TrinaAshby9096 at 23:29, 7 February 2026

2026-02-07T23:29:29Z

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{{Short description|Indian film critic and actor (died 2021)}}
{{Family name hatnote|Kathi|lang=Telugu}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2018}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Kathi Mahesh
| image = Katti mahesh.jpg
| caption = Mahesh in 2021
| birth_name = Kathi Mahesh Kumar
| birth_date = {{birth based on age as of date|43|2021|7|10|noage=1}}
| birth_place = [[Chittoor district]], [[Andhra Pradesh]], [[India]]
| death_date = {{death date and given age|2021|7|10|43|df=y}}
| death_place = [[Chennai]], [[Tamil Nadu]], India
| alma_mater = [[Hyderabad Central University]]
| occupation = {{hlist|Critic|actor|writer|director}}
| style = [[Parallel cinema]]
| children = 1
}}
'''Kathi Mahesh Kumar''' (1977/78 – 10 July 2021)<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Chowdhary|first=Y. Sunita|date=28 January 2012|title=Vying for alternate existence|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/Vying-for-alternate-existence/article13384726.ece|access-date=27 June 2021|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Sudhir|first1=Uma|last2=Majumder|first2=Soumyajit|date=10 July 2018|title=Film Critic Banned From Hyderabad For Comments On Lord Ram, Sita|work=NDTV|url=https://www.ndtv.com/hyderabad-news/kathi-mahesh-film-critic-banned-from-hyderabad-for-comments-on-lord-ram-sita-1881053|access-date=27 June 2021}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=10 July 2021|title=Film critic Kathi Mahesh passes away|url=https://telanganatoday.com/film-critic-kathi-mahesh-passes-away|access-date=10 July 2021|website=Telangana Today|language=en-US}}</ref> was an Indian [[film critic]]<ref name=":6" /><ref>{{Cite news|title=RIP Kathi Mahesh: Actor-filmmaker-critic succumbs to injuries|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/rip-kathi-mahesh-actor-filmmaker-critic-succumbs-to-injuries/articleshow/84295429.cms|access-date=10 July 2021|website=The Times of India|date=10 July 2021 |language=en}}</ref> and actor working in [[Telugu cinema]]. He appeared on the Telugu [[reality TV]] show ''[[Bigg Boss Telugu|Bigg Boss]]''.

== Personal life ==
Kathi Mahesh Kumar hailed from Yellamanda, a village in Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news|date=16 July 2021|title=Mahesh Kathi's death: Dalit leader Manda Krishna alleges conspiracy, seeks probe|work=The News Minute|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/mahesh-kathis-death-dalit-leader-manda-krishna-alleges-conspiracy-seeks-probe-152417|access-date=21 July 2021}}</ref> He was born into a [[Dalit]] family and belonged to [[Madiga]] community.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|date=10 July 2021|title=Film critic Mahesh Kathi, who met with an accident, passes away|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/film-critic-mahesh-kathi-who-met-accident-passes-away-chennai-152105|access-date=21 July 2021|website=The News Minute|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Rao|first=Chandrasekhar|date=23 March 2021|title=Kathi Mahesh: తిరుపతిలో బీజేపీకి ఓడిపోవడానికి పవన్ కల్యాణ్ ఒక్కడు చాలు|trans-title=Kathi Mahesh: Pawan Kalyan is enough for BJP to lose in Tirupati|url=https://telugu.oneindia.com/news/tirupati/tirupati-bypoll-manda-krishna-madiga-likely-to-campaign-for-bjp-candidate-290396.html|access-date=21 July 2021|website=OneIndia Telugu|language=te}}</ref> He studied at [[Andhra Pradesh Residential School|AP Residential School]] at Gyarampalle near Piler.<ref name=":8">{{Cite news|last=K.|first=Umashanker|date=13 July 2021|title=Kathi Mahesh laid to rest at native Yalamanda|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/kathi-mahesh-laid-to-rest-at-native-yalamanda/article35291223.ece|access-date=21 July 2021|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> He studied MA Communication at [[Hyderabad Central University]] during 1998–2000.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news|date=14 July 2021|title=University of Hyderabad mourns the death of alumnus and film critic Kathi Mahesh|work=The News Minute|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/university-hyderabad-mourns-death-alumnus-and-film-critic-kathi-mahesh-152279|access-date=21 July 2021}}</ref>

Mahesh was a vocal supporter of [[Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy]] and [[YSR Congress Party]] in the past and spoke in favour of Jagan Mohan Reddy in several television debates.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news|date=2 July 2021|title=Andhra govt offers Rs 17 lakh for film critic Kathi Mahesh's treatment after accident|work=The News Minute|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/andhra-govt-offers-rs-17-lakh-film-critic-kathi-mahesh-s-treatment-after-accident-151646|access-date=10 July 2021}}</ref> He backed YSR Congress Party during the [[2021 elections in India#Parliamentary By-election|2021 bye-elections]] for the [[Tirupati (Lok Sabha constituency)|Tirupati Lok Sabha constituency]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=10 July 2021|title=Actor, film critic Kathi Mahesh dead|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/actor-film-critic-kathi-mahesh-dead/article35254019.ece|access-date=21 July 2021|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

==Career==
Mahesh started his career with ''Edari Varsham,'' based on [[Devarakonda Balagangadhara Tilak]]'s story ''Vuri Chivara Illu.<ref name=":0" />'' He was a co-writer of the film ''[[Minugurulu]],'' the "first Telugu script to be preserved in the Oscar Library's permanent core collection" and the first Telugu film to contend for the Academy Awards' best feature film (2014).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/telugu/article/102625.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140127131721/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/telugu/article/102625.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 January 2014 |title=Minugurulu Grabs Best Indian Film CIICFF - Telugu Movie News |website=Indiaglitz.com |date=25 January 2014 |accessdate=8 January 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/minugurulu-in-oscar-contenders-list-telugu-news-121833.html |title=Minugurulu in Oscar contenders list - Telugu Movie News |website=Indiaglitz.com |date=26 December 2014 |accessdate=8 January 2017}}</ref>

In his next film, the 2015 romantic comedy ''Pesarattu,'' he used flowcam technology popularized by [[Ram Gopal Varma]]. It was the first crowd funded short film in [[Telugu language|Telugu]].<ref name=":3">{{cite web|last=Rajamani|first=Radhika|date=6 February 2015|title=Telugu cinema never expanded into meaningful cinema|url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/telugu-cinema-never-expanded-into-meaningful-cinema-south/20150206.htm|access-date=27 June 2021|website=Rediff}}</ref> He played minor roles in the Telugu movies ''[[Hrudaya Kaleyam]]'' (2014), ''Kiss Kiss Bang Bang'' (2017), and ''[[Kobbari Matta]]'' (2019).<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|date=26 June 2021|title=Film critic Kathi Mahesh severely injured in car accident in Nellore|work=The News Minute|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/film-critic-kathi-mahesh-severely-injured-car-accident-nellore-151311|access-date=27 June 2021}}</ref>

In 2017, he appeared in season 1 of the Telugu reality show ''[[Bigg Boss (Telugu season 1)|Bigg Boss]]'', hosted by [[Jr. NTR]] and telecast on [[Star Maa]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Ch.|first=Sowmya Sruthi|date=6 August 2017|title=Bigg Boss Telugu, 5th August 2017, Episode 21 Update: Tarak announces Rs 50 lakh prize money; Siva Balaji, Mahesh Kathi and Dhanraj in safe zone|work=The Times of India|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/telugu/bigg-boss-telugu-5th-august-2017-episode-21-update-tarak-announces-rs-50-lakh-prize-money-siva-balaji-mahesh-kathi-and-dhanraj-in-safe-zone/articleshow/59938747.cms|access-date=27 June 2021}}</ref>

His last film, ''Egise Tarajuvvualu,'' touched on the need for developing scientific temperament among children.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|last=Pasupulate|first=Karthik|date=10 October 2017|title=Kathi Mahesh: Egise Tarajuvvalu is the only Telugu film in the race to vie for top honours at ICFFI|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/kathi-mahesh-egise-tarajuvvalu-is-the-only-telugu-film-in-the-race-to-vie-for-top-honours-at-icffi/articleshow/61008101.cms|access-date=27 June 2021|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref>

=== Criticism on Telugu films ===
Mahesh rose to prominence for his sharp and controversial reviews on Telugu films. He had been a panelist on television news channels, often defending rationalist views.<ref name=":7" /> He accuses Tollywood of being casteist and feels that Telugu films lack new ideas and fail to address social issues.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web|date=25 March 2017|title=For harsh review of 'Katamarayudu', a Telugu critic is getting threats from Pawan Kalyan fans|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/harsh-review-katamarayudu-telugu-critic-getting-threats-pawan-kalyan-fans-59246|access-date=21 July 2021|website=The News Minute|language=en}}</ref>

In March 2017, he critically reviewed [[Pawan Kalyan]]'s movie, ''[[Katamarayudu]]'', and called the movie "a badly written film" with "a predictable screenplay". He also said that the movie was sexist and has a lot of derogatory comments against women. Soon after, he was trolled online and cyberbullied with abuses and threats on his [[List of Facebook features#Wall|Facebook wall]], allegedly by Pawan Kalyan's fans.<ref name=":9" />

== Other works ==
Mahesh worked with UNICEF, World Bank, Save the Children and the Clinton Foundation.<ref name=":3" />

== Legal issues ==
Mahesh was banned from entering Hyderabad on 9 July 2018 for a period of six months by the Telangana police, under the Telangana Prevention of Anti-Social and Hazardous Activities Act, 1980, for allegedly calling [[Rama]] a "cheat" and claiming that [[Sita]] would have been better off with [[Ravana]], during a debate, about a sedition case filed against Babu Gogineni,<ref>{{Cite web|date=12 July 2021|title=Unconventional, controversial but Mahesh Kathi carved his space in a casteist world|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/unconventional-controversial-mahesh-kathi-carved-his-space-casteist-world-152169|access-date=21 July 2021|website=The News Minute|language=en}}</ref> in a regional news channel. He was dropped at his native place in Chittoor district by the police.<ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/telangana-police-ban-film-critic-mahesh-kathi-entering-hyd-6-months-84441|title=Telangana police ban film critic Mahesh Kathi from entering Hyd for 6 months|date=9 July 2018|publisher=}}</ref> He defended his comments citing his right to freedom of speech.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Kumar|first=Naveen|date=1 July 2018|title=I am free to say what I want, do not regret: Kathi Mahesh|work=Deccan Chronicle|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/crime/010718/i-am-free-to-say-what-i-want-do-not-regret-kathi-mahesh.html|access-date=27 June 2021}}</ref>

A case was filed against him in February 2020 for referring to Rama as having mistresses and Sita wishing to eat the golden deer Rama was chasing, during an anti-CAA event held in Osmania University, Hyderabad.<ref>{{Cite web|date=10 February 2020|title=Hyderabad police book film critic Mahesh Kathi for controversial comments on Hindu god|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/hyderabad-police-book-film-critic-mahesh-kathi-controversial-comments-hindu-god-117903|access-date=30 October 2020|website=The News Minute|language=en}}</ref>

== Death ==
On 25 June 2021, Mahesh met with an accident when his car collided with a truck near [[Nellore]], when he was travelling from [[Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh|Chittoor]] towards [[Hyderabad]]. He was admitted to Medicover Hospitals in Nellore with severe head and eye injuries. The hospital stated that his health was in critical condition and then he was shifted to the ICU.<ref name=":2" /> The [[government of Andhra Pradesh]] offered a financial support of {{Indian Rupee|17 lakhs|link=yes}} from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund for his treatment.<ref name=":4" /> He was shifted to [[Apollo Hospitals]] in [[Chennai]] for better treatment.<ref>{{Cite news|date=10 July 2021|title=Kathi Mahesh no more|work=Deccan Chronicle|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/tollywood/100721/kathi-mahesh-no-more.html|access-date=10 July 2021}}</ref> He died on 10 July at the age of 43.<ref name=":6" /><ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.abplive.com/entertainment/andhra-pradesh-telugu-actor-dalit-intellectual-kathi-mahesh-dies-at-43-1468710|title=Telugu Actor, Dalit Intellectual Kathi Mahesh Dies At 43; Sudheer Babu, Nani & Other Celebs Mourn His Death|work=adp LIVE|date=2021-07-10|access-date=2022-01-11}}</ref> He was survived by his wife and a son.<ref name=":8" /> His last rites were performed on 12 July at his native village of Yellamanda.<ref name=":8" />

==Filmography==
=== Films ===
==== As actor ====
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Film
! Role
! class="unsortable" | {{Tooltip|Ref.|Reference(s)}}
|-
| 2011
| ''Edari Varsham'' ||
|''<ref name=":0" />''
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2014
| ''[[Hrudaya Kaleyam]]'' ||Policeman
|
|-
| ''[[Maine Pyar Kiya (2014 film)|Maine Pyar Kiya]]'' || Junky ||
|-
| rowspan="2" |2017
| ''[[Nene Raju Nene Mantri]]'' ||Tea vendor
|
|-
|''Kiss Kiss Bang Bang''
|
|<ref name=":2" />
|-
| rowspan="2"|2019
| ''[[Kobbari Matta]]'' ||Farmer
|
|-
| ''[[Amma Rajyam Lo Kadapa Biddalu]]''
|Special Officer
|
|-
|rowspan="3"|2021
|[[Krack (film)|''Krack'']]
|Kathi
|
|-
|''Nepotism''
|
|
|-
|''[[A1 Express]]''
|News reporter
|
|}

====Other roles====
{| class="wikitable"
|- style="background:#B0C4DE; text-align:center;"
! rowspan="2" scope="col"| Year
! rowspan="2" scope="col" | Title
! scope="col" colspan="1"| Credited as
! rowspan="2" class="unsortable" scope="col" | Notes
|-
! Role
|-
| 2014 || ''[[Minugurulu]]'' ||{{partial|Co-writer}}
|
|-
| 2015
| ''[[Pesarattu (film)|Pesaratu]]'' || {{Yes|Director}}
|<ref name=":3" />
|-
|2017
| ''Egise Taarajuvvalu'' ||{{partial|Co-writer}}
|<ref name=":5" />
|-
|}

===Television===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Show
! Role
! Channel
! Result
|-
| 2017
| ''[[Bigg Boss (Telugu season 1)]]''
| Contestant
| [[Star Maa]]
| 12th place - evicted on day 27
|}

=== Dubbing artist===
*''[[Lakshmi (2018 film)|Lakshmi]]'' (2018; Telugu version) for Sam Paul

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{IMDb name|6806425}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mahesh, Kathi}}
[[Category:1970s births]]
[[Category:Year of birth uncertain]]
[[Category:2021 deaths]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian male actors]]
[[Category:Male actors in Telugu cinema]]
[[Category:Screenwriters from Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Telugu screenwriters]]
[[Category:Male actors from Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Telugu male actors]]
[[Category:Indian male film actors]]
[[Category:University of Hyderabad alumni]]
[[Category:People from Chittoor district]]

Kathi Mahesh - Revision history

TrinaAshby9096 at 23:29, 7 February 2026