reviewer fromSify.com wrote: "Naga Chaitanya is at home in romantic scenes. His asset is his voice and his casual acting style. Chaitanya has improved his performance from his first film. He can now confidently act in more romantic films and strengthen his position." However, the reviewer felt that he should concentrate on his looks as he felt that Chaitanya looked "very boyish".[22] The film was a success at the box office and went on to receive a cult status.[15][23] He also received a nomination forFilmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu.[24][25]
AfterYe Maaya Chesave, he paired up withTamannaah Bhatia in 2011 for love story titled100% Love, in which he played a studious and egotistical college student who is the top ranker of his college. It was a box office success.[26]123telugu stated, "Naga Chaitanya is suave to the level of being egoist. He performs well and gives a calm skin to his character."[27] His next film wasDhada (2011).The Times of India wrote, "After good performances in his last two films, Naga Chaitanya doesn't live up to expectations. He has the same expression stuck on his face throughout the movie."[28]
His next release that year wasBejawada, directed by Vivek Krishna. The film saw Chaitanya portraying the role of a college student-turned-gangster. The film received negative reviews, with critics calling it his worst film.[29][30] His performance was also panned by critics.TheTimes of India wrote: "This film might have even outdone "Dhada", in being called the worst film of Chaitanya's career. While the young actor still needs to work on his facial expressions, he was saddled with a poorly sketched character in this film, devoid of all heroism, and he fails to rise above it."[31]
Chaitanya's next film,Tadakha in 2013, was an official remake ofN. Lingusamy's Tamil action filmVettai.The Hindu wrote: "Naga Chaitanya shows tremendous improvement even his last outing, the debacle calledBejawada. He is in sync with his role, exudes over confidence and seems to have had funny stunt sequences and comic portions. Reprising a role played by an established actor like Arya is no mean task and Chaitanya pulls it off rather well."[32] The film was commercially successful, giving the actor a much needed break.[33]
In 2014, Chaitanya appeared in the period-dramaManam, which also featured his grandfather,Akkineni Nageswara Rao, and father,Nagarjuna.[34] He played two roles in the film, which were of a middle class father in 1983 and a happy-go-lucky college student.Deccan Chronicle wrote: "Naga Chaitanya has done a decent job and compared to his earlier films he matured a lot as an actor."[35] Sify.com wrote "There is lot of improvement in Naga Chaitanya's acting. He looks natural and has done justice to his role."[36]
His next release was the political-dramaAutonagar Surya, directed byDeva Katta, in which he played Surya, a skilled mechanic.[37] Upon release, the film received mixed reviews from critics, who however appreciated Chaitanya's performance in the film calling it one of his best efforts. The film ended up as a flop.[38]The Hindu wrote: "One rarely gets to see Naga Chaitanya smiling in this film. Chaitanya brings in the right amount of grit and intensity required for his role and shows that he can carry a film on his shoulders with the help of an able director."[39] He later starred in romantic comedyOka Laila Kosam in 2014.The Times of India wrote, "Oka Laila Kosam is a simple love story which doesn't quite leave you with a big smile on your face, but it has enough mojo, if you are a big sucker for romance."[40] In 2015, he played the lead in the action-crime dramaDohchay, directed bySudheer Varma.[41]
In 2016, Naga Chaitanya starred in the remake of the 2015 Malayalam cult-romantic filmPremam, of the same name, alongsideShruti Hassan.[42] The film became a commercial success.[43]Times of India noted, "Naga Chaitanya shows the variation in his portrayal that leave you in awe of him and makes you wonder why he never showed the prowess before."[44] After the success ofPremam, his next release wasSahasam Swasaga Sagipo, released two days after demonetisation and won him critical acclaim.[45] received positive reviews.[46]The New Indian Express stated, "Naga Chaitanya's casting for a role like this was spot on, and the actor delivers one of his finest performances till date".[47][48][49] In 2017, he had two releases. Firstly, the family dramaRarandoi Veduka Chudham, directed byKalyan Krishna oppositeRakul Preet Singh.[50]Firstpost wrote, "Naga Chaitanya has, quite clearly, put his best foot forward. In this film, he doesn't let his silence do most of the talking, his body language is different and the actor does a pretty job.[51] Secondly, the thriller filmYuddham Sharanam oppositeLavanya Tripathi.[52][53]
Chaitanya starred in a brief role in the 2018Savitri's biopic,Mahanati, directed byNag Ashwin, which was a huge hit. He played his grandfatherNageswara Rao.[54] In the same year, he starred inMaruthi-directedShailaja Reddy Alludu alongsideAnu Emmanuel andRamya Krishnan.Hindustan Times wrote, "The film is a commercial entertainer and the same old formula of a sincere son-in-law who helps his lady love's family is presented well." Two months later, his next film, the thrillerSavyasachi directed byChandoo Mondeti featured Chaitanya in the role of anambidextrous man.India Today wrote, "Chaitanya does his part well but looks caricaturish in the romantic portions and they test your patience."[55][56]
Chaitanya featured in the 2019 filmMajili along withSamantha Ruth Prabhu, in their fourth film together.[57] With a gross of₹700 million (equivalent to₹870 million or US$10 million in 2023),Majili become the highest-grossing film in Chaitanya's career.[58]The Hindu noted, "As Poorna, we see a new Naga Chaitanya. He looks the part and shines in his portrayal of a young, aspiring cricketer."[59][60]India Today stated, "Naga Chaitanya has delivered his career-best performance as Purna. As a grief-stricken guy, he shines in the portions where he is still recovering from his tragic break-up."[61] Later that year, he starred inVenky Mama alongside his maternal uncleVenkatesh andRaashi Khanna. The film was a profitable venture, grossing₹720 million (equivalent to₹890 million or US$10 million in 2023).[62][63]
In 2021, Chaitanya starred as a lower caste boy in the filmLove Story oppositeSai Pallavi.[64] The film grossed over ₹90 crore at the box office, and became a commercially successful venture.[65]Deccan Chronicle noted, "Naga Chaitanya delivers his career's best; he's brilliant as a guy constantly facing caste discrimination yet moving on. Indeed, he had to unlearn much for the role, which is evident in his performance." WhileTimes of India wrote, "Naga Chaitanya easily delivers one of his career's best performances. He is handed a character that's sensitive, polite and someone who's not afraid to go the extra mile for love – and he pulls it off well."[66][67]
Chaitanya had three releases in 2022. He appeared inBangarraju along with his father, NagarjunaSakshi stated, "Nagarjuna and Chaitanya are the core strength of the film".[68] The film received mixed reviews but was a commercial success.[69][70] He next appeared inThank You with Raashi Khanna.[71] The film received mixed to negative reviews,The Hans India wrote "Though, Chaitanya nailed it with his performance but that is not sufficient to save this rudderless drama with no proper mission."[72][73] Chaitanya made hisHindi film debut withLaal Singh Chaddha, his final release of the year.[74][75] He played an army officer alongsideAamir Khan. It was declared a box office bomb, but became the highest-grossing Hindi film of 2022 at international box office.[76]Filmfare noted, "Naga Chaitanya isn't playing the central character, but manages to leave an impact through his sincerity and commitment to the role."[77]
In 2023, he played a constable in the Telugu-Tamil bilingual film,Custody, alongsideKrithi Shetty. It marked his Tamil debut.[78][79]Hindustan Times wrote, "Naga Chaitanya plays his part quite well and this is definitely an attempt worth some praise."[80] Chaitanya then made his digital debut with theAmazon Prime Video's web series,Dhootha, where he played an investigation journalist alongsidePriya Bhavani Shankar.[81]Hindustan Times stated, "Dhootha gives Naga Chaitanya the chance to do something he hasn't before – shed his 'good boy' image. His performance might not always land, but he keeps you invested in most of the episodes that require him to do the heavy-lifting."[82]
In his first release of 2025, Chaitanya played a fisherman inThandel, opposite Sai Pallavi.[83][84] T Maruthi Acharya took note of his ease in romantic dramas and added, "Chaitanya slips into Raju’s character with ease and charm. His transformation, especially his attempt at the Srikakulam accent, lends authenticity to the role."[85]
Chaitanya began dating actressSamantha Ruth Prabhu in 2015.[86] The couple got engaged in a ceremony inHyderabad on 29 January 2017.[87][88] Chaitanya married Samantha inGoa on 6 October 2017, following traditionalHindu wedding customs, and had aChristian ceremony on 7 October 2017.[89][90] They announced their separation on 2 October 2021, and were subsequently divorced.[91]
Mayukh Majumdar ofFilmfare termed him a "star down South".[98] Karthik Kumar ofHindustan Times noted, "Chaitanya has proved himself as the heartthrob of Telugu cinema with his good looks and his romantic films."[99] InRediff.com's list of "Top 5 Telugu actors", he was placed second in 2010.[100]
Chaitanya has frequently featured on theHyderabad Times' Most Desirable Men list. He ranked 12th in 2017, 7th in 2018, 11th in 2019 and 6th in 2020.[101][102][103][104] Chaitanya has also been associated with social causes. During theCOVID-19 pandemic, he donated Rs 25 lakhs, to support daily wage workers in the film industry.[105] Chaitanya is a celebrity endorser for brands and products includingAriel,Big Bazaar,Myntra andColgate among others.[106][107] In 2016, he also became the brand ambassador of Tollywood Thunders in the first season of theCelebrity Badminton League.[108]
In 2022, Chaitanya started his own chain of cloud kitchen brand "Shoyu" inHyderabad.[109] Chaitanya also ventured intoMotor Racing by acquiring the ownership of Motorsport racing team "Hyderabad Blackbirds (HBB)".[110]
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