Nikhil Siddhartha (born 1 June 1985) is a Telugu film actor from India. He had minor roles in several films before being cast as one of the four male leads in Happy Days (2007). The film was a success, and it gave him his breakthrough role. Later in his career, he starred in films such as Yuvatha (2008), Swamy Ra Ra (2013), Karthikeya (2014), Surya vs Surya (2015), Ekkadiki Pothavu Chinnavada (2016), Kesava (2017), Arjun Suravaram (2019), Karthikeya 2 (2022), and 18 Pages (2022).
Early years
Nikhil Siddhartha was born in Begumpet, a Hyderabad neighborhood in modern-day Telangana, India. Kavali Shyam Siddhartha's father is from Mahbubnagar, Telangana. He attended Hyderabad Public School before graduating from Muffakham Jah College of Engineering and Technology. His father died on April 28, 2022, after an eight-year battle with a rare disease called corticobasal degeneration.
Career
Nikhil began his career as an assistant director on the film Hyderabad Nawabs (2006). Before being cast in Happy Days, he had minor roles in several films (2007). Nikhil played one of the four leads in the film, which was directed by Sekhar Kammula. He received a remuneration of $25,000 for his role in the film, and he still has the check. Happy Days was one of the few low-budget films released in 2007 that went on to become one of the year's most successful films.
Ankit, Pallavi & Friends was his first film as a solo lead (2008). Following that, he appeared in films such as Yuvatha (2008), Kalavar King (2010), Aalasyam Amrutham (2010), and Veedu Theda (2011). (2011).
His 2013 film Swamy Ra Ra was a commercial success, ushering in a new era in his career in which he began choosing unique scripts over standard commercial fare. Karthikeya (2014), his next film, was a critical and commercial success. It grossed more than 20 crore at the box office despite being made on a budget of 4-6 crore.
In 2017, Nikhil reunited with Swamy Ra Ra director Sudheer Varma for Keshava, a revenge drama in which Nikhil plays a character with the rare congenital disorder Dextrocardia who wants to avenge his family's death. The film was released on May 19, 2017, and it received positive reviews for Nikhil's performance, musical score, visuals, and plot backdrop.
Kirrak Party (2018), a remake of Kannada Kirik Party (2016), starred Samyuktha Hegde and Simran Pareenja and was directed by Sharan Koppisetty. The film did poorly at the box office. Sudheer Varma wrote the screenplay for the film, and Chandoo Mondeti wrote the dialogue. Arjun Suravaram, his next film, was a commercial success. Nikhil entered the 100 Crore Club with the 2022 film Karthikeya 2.
Private life
On May 14, 2020, Nikhil married Pallavi Varma.
 | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
| Year | Title | Role(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Sambaram | Driver | Uncredited |
| 2006 | Hyderabad Nawabs | College Boy | Also assistant director |
| 2007 | Happy Days | Rajesh | |
| 2008 | Ankit, Pallavi & Friends | Ankit | |
| Yuvatha | Babu | ||
| 2010 | Kalavar King | Rajesh | |
| Om Shanti | Teja | ||
| Aalasyam Amrutam | Ram | ||
| 2011 | Veedu Theda | 'Katthi' Seenu | |
| 2012 | Disco | Disco | |
| 2013 | Swamy Ra Ra | Surya | |
| 2014 | Karthikeya | Karthikeya "Karthik" Kumaraswamy | |
| 2015 | Surya vs Surya | Surya | |
| Sankarabharanam | Gautham | ||
| 2016 | Ekkadiki Pothavu Chinnavada | Arjun | |
| Donga Police | Bobby | ||
| 2017 | Keshava | Keshava | |
| 2018 | Kirrak Party | Krishna | |
| 2019 | Arjun Suravaram | Arjun Lenin Suravaram | |
| 2022 | Karthikeya 2 | Karthikeya "Karthik" Kumaraswamy | |
| 18 Pages | Siddhu | ||
| 2023 | Spy | TBA | Completed |
| Bio/Wiki | |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Chewi |
| Profession | Actor |
| Famous role | Playing the role of Karthikeya Karthik Kumaraswamy in the Telugu film Karthikeya (2014) and its 2022 sequel |
| Physical Stats & More | |
| Height (approx.) | in centimeters- 178 cm in meters- 1.78 m in feet & inches- 5’ 10” |
| Weight (approx.) | in kilograms- 75 kg in pounds- 165 lbs |
| Body Measurements (approx.) | - Chest: 42 Inches - Waist: 33 Inches - Biceps: 16 Inches |
| Eye Colour | Dark Brown |
| Hair Colour | Black |
| Career | |
| Debut | Film (Telugu; as a supporting actor): Hyderabad Nawabs (2006) as a college boy Film (Telugu; as a lead actor): Happy Days (2007) as Rajesh |
| Awards | • 2017: Youth Magical Award at the 49th Cinegoers Association Film Awards • 2022: 50 Days Shield Award for the film Karthikeya 2 |
| Personal Life | |
| Date of Birth | 1 June 1985 (Saturday) |
| Age (as of 2022) | 37 Years |
| Birthplace | Begumpet, Hyderabad, India [2]The Times of India |
| Zodiac sign | Gemini |
| Signature |  |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Hometown | Begumpet, Hyderabad, India |
| School | • Hyderabad Public School in Begumpet, Hyderabad • St. Patrick's High School in Secunderabad, Hyderabad [3]The Times of India |
| College/University | Muffakham Jah College of Engineering and Technology in Hyderabad |
| Educational Qualification | A bachelor's degree in engineering [4]The New Indian Express |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Caste | Yadava [5]OP India |
| Food Habit | Non-vegetarian |
| Hobbies | Reading books, travelling, and cycling |
| Relationships & More | |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Marriage Date | 14 May 2020 |
| Marriage Place | A farmhouse in Shamirpet, Hyderabad |
| Family | |
| Wife/Spouse | Pallavi Varma (doctor) |
| Parents | Father- Kavali Shyam Siddhartha (professor, died on 28 April 2022) Mother- Veena Siddhartha (former principal of a school) |
| Siblings | Brother- Rohit Siddhartha Sister- Sonali Siddhartha |
| Favourites | |
| Web series | The Family Man, Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, and Sacred Games |
| Actor(s) | Shah Rukh Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, Pawan Kalyan, Vijay, Mohanlal, and Puneeth Rajkumar |
| Actress | Bhumika Chawla |
| Film(s) | Andaz Apna Apna (1994), Sholay (1975), and 3 Idiots (2009) |
| Football Club | Arsenal |
| Director(s) | S. S. Rajamouli and Rajkumar Hirani |
| Holiday Destination(s) | Dubai and London |
| Style Quotient | |
| Car Collection | • Range Rover • Mercedes-Benz CLA Sports car |
In the first year of my BE, I was very diligent and never missed a class but after that, I discovered my calling is elsewhere. I had performed in a skit during one of the cultural events at college and it was well received. I started by visiting the sets often. This gave me an idea of how things actually work in Tollywood.” [7]The New Indian Express
Being from a Yadava Community, my family would always celebrate Krishnashtami in a very big way as it was the main festival in our family.” [9]OP India
It was in 2007 that director Sekhar Kammula gave me a break. It’s very difficult for an outsider to get a break, especially in the Telugu film industry. Either you need to be a star kid, or a movie family associate. But, Kammula is such a genuine person that he auditioned all newcomers, gave four people a break, and the movie turned out to be a blockbuster. It gave life to so many actors. I was lucky because 1.2 lakh people auditioned for that movie and only four of us were selected to play the lead roles. It was like being 1 in 25,000 or more. [10]The Times of India
He gave me a cheque of Rs 25,000/- which I remembered till now, and still I am keeping the cheque with me.”
I was born in a nursing home in Begumpet and went to HPS, my grandmother also lives there and I still live there. I am pretty much made in Begumpet.” [11]The Times of India
Karthikeya 2 was initially slated to hit theatres on July 22, but that date was later changed to August 12. As the producers are now required to reschedule the release for October starting on this date. The powerless situation made me cry.” [12]The Times of India
Nikhil Siddhartha holding a glass of champagne
I am a huge Shahrukh Khan fan from the ‘Fauji’ and ‘Circus’ (television shows) time. I have watched every interview of his and learnt how he came from outside and became the King of Bollywood.” [15]Outlook
It’s an arranged marriage as Nikhil’s parents saw the girl first and liked her. Afterwards, Nikhil met and liked her too. They are now planning an engagement in a few days’ time. Now that his career is going strong and he is in the safe zone, he finally agreed to his parents’ wish.” [17]Deccan Chronicle
In 2022, it was reported that after the immense success of Nikhil’s Telugu film Karthikeya 2 at the box office, he was approached by some Hindi filmmakers to make a debut in Bollywood. In an interview, he expressed his excitement about being approached by the directors of Hindi cinema and said,My first choice is that the film I work in should reach out to different people and they should be liked. But if I tell you honestly, I have got offers of films from two big production houses of Hindi cinema. Although I cannot reveal his name right now.” [18]ABP Live
