Kartikeya Gummakonda

Kartikeya Gummakonda was born and brought up in Hyderabad. His parents own a school in the neighbourhood of Vanasthalipuram, namely Nagarjuna group of schools.^[2] After graduating from National Institute of Technology, Warangal, he choose to pursue a career in acting.^[3]

In August 2021, Gummakonda got engaged to his girlfriend Lohitha Reddy whom he met during college in 2010.^[4] The couple got married on 21 November 2021.^[5]

Gummakonda made his debut with Prematho Mee Karthik (2017), and then starred in a few films, none of which were theatrically released.^[6] He became noted with RX 100 (2018) directed by Ajay Bhupathi.^[7] The film was a commercial success which earned him recognition.^[8][9][10] He then appeared in Hippi, Guna 369, Nani's Gang Leader and 90ML, with all four releasing in 2019.^[11][12] Gummakonda worked out in order to achieve authenticity in the role of a kickboxer for Hippi.^[10] Guna 369 is about a real incident that took place in Ongole.^[13][14] In a review of the film by The Times of India, the reviewer wrote that "Karthikeya does his best to pour life into the titular character".^[15]

Gummakonda made his first appearance as a villain opposite Nani in Gang Leader.^[16][17] He landed the role after the film's director Vikram Kumar liked his acting in RX 100,^[16] and he received positive reviews for his portrayal of Dev.^[18] Despite enjoying the craze, his intent to evolve as a performer was clearly seen in his antagonist role from the film. Post this success, he signed on to play an interesting lead role in 90ML.^[19][20] In a review of the film by The Times of India, the reviewer wrote that "Kartikeya gets a role that requires him to dance like a dream and fight like a pro for the most part and he aces it completely."^[21] In 2021, he played Basti Balaraju in Chaavu Kaburu Challaga, a hearse driver who falls in love with a widow. Reviewing his performance, a critic from The Indian Express stated: "Kartikeya wins applauds for his depiction of Basthi Balaraju."^[22]

In 2021, he starred in Raja Vikramarka where he plays the role of an NIA officer.^[23] Gummakonda played the antagonist in the Ajith-starrer Valimai, which marks his debut in Tamil cinema.^[24] He was next seen in the village dramedy Bedurulanka 2012, which released in the second half of 2023^[25] and emerged as a commercially successful film.^[26]

Bhaje Vaayu Vegam is his latest release which was produced by UV Creations and directed by debutant Prashanth Reddy.^[27][28]

• All films are in Telugu, unless listed otherwise.