Venky Atluri
Indian film director
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Atluri Venkateswara Rao, commonly known as Venky Atluri is an Indian film director and screenwriter who works predominantly in Telugu and Tamil films. He is known for directing Tholi Prema (2018), Sir / Vaathi (2023) and Lucky Baskhar (2024).[2][3][4] The lattermost is his highest grosser and has won the National Film Award for Best Screenplay – Dialogue Writer.[5]
Early life and career
Venky Atluri was named Atluri Venkateswara Rao after his grandfather and graduated in B. Tech from DVRCET in kandi, Sangareddy. This resulted in him having a long stage name for his acting debut Gnapakam (2007) directed by Uppalapati Narayana Rao co-starring Vishakha Singh.[6] The film was a box office failure.[7]
Venky Atluri married Pooja Chowdary in February 2023.
Filmography
| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
As a film director
| Year | Title | Language | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Tholi Prema | Telugu | [8] | |
| 2019 | Mr. Majnu | [9] | ||
| 2021 | Rang De | [10] | ||
| 2023 | Vaathi | Tamil Telugu |
Simultaneously shot in Telugu as Sir | [11] |
| 2024 | Lucky Baskhar | Telugu | [12] | |
| 2026 | Vishwanath & Sons | Tamil | [13] |
Other crew positions
- Note: all films are in Telugu, unless otherwise noted.
| Year | Title | Writer | Actor | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Gnapakam | No | Yes | Srinu | credited as Atluri Venkateswara Rao | |
| 2010 | Sneha Geetham | Dialogues | Yes | Ravi | Uncredited as writer | [14][15] |
| 2011 | It's My Love Story | Dialogues | No | Uncredited | [15] | |
| 2015 | Kerintha | Yes | No | |||
Awards and nominations
| Award | Year | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Filmfare Awards South | 2026 | Best Director – Telugu | Lucky Baskhar | Nominated | [16] |
| Critics Best Film – Telugu | Won | [17] | |||
| National Film Awards | 2026 | Best Screenplay (Dialogue) | Lucky Baskhar | Won | [5] |
| South Indian International Movie Awards | 2019 | Best Debut Director – Telugu | Tholi Prema | Nominated | [18] |
| 2025 | Best Director – Telugu | Lucky Baskhar | Nominated | [19] | |
| Telangana Gaddar Film Awards | 2025 | Best Screenplay Writer | Won | [20] | |
| Zee Cine Awards Telugu | 2019 | Favorite Debut Director | Tholi Prema | Won |