# Venu Yeldandi

Venu Yeldandi, is an Indian actor and director who works in Telugu cinema. He made his acting debut with Jai (2004) and directorial debut with Balagam (2023) for which he won the Filmfare Award for Best Director – Telugu.

## Career

He worked as a junior artist in many films for small roles as a comedian starting with Jai (2004). His first major role was in Munna (2007) as Tillu. He also was a part of the comedy television series Jabardasth.
In 2014, during filming of the series, Yelandi and his team were attacked by a group who were offended by the portrayal of their caste in the scenes being filmed. The police arrested Yeldandi and others involved. Both Venu and the community leaders lodged official complaints, each claiming the other party was at fault. Yelandi was charged under Section 509 (insulting the modesty of a woman) and 323 (causing hurt), while members of the community who attacked the group were charged under Section 341 (wrongful restraint).
He worked as a ghost writer for Rudhramadevi (2015) and Jai Lava Kusa (2017).
Yelandi's directorial debut was with his film Balagam.

## Partial filmography
### As an actor

| Year | Title | Role(s) | Notes |
| 2004 | Jai | Student | |
| 2005 | Dhairyam | Prakash | |
| 2006 | Ranam | Bhagawati's henchmen | |
| 2006 | Kedi | Raghu's friend | Tamil film |
| 2006 | Seethakoka Chiluka | | |
| 2007 | Jagadam | Nalla Mahesh | |
| 2007 | Munna | Tillu | |
| 2007 | Takkari | Tirupathi's friend | |
| 2007 | Godava | College student | |
| 2008 | Kantri | | |
| 2008 | Kathanayakudu | | |
| 2008 | Siddu from Sikakulam | Dose Babu | |
| 2008 | Ankit, Pallavi & Friends | Sunil | |
| 2008 | Dongala Bandi | | |
| 2008 | King | Bottu Seenu's henchman | |
| 2009 | Kurradu | Kumar | |
| 2010 | Sadhyam | | |
| 2010 | Maro Charitra | Balu and Sandhya's coworker | |
| 2010 | Young India | Mr. Jaffa | |
| 2010 | Don Seenu | Bar waiter | |
| 2010 | Kathi Kantha Rao | Nalla Sreenu | |
| 2011 | Parama Veera Chakra | | |
| 2011 | Naaku O Lovervundi | | |
| 2011 | Pilla Zamindar | Bangkok | |
| 2012 | Neeku Naaku Dash Dash | Bapineedu's sidekick | |
| 2012 | Daruvu | | |
| 2012 | Sudigadu | Auto driver | |
| 2012 | Lucky | Lucky's friend | |
| 2012 | Genius | | |
| 2013 | Jabardasth | Dance master | |
| 2013 | Jaffa | Venu Bongula | |
| 2013 | Shadow | Drunkard | |
| 2013 | 1000 Abaddalu | Satya's friend | |
| 2013 | Adda | | |
| 2013 | Attarintiki Daredi | Sashi's kidnapper | |
| 2013 | Madhumati | | |
| 2014 | Race Gurram | Drunkard | |
| 2014 | Billa Ranga | | |
| 2014 | Galata | | |
| 2014 | Maine Pyar Kiya | Naveen's friend | |
| 2014 | Ra Ra Krishnayya | | |
| 2014 | Alludu Seenu | Lungi Baba's friend | |
| 2014 | Boochamma Boochodu | | |
| 2014 | Dikkulu Choodaku Ramayya | | |
| 2014 | The End | Watchman | |
| 2014 | Lakshmi Raave Maa Intiki | | |
| 2015 | Beeruva | | |
| 2015 | Tiger | Tiger's friend | |
| 2015 | Mantra 2 | | |
| 2015 | Mirchi Lanti Kurradu | | |
| 2015 | Bruce Lee: The Fighter | Bruce Lee's friend | |
| 2015 | Bhale Manchi Roju | Eesu | |
| 2016 | Sardaar Gabbar Singh | | |
| 2016 | Okka Ammayi Thappa | | |
| 2016 | Babu Bangaram | | |
| 2017 | Kittu Unnadu Jagratha | | |
| 2017 | Nakshatram | | |
| 2017 | Mahanubhavudu | | |
| 2017 | Gulf | Somulu | |
| 2017 | Prematho Mee Karthik | | |
| 2018 | Raa Raa | | |
| 2018 | Brand Babu | Diamond Babu's assistant | |
| 2018 | Nannu Dochukunduvate | Giri | |
| 2018 | Anaganaga O Premakatha | | |
| 2019 | Okate Life | Vicky | |
| 2019 | Vajra Kavachadhara Govinda | | |
| 2019 | Rajdooth | Donka | |
| 2020 | Wife, I | Varma's friend | |
| 2021 | Drushyam 2 | Auto driver | |
| 2023 | Balagam | Narsi | |
| 2023 | Ranga Maarthaanda | | |
| 2023 | Nireekshana | Cheenu | Only dubbed version released |
| 2023 | Bhola Shankar | Shankar's friend | |
| 2024 | Darling | Baba | |

### As director

| Year | Title | Notes |
| 2023 | Balagam | Won—Filmfare Award for Best Director – Telugu |

### As producer

* Bhagyanagara Veedhullo Gammattu (2019; co-producer)

### Television

| Year | Work | Role | Network |
| 2013 | Jabardasth | Various | ETV |
| 2023 | Save the Tigers | Raghava | Disney+ Hotstar |