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J. D. Chakravarthy is an Indian actor, film producer, director, screenwriter, music composer, and singer. He mainly works in South Indian films. He gained immense popularity with the Hindi film ‘Satya’ (1998) in which he played the lead role.
Wiki/Biography
J. D. Chakravarthy aka Nagulapati Srinivasa Chakravarthy was born on Thursday, 16 April 1970 (age 53 years; as of 2023) in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, (now Telangana) India and brought up in Rajahmundry. His zodiac sign is Aries. From LKG to class 8, he studied at Cambridge Junior College, Hyderabad. He then attended St. George’s Grammar School, Hyderabad, India. Later, he pursued a Bachelor of Engineering at Chaitanya Bharathi Institute of Technology, Hyderabad, Telangana.
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 9″
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Brown
Family
He belongs to a Brahmin family.
Parents & Siblings
His father’s name is Nagulapati Suryanarayana Rao. His mother, Prof. Dr Kovela Shantha, is a renowned Carnatic singer. His elder sister’s name is Vijayanthi.
Wife & Children
In 2016, he got married to the Indian model and actor Anukriti Sharma in a private ceremony held at his residence in Hyderabad. However, after a few years of their marriage, the couple got divorced.
Relationships/Affairs
Maheshwari
He was once rumoured to be in a relationship with the Indian actress Maheshwari, who was the cousin of Sridevi. However, when J. D. was asked about his affair with Maheshwari, he denied it and said,
I am not blaming media. They highlight the issue which interests people and are good at sensationalizing a particular issue. There is no truth in the so called affair with Maheswari. But with our chemistry working in Gulabi, everyone started suspecting something. Had I had affair with Maheswari, I am not the kind to let her go in such a manner. We are just good friends and moved closely.”
Vishnupriya
There were once rumours of his relationship with the Indian actress Vishnupriya. The rumours started soon after Vishnupriya shared on a talk show that she liked J. D. However, he denied the rumours.
Career
Actor
Film
Telugu
In 1989, he made his Telugu film debut with the film ‘Shiva’ as J. Durga Rao/JD.
Some of his other Telugu films are ‘Lathi’ (1992), ‘Money Money’ (1994), ‘Gulabi’ (1995), ‘Homam’ (2008), ‘Dynamite’ (2015), and ‘Hippi’ (2019).
Hindi
He has acted in various Hindi films like ‘Prem Qaidi’ (1991), ‘Satya’ (1998), ‘Vaastu Shastra’ (2004), ‘Aag’ (2007), ‘Ek Villain Returns’ (2022), and ‘Dahini – The Witch’ (2022).
Malayalam
He played the role of Renjith Lal in his debut Malayalam film ‘Ennodishtam Koodamo’ (1992).
He has appeared in a few other Malayalam films like ‘Bhaskar the Rascal’ (2015), ‘Shikhamani’ (2016), and ‘Mikhael’ (2019).
Tamil
In 1993, he made his Tamil film debut with the film ‘Prathap’ as Vimal Raj.
He has acted in many Tamil films such as ‘Kannathil Muthamittal’ (2002), ‘Sarvam’ (2009), ‘Kacheri Arambam’ (2010), and ‘Kaari’ (2022).
Kannada
In 2019, J. D. appeared in the Kannada film ‘Oppanda’ as Chakri.
Web Series
In 2023, he made his web series debut with the Hindi web series ‘Taaza Khabar’ as Shetty. The series aired on Disney+ Hotstar.
In 2023, he acted in the Telugu web series ‘Dayaa’ which streamed on Disney+ Hotstar.
Director/Writer/Producer
He has worked as a producer in films like ‘Pape Naa Pranam’ (1998; Telugu) and ‘Durga’ (2002; Hindi). In 2006, he directed a few Hindi films like ‘Darna Zaroori Hai’ (Segment: A Bride’s Revenge) and ‘Darwaaza Bandh Rakho.’ J. D. has worked as a writer and director in a few Telugu films like ‘Homam’ (2008), ‘Sidham’ (2009), ‘Money Money, More Money’ (2011), and ‘All the Best’ (2012).
Controversy
Behavioural Issues
Reportedly, he has behavioural issues for which he was even slapped by the Indian actor Chalapathi Rao on the sets of a film. Later, the Indian actress Rambha, who acted alongside J. D. Chakravarthy in the film Bombayi Priyudu, made some controversial comments about him. Rambha mentioned that J. D. Chakravarthy was her good friend but accused him of being dishonest when it came to maintaining friendships. She also expressed her sadness over J. D. Chakravarthy not attending her wedding and not keeping in touch with her lately. Later, in an interview with the local media, Rambha shared that she was upset with J. D. Chakravarthy for not attending her wedding and not maintaining communication with her. However, she did mention that she had good chemistry with him and considered him as one of the few people in the industry she got along well with, but she still claimed that J. D. Chakravarthy had a tendency to be dishonest in his friendships.
Awards
- 1996: Nandi Special Jury Award for the Telugu film Gulabi
- 1998: Screen Award Special Jury Award for the Hindi film Satya
- 2023: Eko International Film Festival for the Hindi film Dahini – The Witch
- 2023: Festival Award for Best Supporting Actor for the Hindi film Dahini – The Witch
Favourites
Facts/Trivia
- In an interview, he shared that since his childhood, he was inclined towards acting. He pursued engineering in his graduation as it was his mother’s will.
- He once applied at Adayar Institute for Films in Chennai. However, they did not even accept his application.
- While he was in class 6, he became a vegetarian.
- J. D. once talked about getting a call from the Indian film producer Mani Ratnam before his film Satya was released. He said, Mani called him and said that someone wanted to talk to him. J. D. said,
That somebody took the phone and said, Salaam Alaikum. I said, Walekum Assalam, kaun bol rahe hain? The person said, Doesn’t matter who is talking, just answer one question. If ‘Satya’ is to become a disaster, what do you think we should do? I asked him, May I know your good name please? He said, What’s there in the name? I said, It’s important. Tell me your name. He said, My name is Shah Rukh Khan.”
- He once had a rift with the Indian actor Vamsi Krishna, and they did not talk for around two years. Reportedly, their fight was over the Indian actress Maheshwari.
- J. D. was once at Maheshwari’s home for lunch where Sridevi’s mother asked him to marry his daughter.
- In 2019, during the promotion of his film ‘Hippi,’ he went half naked when someone from the audience ask him to explain the meaning of Hippi.