Akkineni Naga Chaitanya (born 23 November 1986) known professionally as Naga Chaitanya is an Indian actor who primarily works in Telugu films. Chaitanya made his acting debut with Josh (2009), which won him Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut – South. He is a recipient of several awards including one Filmfare Award South and South Indian International Movie Award each.

Chaitanya had his career breakthrough with the romantic drama Ye Maaya Chesave (2010), he followed it up with successful films including 100% Love (2011), Tadakha (2013) and Manam (2014). The latter won him the Nandi Award for Best Supporting Actor. Post a series of commercial failures, Chaitanya went onto establish himself with the notable films, Premam (2016), Majili (2019), Venky Mama (2019), Love Story (2021) and Bangarraju (2022). He has received Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu nominations for Ye Maaya Chesave, Premam and Love Story.[3]

Chaitanya's highest grossing release came with his Hindi film debut, the comedy drama Laal Singh Chaddha (2022). He was married to actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu from 2017 to 2021.

Chaitanya debuted in 2009 with the film Josh, 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 the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut - South.[20]

He next starred in the 2010 romantic drama Ye Maaya Chesave, directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon, which was simultaneously shot in Tamil as Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa, with a different cast and climax.[21] He played a Hindu Telugu assistant director who falls in love with a Christian Malayali girl. He also received a nomination for Filmfare Award South for Best Actor Male.[24][25]

After Ye Maaya Chesave, he paired up with Tamannaah Bhatia in 2011 for love story titled 100% 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 was Dhada (2011).

His next release that 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.[29][30] 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 Chaitanya's career.

Career fluctuation and progressions (2013–2018)

Chaitanya's next film, Tadakha in 2013, was an official remake of N. Lingusamy's Tamil action film Vettai. The Hindu wrote: "Naga Chaitanya shows tremendous 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."[32] The film was commercially successful, giving the actor a much needed break.
Chaitanya featured in the 2019 film Majili along with Samantha Akkineni, in their fourth film together.[57] With a gross of ₹700 million (equivalent to ₹870 million or US$11 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 in Venky Mama alongside his maternal uncle Venkatesh and Raashi Khanna. The film was a profitable venture, grossing ₹720 million (equivalent to ₹890 million or US$11 million in 2023).

In 2021, Chaitanya starred as a lower caste boy in the film Love Story opposite Sai Pallavi.[64] The film grossed over ₹90 crore at the box office, and became a commercially successful venture.[65]

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, alongside Krithi 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 will next make his web debut with Vikram Kumar's web series, Dhootha, for Amazon Prime Video.[81]