Venky Kudumula

• Name — Venky Kudumula • Birth Name — Venkatesh Kudumula • Birthplace — Khammam district, Telangana, India • Occupation — Film director • Years Active — 2012present

While studying agriculture and business management at Acharya NG Ranga University, Kudumula forayed into films. He began working as an assistant director to Teja for Neeku Naku Dash Dash (2012) and Thoofan (2013). Kudumula later went on to work as an assistant director in Jadoogadu (2015) and A Aa (2016). He made his film debut with Chalo (2018). The film starred Naga Shaurya, whom he worked for in Jadoogadu, and Rashmika Mandanna. The film is set in a village on the border of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu and Tamil actors Mime Gopi and Rajendran were signed to play pivotal roles. In a review of the film by The Times of India the reviewer stated that " Despite the story of Chalo being somewhat a cliché, director Venky somehow cleverly manages to turn the tropes into a fun and interesting ride". In a review of the film by The Hindu, the reviewer, Srivatsan Nadadhur, wrote that "the director Venky Kudumula throws new light on a bunch of stereotypes and age-old rivalry associated with a Romeo-Juliet tale". Kudumula's next film as a director was Bheeshma starring Nithiin and Rashmika Mandanna. The film marked his second collaboration with Mandanna after Chalo. Bheeshma, similar to Chalo, received positive reviews upon release. In a review of the film by The Hindu, Sangeetha Devi Dundoo, the reviewer, stated that "Venky Kudumula ties up the different threads to the story well". In a review of the film by The Times of India, the reviewer wrote that "What's... amazing is how Venky ties up all the threads by the end". In 2021 December, Kudumala's upcoming project with Chiranjeevi was announced. It was supposed to be produced by DVV Entertainments. However, due to undisclosed reasons, the film was dropped and shelved. In 2022, he reunited with both Nithiin and Rashmika for Robinhood, that was to be produced by Mythri Movie Makers. Post the launch of the film, Rashmika was instead replaced by Sreeleela, owing to her busy schedules. The music was composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar. It is slated to release on 28 March 2025, coinciding with Ugadi.

• Year — Film — Director — Writer — Notes — References • 2013 — Thoofan — Additional Writer • 2018 — Chalo — Nominated–SIIMA Award for Best Debut Director • 2020 — Bheeshma • 2025 — Robinhood