View source for Akhil Akkineni

{{Short description|Indian actor (born 1994)}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2025}}

{{Infobox person
| name               = Akhil Akkineni
| image              = Akkineni Akhil.jpg
| caption            = Akkineni in 2017
| birth_date         = {{birth date and age|1994|04|08|df=yes}}<ref name="birthdate">{{cite web|date=29 October 2018|title=Tollywood's rising stars under 30|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/tollywoods-rising-stars-under-30/photostory/66416903.cms|access-date=14 August 2020|website=The Times of India}}</ref>
| birth_place        = [[San Jose, California|San Jose]], [[California]], United States
| alma_mater         = [[University of South Florida]]
| occupation         = Actor
| years_active       = 2015–present
| mother             = [[Amala Akkineni|Amala]]
| father             = [[Nagarjuna (actor)|Nagarjuna]]
| relatives          = [[Naga Chaitanya]] (half-brother)
|spouse              = {{marriage|Zainab Ravdjee|6 June 2025}}           					
| family             = See [[Daggubati–Akkineni family]]
}}
'''Akhil Akkineni''' (born 8 April 1994) is an [[India|Indian]] actor known for his work in [[Telugu cinema]]. He debuted as a child artist in the film ''[[Sisindri]]'' (1994), for which he won a [[Filmfare Special Award – South|Filmfare Special Award]].

Akkineni made his debut as a lead actor with ''[[Akhil (film)|Akhil]]'' (2015), which won him the [[Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut – South|Filmfare Best Male Debut]]. He later went on to star in ''[[Hello (2017 film)|Hello]]'' (2017) and ''[[Mr. Majnu]]'' (2019). He achieved his commercial breakthrough with the romantic comedy ''[[Most Eligible Bachelor]]'' (2021). Akkineni is the son of Indian actors [[Nagarjuna (actor)|Nagarjuna]] and [[Amala Akkineni|Amala]].

== Early life ==
Akkineni was born on 8 April 1994, in [[San Jose, California|San Jose]], [[California]], [[United States]],<ref name="birthdate" /><ref name="borninUS">{{cite AV media|people=[[Vemuri Radhakrishna]] and [[Nagarjuna (actor)|Nagarjuna]]|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izfEJHzhLrk&t=31m55s|title= Akkineni Nagarjuna Open Heart With RK Full Episode {{!}} Nagarjuna Reveals About Remake Of Gundamma Katha|publisher=[[ABN Andhra Jyothi]]|date=24 July 2019|lang=te|quote=Akhil was born in the U.S.}}</ref> to actors [[Nagarjuna (actor)|Nagarjuna]] and [[Amala Akkineni|Amala]]. He is of [[Telugu people|Telugu]] descent from his father's side, and has [[Bengalis|Bengali]] and [[Irish people|Irish]] ancestry from his mother's side.<ref>{{cite news|title=Amala Akkineni can't speak Bengali|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/Amala-Akkineni-cant-speak-Bengali/articleshow/9185371.cms|access-date=3 December 2020|website=The Times of India|date=14 January 2017}}</ref> He is the grandson of actor [[Akkineni Nageswara Rao]], and half-brother of [[Naga Chaitanya]].

Akkineni studied at Chaitanya Vidyalaya and later headed to Australia for two years. He returned to complete his studies at [[Oakridge International School]], [[Hyderabad]]. He pursued acting as a career at age 16 and enrolled in an acting course at the [[Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute]] in New York.<ref name="akhindu">{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/akhil-akkineni-theres-no-guarantee-for-success/article7846059.ece?secpage=true&secname=entertainment|title=Akhil Akkineni: There's no guarantee for success|date=15 November 2015|author=Sangeetha Devi Dundoo|work=The Hindu }}</ref> He also holds a [[Bachelor of Business Administration|BBA]] from the [[University of South Florida]].<ref name="ibt">{{cite web |last1=Hooli |first1=Sekhar H.|title=VV Vinayak Treats Akhil Akkineni Like Prince on Sets of his Debut Movie? |url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/vv-vinayak-treats-akhil-akkineni-like-prince-sets-his-debut-movie-623706 |website=IB Times |date=17 February 2015}}</ref>

Later in his teens, he pursued [[cricket]] and became a member in his father's Nag Kings team, in the 2010 celebrity Tollywood Trophy, which was a fundraiser for the [[Movie Artists Association|Movie Artistes' Association]]. His match-winning half-century in the final against [[Venkatesh (actor)|Venkatesh]]'s Venky Warriors, saw him secure the man-of-the-match and man-of-the-series awards.<ref>{{Cite news|date=14 June 2010|title=Nag Kings lift Tollywood trophy|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/Nag-Kings-lift-Tollywood-trophy/article16243642.ece|access-date=12 June 2021|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> His performance saw him get called up to play for the Telugu Warriors in the inaugural [[Celebrity Cricket League]] (CCL) in 2011. Since then he has regularly participated in the CCL tournament, winning the [[2015 Celebrity Cricket League|2016 edition]] as captain of his team.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/akhil-to-play-in-ccl-matches-telugu-news-67289.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208203203/http://www.indiaglitz.com/akhil-to-play-in-ccl-matches-telugu-news-67289.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 December 2015|title=Akhil to play in CCL matches|work=indiaglitz.com}}</ref>

== Career ==
As an infant, Akkineni debuted in his father's production, [[Shiva Nageswara Rao]]'s comedy, ''[[Sisindri]]'' (1995), an Indian adaptation of ''[[Baby's Day Out]]'' (1994).<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|date=5 December 2009|title=Mama's boy|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/Mamas-boy/article16369665.ece|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

In 2014, Akkineni appeared in a [[cameo appearance]] in the family drama, ''[[Manam (film)|Manam]]'' (2014), directed by [[Vikram Kumar]]. It featured three generations of actors from the [[Daggubati–Akkineni family|Akkineni family]]. His cameo in the climax of the film was an instant rage with the audience.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kamal |first1=S. S |title=Samantha's tweet has Nag fuming |url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/south-masala/samantha-ruth-prabhu-akhil-akkineni-nagarjuna-akkineni-nageswara-rao-naga-chaitanya/articleshow/26324058.cms |access-date=9 September 2023 |work=Bangalore Mirror |date=25 November 2013}}</ref> He described his shoot for the film alongside his grandfather, father and half-brother, as "nervous and exciting".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofap.com/cinema/i-felt-very-nervous-that-day-akhil-akkineni.html|title=Akhil Akkineni Interview, Akhil Akkineni interview about manam, Akhil Akkineni interview on manam I felt very nervous that day: Akhil Akkineni|work=timesofap.com|access-date=5 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190905153158/http://timesofap.com/cinema/i-felt-very-nervous-that-day-akhil-akkineni.html|archive-date=5 September 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Manam'' went on to become one of the most profitable Telugu films of 2014, whilst also considered to be one of the greatest Telugu films of all-time. Critics dubbed the film a "classic" en-route to it winning several awards, including [[Filmfare Award for Best Film – Telugu|Best Film]] at the [[Filmfare Awards South|Filmfare Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/small-was-big-for-southern-cinema-ians-special-2014-in-retrospect-news-others-omsmuojhgjhjd.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150210081634/http://www.sify.com/movies/small-was-big-for-southern-cinema-ians-special-2014-in-retrospect-news-others-omsmuojhgjhjd.html|title=Small was big for southern cinema (IANS Special: 2014 In Retrospect)|archive-date=10 February 2015|url-status=dead|work=Sify}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Winners-62nd-Britannia-Filmfare-Awards-South/articleshow/47836755.cms?|title=Winners: 62nd Britannia Filmfare Awards (South)|work=The Times of India|date=16 January 2017 }}</ref> He subsequently went on to make appearances in several commercials, notably for [[Karbonn Mobiles|Karbonn]], [[Mountain Dew]], and [[Titan Company|Titan]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rajamani |first1=Radhika |title=Nagarjuna's son Akhil Akkineni to make his debut |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/nagarjunas-son-akhil-akkineni-to-make-his-debut-south/20141225.htm |access-date=9 September 2023 |work=Rediff |date=25 December 2014 |language=en}}</ref>

Akkineni's debut film, as a full-fledged lead, was in ''[[Akhil (film)|Akhil]]'' (2015), directed by [[V. V. Vinayak]]. It was produced by [[Nithiin]] and his family.<ref name=":2">{{cite news |last1=Afreen |first1=Sama |title=I was mobbed by girls a few times: Akhil |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/I-was-mobbed-by-girls-a-few-times-Akhil/articleshow/46252275.cms |access-date=9 September 2023 |work=The Times of India |date=15 January 2017}}</ref> In order to prepare for the role, he enrolled in a stunt workshop with his personal trainer, Kicha, and attended workshops in [[Thailand]], for two months.<ref name="akhindu" /> The film began production in December 2014 and featured him alongside fellow debutante, [[Sayyeshaa|Sayesha Saigal]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/nagarjunas-son-akhils-debut-film-launched/article6700454.ece|title=Nagarjuna's son Akhil's debut film launched|via=Inter Asian News Service|work=The Hindu|date=17 December 2014 }}</ref> The film opened to a mixed response, and despite high expectations, it was a flop at the box-office. Following this, he went on a two-year hiatus.

In 2017, his second film, ''[[Hello (2017 film)|Hello]]'' (2017), directed by Vikram Kumar, was released along with ''[[Middle Class Abbayi]]'' and turned out to be a below-average grosser at the box-office, despite garnering generally positive reviews.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movie-reviews/hello/movie-review/62207206.cms|title=Hello movie review|work=[[Times of India]]}}</ref> Following that, Akkineni's third film was ''[[Mr. Majnu]]'' (2019), directed by [[Venky Atluri]] and co-starring [[Niddhi Agerwal]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|last=kavirayani|first=suresh|date=26 January 2019|title=Mr Majnu movie review: Akhil steals the show!|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/260119/mr-majnu-movie-review-akhil-steals-the-show.html|website=Deccan Chronicle}}</ref> Despite a great pre-release buzz and successful album, it opened to mixed reviews upon release. It eventually bombed commercially, becoming Akkineni's third consecutive failure.

In October 2021, his fourth film, the [[rom com]], ''[[Most Eligible Bachelor]]'' was released. It co-starred [[Pooja Hegde]] and was directed by ''[[Bommarillu]]'' and ''[[Parugu]]'' fame, [[Bhaskar (director)|Bhaskar]]. It was produced by [[Bunny Vas]] and [[Vasu Varma]], under [[Geetha Arts|GA2]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=28 August 2021|title=Akhil Akkineni-Pooja Hegde's Most Eligible Bachelor to hit screens on October 8|url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/telugu/news/2021/aug/28/akhil-akkineni-pooja-hegdes-most-eligible-bachelor-to-hit-screens-on-october-8-26313.html|website=[[Cinema Express]]}}</ref> It became a hit and gave Akkineni a long-awaited box office success.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/most-eligible-bachelor-hits-half-century-at-tollywood-box-office/articleshow/87481126.cms|title=Most Eligible Bachelor hits half century at box office |work=[[Times of India]]|date=2 November 2021 }}</ref>

Akkineni's next film, ''[[Agent (film)|Agent]]'', directed by [[Surender Reddy]] and produced by [[Anil Sunkara]], released on 28 April 2023. It was made on a huge budget of 80 crores. Upon release, it received highly negative reviews from both the critics and audience, alike. It had an extremely low opening and was a commercial disaster.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Agent movie review and box office collection LIVE updates: Akhil Akkineni's film opens to disappointing box office results |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/agent-movie-review-box-office-collection-live-updates-agent-review-rating-sakshi-vaidya-akhil-akkineni-mammootty-dino-morea-urvashi-rautela-agent-review/liveblog/99829993.cms |access-date=29 April 2023 |website=The Times of India}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
In 2016, Akkineni was engaged to Shriya Bhupal, grand-daughter of the business tycoon, [[G. V. Krishna Reddy]]. Their wedding was planned for 2017. However, it was later called off for undisclosed reasons.<ref>{{cite web|date=23 February 2017|title=Akhil Akkineni-Shriya Bhupal wedding called off: Is this the reason?|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/akhil-akkineni-shriya-bhupal-wedding-called-off-962178-2017-02-23|access-date=1 February 2021|website=India Today}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=23 February 2017|title=Real reason why Nagarjuna's son Akhil Akkineni, Shriya Bhupal called off wedding?|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/real-reason-why-nagarjuna-son-akhil-akkineni-shriya-bhupal-called-off-wedding-4539732/|access-date=7 July 2020|website=The Indian Express}}</ref>

He got engaged to [[Mumbai]]-based artist Zainab Ravdjee, the daughter of industrialist Zulfi Ravdjee, on 26 November 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-26 |title=Akhil Akkineni gets engaged to Zainab Ravdjee, see photos |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/akhil-akkineni-gets-engaged-to-zainab-ravdjee-see-photos-9691599/ |access-date=2024-11-26 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-26 |title=Nagarjuna announces son Akhil Akkineni's engagement to Zainab: Couldn't be happier |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/nagarjuna-son-akhil-akkineni-zainab-ravdjee-engagement-2640469-2024-11-26 |access-date=2024-11-26 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref> The couple tied the knot on 6 June 2025, in a traditional Telugu wedding ceremony held in [[Hyderabad]].<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2025-06-06 |title=Actor Akhil Akkineni ties the knot with Zainab Ravdjee |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/actor-akhil-akkineni-marries-zainab-ravdjee-entrepreneur-nagarjuna-naga-chaitanya-ram-charan/article69664144.ece |access-date=2025-06-06 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

== Filmography ==

{{Pending films key}}
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+List of films and roles
|-
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Title
! scope="col" | Role(s)
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Tooltip|Ref.|Reference(s)}}
|-
|1995
|''[[Sisindri]]''
|Sisindri
|Child artist
|<ref name=":1" />
|-
|2014
|''[[Manam (film)|Manam]]''
| rowspan="2" |Akhil
|Cameo appearance
|<ref>{{Cite web|date=25 May 2014|title=Nagarjuna's son Akhil Akkineni debuts in 'Manam'|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/140525/entertainment-tollywood/article/akhil-akkineni-debuts-manam|website=Deccan Chronicle}}</ref>
|-
| 2015
|''[[Akhil (film)|Akhil]]''
|Debut as adult lead actor
|<ref name=":2" />
|-
|2016
|''[[Aatadukundam Raa]]''
|Himself
|Special appearance in title song
|<ref>{{Cite web|date=18 August 2016|title=Akhil Cameo Role Teaser – Aatadukundam Raa Movie – Sushanth, Sonam Bajwa|url=https://www.ap7am.com/lv-231485-akhil-cameo-role-teaser-aatadukundam-raa-movie-sushanth-sonam-bajwa|website=ap7am.com|access-date=18 December 2021|archive-date=18 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211218051527/https://www.ap7am.com/lv-231485-akhil-cameo-role-teaser-aatadukundam-raa-movie-sushanth-sonam-bajwa|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
| 2017
|''[[Hello (2017 film)|Hello]]''
| Avinash / Seenu
|Also singer for "Yevevo"
|<ref>{{Cite web|date=23 December 2017|title=Hello movie review: Akhil Akkineni and Kalyani Priyadarshan starrer leave us with a heart full of good feelings|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/hello-movie-review-akhil-akkineni-kalyani-priyadarshan-star-rating-4992679/|website=The Indian Express}}</ref>
|-
| 2019
|''[[Mr. Majnu]]''
| Vikram "Vicky" Krishna
|
|<ref name=":3" />
|-
| 2021
| ''[[Most Eligible Bachelor]]''
| Harsha
|
|<ref name=":0" />
|-
| 2023
| ''[[Agent (film)|Agent]]''
| Ramakrishna "Ricky" / "Wild Saala"
|
|
|-
| 2026
| {{Pending film|Lenin}}
| {{TableTBA}}
| Pre-Production
|<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.news18.com/movies/on-akhil-akkinenis-birthday-tomorrow-makers-of-akhil-6-plan-grand-surprise-for-fans-aa-9290300.html | title=On Akhil Akkineni's Birthday Tomorrow, Makers of Akhil 6 Plan Grand Surprise for Fans }}</ref>
|}

== Awards and nominations ==
{{Infobox actor awards
| name = Akhil Akkineni
| image = 
| image_size = 
| alt = 
| caption = 
| wins = 6
| nominations = 6
}}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+List of awards and nominations
|-
! Year
! Award
! Category
! Film
! Result
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Tooltip|Ref.|References}}
|-
| 1995
| [[43rd Filmfare Awards South]]
| [[Filmfare Special Award – South|Special Award (Child actor)]]
| ''[[Sisindri]]''
| {{won}}
|style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{Citation|title=Sisindri Awards: List of Awards won by Telugu movie Sisindri|newspaper=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movie-details/sisindri/movieawards/61316219.cms|access-date=12 February 2021}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="4" | 2016
| [[63rd Filmfare Awards South]]
| [[Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut – South|Best Male Debut – South]]
| rowspan="4" | ''[[Akhil (film)|Akhil]]''
| {{won}}
|style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/Winners-of-63rd-Britannia-Filmfare-Awards-South-2016-Telugu/articleshow/52814271.cms|title=Winners of 63rd Britannia Filmfare Awards South 2016 (Telugu)|website=The Times of India|date=16 January 2017|access-date=25 December 2019}}</ref>
|-
| [[5th South Indian International Movie Awards]]
| [[SIIMA Award for Best Male Debut – Telugu|Best Male Debut – Telugu]]
| {{won}}
|style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{cite web|title=SIIMA 2016 Telugu movie nominations revealed; 'Baahubali,' 'Srimanthudu' lead the list5|website=[[International Business Times]]|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/siima-2016-telugu-movie-nominations-revealed-baahubali-srimanthudu-lead-list-680040|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160526120833/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/siima-2016-telugu-movie-nominations-revealed-baahubali-srimanthudu-lead-list-680040|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 May 2016}}</ref>
|-
| [[CineMAA Awards]] 2016
| [[CineMAA Awards|Best Male Debut]]
| {{won}}
|style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scooptimes.com/awards/list-winners-cinemaa-awards-2016-complete-details/4563|title=List of Winners CineMAA Awards 2016 – Complete Details|website=Scooptimes|date=12 June 2016|access-date=19 November 2019}}</ref>
|-
| [[14th Santosham Film Awards]]
| [[Santosham Film Awards|Best Debut Actor]]
| {{won}}
|style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scooptimes.com/awards/santosham-awards-2016-winners-list/5546|title=List of Winners Santosham Awards 2016 – Complete Details|website=Scooptimes|date=16 August 2016|access-date=19 November 2019}}</ref>
|-
| 2019
| [[T. Subbarami Reddy|TSR]] – [[TV9 (Telugu)|TV9]] National Film Awards
| Special Jury Award
||''[[Hello (2017 film)|Hello]]''
| {{won}}
|style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/balakrishna-nagarjuna-and-keerthy-suresh-among-tsr-tv9-film-award-winners-96844|title=Balakrishna, Nagarjuna and Keerthy Suresh among TSR-TV9 film award winners|website=The News Minute|date=16 February 2019|access-date=17 December 2019}}</ref>
|}
{{Clear}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* {{IMDb name}}
* {{Facebook}}

{{SIIMA Award for Best Male Debut – Telugu}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Akkineni, Akhil}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Akkineni–Daggubati family|Akhil Akkineni]]
[[Category:American male film actors]]
[[Category:Male actors from San Jose, California]]
[[Category:Male actors from Hyderabad, India]]
[[Category:Telugu male actors]]
[[Category:Male actors in Telugu cinema]]
[[Category:1994 births]]
[[Category:American people of Telugu descent]]
[[Category:American people of Bengali descent]]
[[Category:American people of Irish descent]]
[[Category:American male actors of Indian descent]]
[[Category:South Indian International Movie Awards winners]]
[[Category:University of South Florida alumni]]
[[Category:Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute alumni]]
[[Category:Santosham Film Awards winners]]
[[Category:American expatriate actors in India]]
[[Category:Expatriate male actors in India]]
[[Category:People with Overseas Citizenship of India]]