Naga Chaitanya

Chaitanya debuted in 2009 with the film Josh, directed by Vasu Varma, in which he played a college student. 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."[17] Chaitanya won the Filmfare Award South for Best Male Debut.[18]

He next starred in the romantic drama Ye Maaya Chesave, directed by Gautham Menon, which was simultaneously shot in Tamil as Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa, with a different cast and climax. He played a Hindu Telugu assistant director who falls in love with a Christian Malayali girl. A reviewer from Sify.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".[19] The film was a super hit at the box office and went on to receive a cult status.[14][20] He also received a nomination for Filmfare Award South for Best Actor Male.[21][22]

After Ye Maaya Chesave, he paired up with Sukumar for another love story titled 100% Love, in which he played a studious and egotistical college student who is the top ranker of his college. IndiaGlitz wrote: "Naga Chaitanya's action has improved from his previous films. Though his expressions fall flat at places, the music, characterization, camera and the look covers it all. His timing and grasping of his role is commendable. Though he didn't impress with his action, he didn't depress either. His best is perhaps yet to come." However, the reviewer opined that Chaitanya should improve his dancing skills.[23]

His next film was Dhada, directed by debutante director Ajay Bhuyan. The film's story is based on an engineering graduate student who was to complete his studies in the US and return to India in another 10 days. 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."[24]

His last release of the year was Bejawada, 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.[25][26] His performance was also panned by critics. The Times of India wrote: "This film might have even outdone "Dhada", in being called the worst film of Naga 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."[27]

Chaitanya's next film Tadakha, was an official remake of N. Lingusamy's Tamil action film Vettai. The Hindu wrote: "Naga Chaitanya shows untremendous improvement even his last outing, the debacle called Bejawada. 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."[28] The film was a Super Hit at the box office, giving the actor a much needed break.[29]

In 2014, Chaitanya appeared in the period-drama Manam, which also featured his grandfather, Akkineni Nageswara Rao, and father, Akkineni Nagarjuna.[30] 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."[31] Sify.com wrote "There is lot of improvement in Naga Chaitanya`s acting. He looks natural and has done justice to his role."[32]Samantha Akkineni played his love interest in Manam.

His next release was the political-drama Autonagar Surya, directed by Deva Katta, in which he played Surya, a skilled mechanic.[33] Upon release, the film received mixed reviews from critics, who however appreciated Naga Chaitanya's performance in the film calling it one of his best efforts. The film ended up as a flop.[34] 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."[35]

Next, Chaitanya starred in Oka Laila Kosam, a romantic comedy and his performance in the film was well appreciated [36] by critics.[37] 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."

In 2015, his release was the action-crime drama Dohchay, directed by Sudheer Varma released in 2015 to poor reviews.[38] Later that year, he was brought aboard for Gautham Menon's bilingual romantic thriller film Sahasam Swasaga Sagipo.

In 2016, he starred in the remake of the 2015 Malayalam cult-romantic film Premam, of the same name, alongside Shruti Hassan. Premam released in October 2016 and garnered huge success and praise. This film brought him one of the biggest successes of his career. After success of Premam his next release was Sahasam Swasaga Sagipo, released two days after demonetization,[39] received positive reviews.[40][41][42] and won him critical acclaim but no commercial success.[6]

In May 2017, Rarandoi Veduka Chudham, a family drama, brought further acclaim for Chaitanya.[43]

His subsequent film, the thriller Yuddham Sharanam released on 8 September 2017[44][45] but ended up a disaster.

In 2018, he starred in a brief role in the Savitri biopic, Mahanati, directed by Nag Ashwin, which was a huge hit. He played his grandfather Nageswara Rao. On 31 August 2018, Shailaja Reddy Alludu directed by Maruthi Dasari released mixed reviews and turned out a below average grosser. He co-starred with Anu Emmanuel and Ramya Krishnan.[46] Times Of India wrote, "Some preaching, some family drama, some humour and Sailaja Reddy Alludu plays safe for a festive release." On 2 November, barely two months later, his next film, the thriller Savyasachi released and failed. It was directed by Chandoo Mondeti. It featured Naga Chaitanya in the role of an ambidextrous man.

In 2019, Majili was released on 5 April, directed by Shiva Nirvana, which features his wife Samantha Akkineni, they both previously worked together in Ye Maaya Chesave, Manam and Autonagar Surya. This will be their first collaboration after marriage.[47] Majili collected ₹40 crore (US$5.6 million) share and ₹70 crore (US$9.8 million)gross Worldwide, becoming highest grossing individual film in Chaitanya's career.[48]

He worked in another film called Venky Mama, directed by K. S. Ravindra, with his own maternal uncle Daggubati Venkatesh which is also produced by his uncle Daggubati Suresh Babu. The film gained positive reviews praising Venkatesh and Chaithanya performance and became a huge hit at the box office. It portrayed the emotional bond between a nephew and uncle. [49]