# Priyadarshi Pulikonda

Priyadarshi Pulikonda is an Indian actor and comedian who works in Telugu films. He gained recognition for his role in Pelli Choopulu (2016). In addition to supporting roles, Priyadarshi played the lead in films such as Mallesham (2019), Mithai (2019), and Balagam (2023). His performance in Mallesham (2019) appeared in the "100 Greatest Performances of the Decade" by Film Companion.

## Early and personal life

Priyadarshi was born in a Telugu family in KHAMMAM, India to Pulikonda Subbachary, a professor and Jayalakshmi. Priyadarshi's parents shifted to Hyderabad when he was 2 years old and they have been living there since then. They lived in the Old City until he was 10 and later moved to Gachibowli. They now live in Chandanagar. He did his Bachelor of Science in Statistics from MNR Degree & PG College and has a postgraduate degree in Mass Communication from the University of Hyderabad.
Priyadarshi married writer Richa Sharma in 2018, who was his senior at the University of Hyderabad.

## Career

Priyadarshi played the role of a terrorist in the 2016 film Terror which was met with critical acclaim. He gained significance for his portrayal of Kaushik in the successful 2016 romantic comedy Pelli Choopulu. The film was praised for story line, performances and clean humour and Priyadarshi was praised for his speech in Telangana Baasha in the film. He has acted in a web series Loser in which he played the role of a rifle shooter. His performance was appreciated by critics.
In an interview with The Hindu, he said he was inspired to become an actor after watching Sagara Sangamam, calling it a "paradigm shift". He is a fan of actors Kamal Haasan and Chiranjeevi, and directors K. Balachander, K. Viswanath, and Singeetam Srinivasa Rao.
Besides working in several short films, he has appeared in Jai Lava Kusa, which stars NTR Jr., Nivetha Thomas and Raashi Khanna. He also appeared in the Mahesh Babu starrer Spyder, directed by AR Murugadoss.

## Filmography
### Telugu films

| Year | Title | Role |
| 2016 | Terror | Terrorist |
| 2016 | Pelli Choopulu | Kaushik |
| 2016 | Bommala Ramaram | Ramanna |
| 2017 | Ghazi | Lt. Nilesh Mishra |
| 2017 | Winner | |
| 2017 | Arjun Reddy | Lawyer |
| 2017 | Keshava | Keshava's friend |
| 2017 | Mister | Doctor |
| 2017 | Babu Baga Busy | |
| 2017 | Darsakudu | |
| 2017 | Yuddham Sharanam | Alex |
| 2017 | Jai Lava Kusa | Obulesh ‘Obs’ |
| 2017 | Spyder | Vinay |
| 2017 | Vunnadhi Okate Zindagi | Sathish |
| 2017 | Egise Tarajuvvalu | Somaraju |
| 2017 | Middle Class Abbayi | Darshi |
| 2017 | Idi Maa Prema Katha | |
| 2018 | Rangula Ratnam | Vishnu's friend |
| 2018 | Kanam | Sub Inspector Agni |
| 2018 | Tholi Prema | Ravi |
| 2018 | Manasuku Nachindi | Sarath |
| 2018 | Awe | Nala |
| 2018 | Nela Ticket | Lawyer Yadagiri |
| 2018 | W/O Ram | Police Officer Chary |
| 2018 | Padi Padi Leche Manasu | Darshi |
| 2019 | F2 | Darshi |
| 2019 | Mr. Majnu | Chitti |
| 2019 | Mallesham | Chintakindi Mallesham |
| 2019 | 1st Rank Raju | Chintu |
| 2019 | Mithai | Jani |
| 2019 | Brochevarevarura | Rocky |
| 2019 | Gang Leader | Ramakrishna |
| 2019 | Rama Chakkani Seetha | Pushkar |
| 2020 | World Famous Lover | Gautham's friend |
| 2020 | Bombhaat | Karun |
| 2020 | Guvva Gorinka | Raghuram |
| 2021 | Mail | Hybath |
| 2021 | Naandhi | Radha Prakash |
| 2021 | Jathi Ratnalu | Jogipet Sekhar |
| 2021 | A1 Express | Darshi |
| 2021 | Ichata Vahanamulu Niluparadu | Puli |
| 2021 | WWW | Ashraf |
| 2022 | Radhe Shyam | Subbarao |
| 2022 | Sita Ramam | Journalist Marthandam |
| 2022 | Oke Oka Jeevitham | Chaitanya "Chaitu" |
| 2022 | Gurthunda Seethakalam | Dev's friend |
| 2023 | Balagam | Saayilu |
| 2023 | Mangalavaaram | Ravi |
| 2023 | Hi Nanna | Justin |
| 2024 | Thappinchuku Thiruguvadu Dhanyudu Sumathi | |
| 2024 | Om Bheem Bush | Vinay Gummadi |
| 2024 | Darling | Raghava |
| 2024 | 35 Chinna Katha Kaadu | Chanakya Varma |
| 2025 | Game Changer | Ram's friend |
| 2025 | Court – State vs a Nobody | Surya Teja |
| 2025 | Sarangapani Jathakam † | Sarangapani |

#### Voice actor

| Year | Title | Actor | Notes | Ref. |
| 2018 | Gang | RJ Balaji | Telugu dubbed version | |
| 2019 | Frozen 2 | Olaf | Telugu dubbed version | |

### Other language films

| Year | Title | Role | Language |
| 2017 | The Ghazi Attack | Lt. Nilesh Mishra | Hindi |
| 2017 | Take Off | Indian in Iraq | Malayalam |
| 2017 | Spyder | Madhu | Tamil |
| 2018 | NOTA | Wong | Tamil |
| 2022 | Radhe Shyam | Subbarao | Hindi |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Network |
| 2020–present | Loser | Suri Yadav | ZEE5 |
| 2020 | Story Discussion | DOP | Avanti Cinema |
| 2021 | In the Name of God | Aadi | Aha |
| 2021 | Unheard | Badri | Disney+ Hotstar |
| 2023–present | Save the Tigers | Ghanta Ravi | Disney+ Hotstar |

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
| 2016 | 2nd IIFA Utsavam | Best Performance In A Comic Role – Telugu | Pelli Choopulu | Won |
| 2017 | 7th South Indian International Movie Awards | Best Comedian – Telugu | Pelli Choopulu | Won |
| 2019 | Radio City Cine Awards S2 | Best Comedian | Tholi Prema | Won |
| 2020 | Zee Cine Awards Telugu | Best Comedian | Brochevarevarura | Won |
| 2020 | Critics' Choice Film Awards | Best Actor – Male | Mallesham | Nominated |
| 2021 | 9th South Indian International Movie Awards | Best Comedian – Telugu | Brochevarevarura | Nominated |