Nani, born as Ghanta Naveen Babu, is an Indian actor, producer and television presenter known for his works in Telugu cinema. He was born in Hyderabad on February 24, 1984 and started out as a radio jockey or worked behind the scenes. In 2008, he appeared in Ashta Chamma for the first time as an actor. The dates for the combined shoot are expected to be revealed and these movies include Nani’s Eega, Bhale Bhale Magadivoy, Jersey, Dasara and Hi Nanna. The Paradise, his next big release, was directed by Srikanth Odela and opened in theatres on September 24, 2026.
Nani (Actor) Biography
Nani (born Ghanta Naveen Babu; 24 February 1984) is a Telugu-language film actor, producer and director from Hyderabad, Telangana. He worked as a clap assistant and assistant director before he turned actor. He also ventured into radio as a jockey host and served the show Non-Stop Nani on World Space Satellite. He made his acting debut with the 2008 romantic-comedy Ashta Chamma, under the direction of Mohan Krishna Indraganti. Nani went on to act in multiple Telugu films, and was a co-owner of the production company Wall Poster Cinema.
The Paradise Nani
The Paradise is among Nani’s big releases lined up for 2026. The period action drama, directed by Srikanth Odela, was released globally on 24 September 2026.
Nani is acting in the title role Jadal. The film is a fictional backdrop set in Secunderabad at some time during the 1980s and also features Raghav Juyal, Kayadu Lohar, Mohan Babu and Sonali Kulkarni.
The film also marks Nani’s second collaboration with director Srikanth Odela after Dasara.
Nani Quick Facts
| Particular | Details |
| Full Name | Ghanta Naveen Babu |
| Popular Name | Nani |
| Date of Birth | February 24, 1984 |
| Age in 2026 | 42 Years |
| Birthplace | Hyderabad, Telangana, India |
| Profession | Actor, Producer, Television Presenter |
| Industry | Telugu Cinema |
| Acting Debut | Ashta Chamma (2008) |
| Production House | Wall Poster Cinema |
| Popular Name | Natural Star |
| Wife | Anjana Yelavarthy |
| Son | Arjun Ghanta |
| Sister | Deepthi Ganta |
Nani Age
Nani was born on February 24, 1984. As of September 2026, he is 42 years old.
His birthday is celebrated by fans across India, particularly in the Telugu-speaking states where he has established a strong audience following.
Nani Height
| Height Measurement | Nani’s Height |
| Height in Feet | 5 feet 8 inches |
| Height in Inches | 70 inches |
| Height in Centimeters | 178 cm |
| Height in Meters | 1.73 m |
Published entertainment profiles generally list Nani’s height at around 178 cm.
Nani Family
Nani Early Life Nani was born in a Telugu family from Hyderabad. His parents were named as Rambabu Ghanta and Vijaya Lakshmi Ghanta.
His family has also created bonds with the entertainment industry. Nani’s sister Deepthi Ganta was once a director too with Meet Cute, and now Nani has made it his own as an actor and producer.
| Family Member | Name |
| Father | Rambabu Ghanta |
| Mother | Vijaya Lakshmi Ghanta |
| Sister | Deepthi Ganta |
| Wife | Anjana Yelavarthy |
| Son | Arjun Ghanta |
Nani Sister
Nani has a sibling sister and her name is Deepthi Ganta and they both on the way to come into entertainment.
The anthology number Meet Cute marks the directorial debut of Deepthi Ganta, produced by Nani and Prashanti Tipirneni under Wall Poster Cinema. As per reports by The Indian Express, Nani identified the film as an opportunity to present his sister in a new avatar, a director.
Meet Cute was then released as a Telugu anthology series directed by Deepthi Ganta for SonyLIV.
Nani Wife
Nani is married to Anjana Yelavarthy. The couple married in 2012 after being in a relationship for several years.
Anjana has largely maintained a private personal life but has occasionally appeared in media reports and social-media posts related to Nani and their family.
Ahead of The Paradise, Anjana publicly reflected on Nani’s long journey in cinema, including the difficult early period of his career.
| Particular | Details |
| Wife | Anjana Yelavarthy |
| Marriage Year | 2012 |
| Son | Arjun Ghanta |
| Profession/Work | Media and beauty/wellness entrepreneur |
Nani Son
Nani and his wife Anjana Yelavarthy have a son named Arjun Ghanta, who is affectionately called Junnu by the family.
Nani has spoken publicly about spending time with his son and family. In a 2020 interview, he discussed watching Arjun grow up during the pandemic period.
More recently, Nani has also spoken about how becoming a father influences the type of films and characters he chooses.
| Particular | Details |
| Son’s Name | Arjun Ghanta |
| Nickname | Junnu |
| Father | Nani |
| Mother | Anjana Yelavarthy |
Nani Education
Nani completed his schooling in Hyderabad and later attended Wesley Degree College, Secunderabad.
| Education Detail | Information |
| Schooling | Hyderabad |
| College | Wesley Degree College |
| Location | Secunderabad, Telangana |
| Qualification | Bachelor’s Degree |
Before becoming a full-time actor, Nani’s career included work as a radio jockey and film-production crew member.
Nani Career
There have been many chapters in Nani’s career.
He did several behind the scene jobs in films, such as clap assistant and assistant director. Next, he worked as a radio jockey whose name became well known due to his consumer-following appeal.
He made his * Ashta Chamma (2008)* debut in the film. It served as a platform for him to establish himself in the role of lead actor.
His subsequent films were Ride, Snehituda and Ala Modalaindi (2011), Eega, Yeto Vellipoyindhi Manasu (2012), Paisa (2014), Bhale Bhale Magadivoi (2015), Krishna Gaadi Veera Prema Gaadha and Gentleman and Nenu Local; – Ninnu Kori(2017) Jersey(2019) Shyam Singha Roy (2021) Dasara(2023) Hi nanna(Saripodhaa Sanivaaram){202}(outlook)(HIT: The Third Case)}}
Nani hosted the second season of Bigg Boss Telugu in 2018 as well.
Nani New Movie
| Movie | Role | Director | Release |
| The Paradise | Actor | Srikanth Odela | September 24, 2026 |
The Paradise is Nani’s latest theatrical release as of September 29, 2026. It was released in Telugu, Hindi and Tamil and features Nani alongside Raghav Juyal, Kayadu Lohar, Mohan Babu and Sonali Kulkarni.
Nani Latest Movie List
| Year | Movie | Nani’s Role |
| 2026 | The Paradise | Actor |
| 2025 | HIT: The Third Case | Actor |
| 2024 | Saripodhaa Sanivaaram | Actor |
| 2023 | Hi Nanna | Actor |
| 2023 | Dasara | Actor |
| 2022 | Ante Sundaraniki | Actor |
| 2021 | Shyam Singha Roy | Actor |
| 2021 | Tuck Jagadish | Actor |
| 2020 | V | Actor |
| 2019 | Jersey | Actor |
Nani Movies List
| Year | Movie |
| 2008 | Ashta Chamma |
| 2009 | Ride |
| 2009 | Snehituda |
| 2010 | Bheemili Kabaddi Jattu |
| 2011 | Ala Modalaindi |
| 2011 | Pilla Zamindar |
| 2012 | Eega |
| 2012 | Yeto Vellipoyindhi Manasu |
| 2013 | Paisa |
| 2014 | Aaha Kalyanam |
| 2015 | Janda Pai Kapiraju |
| 2015 | Yevade Subramanyam |
| 2015 | Bhale Bhale Magadivoy |
| 2016 | Krishna Gaadi Veera Prema Gaadha |
| 2016 | Gentleman |
| 2016 | Majnu |
| 2017 | Nenu Local |
| 2017 | Ninnu Kori |
| 2017 | Middle Class Abbayi |
| 2018 | Krishnarjuna Yudham |
| 2019 | Jersey |
| 2019 | Gang Leader |
| 2020 | V |
| 2021 | Tuck Jagadish |
| 2021 | Shyam Singha Roy |
| 2022 | Ante Sundaraniki |
| 2022 | Dasara |
| 2023 | Hi Nanna |
| 2024 | Saripodhaa Sanivaaram |
| 2025 | HIT: The Third Case |
| 2026 | The Paradise |
Nani’s filmography includes a mix of romantic dramas, comedies, thrillers, action films and experimental projects. His filmography records his 2008 debut with Ashta Chamma and his subsequent progression through films such as Eega, Bhale Bhale Magadivoy, Jersey, Dasara and Saripodhaa Sanivaaram.
Nani Best Movies
Rather than ranking his films, the following are some of Nani’s most notable and widely discussed performances:
| Movie | Year | Genre / Key Feature |
| Ala Modalaindi | 2,011 | Romantic Comedy |
| Eega | 2012 | Fantasy Action |
| Bhale Bhale Magadivoy | 2015 | Comedy |
| Jersey | 2019 | Sports Drama |
| Shyam Singha Roy | 2021 | Period Drama |
| Dasara | 2023 | Action Drama |
| Hi Nanna | 2023 | Family Romance |
| Saripodhaa Sanivaaram | 2024 | Action Thriller |
Nani as a Producer
With producer Prashanti Tipirneni, Nani is also in the business behind the camera through Wall Poster Cinema.
The banner has made films and projects such as Awe!, HIT: The First Case, HIT: The Second Case, Meet Cute And Court – (State vs a Nobody.)
Nani: Nani has worked as a producer to support various genres and new filmmakers. Directed by Deepthi Ganta, his sister’s Meet Cute was also made under the Wall Poster Cinema banner.
| Production | Year | Nani’s Role |
| D for Dopidi | 2,013 | Producer/Co-Producer |
| Awe! | 2018 | Producer |
| HIT: The First Case | 2020 | Producer |
| HIT: The Second Case | 2022 | Producer |
| Meet Cute | 2022 | Producer |
| Court – State vs a Nobody | 2025 | Producer |
The Paradise Box Office Collection, Nani
The Paradise got its worldwide premiere on September 24, 2026. Multiple trade reports say that it is the biggest theatrical opening of Nani’s career.
The movie fetched ₹34.65 crore India web on Day 1, whereas its world wide opening was in the ₹76–77 crore range, depending upon the reporting methodology as per reports.
On Day 5, the worldwide gross is estimated to be around ₹144.85 crore, according to trade reports. India net numbers differ marginally, with reports between ₹96.72-₹97.10 crore by how monitoring updates. As a result, those readers should consider these to be trade estimates as opposed to final HS audited figures.
The Paradise Day-Wise Box Office Collection
| Day | Date | India Net Collection |
| Day 0 / Paid Previews | September 23, 2026 | ₹11.60 crore |
| Day 1 | September 24, 2026 | ₹34.65 crore |
| Day 2 | September 25, 2026 | ₹14.90 crore |
| Day 3 | September 26, 2026 | ₹15.25 crore |
| Day 4 | September 27, 2026 | ₹15.70 crore |
| Day 5 | September 28, 2026 | Approx. ₹4.62–5 crore |
| Total through Day 5 | Approx. ₹96.72–97.10 crore |
The Day-5 decline was substantial, with trade reports attributing the drop to the first weekday after the opening weekend.
Nani Upcoming Movies
Nani has several projects in development or pre-production following The Paradise.
| Upcoming Project | Director | Expected Period | Nani’s Role |
| Bloody Romeo | Sujeeth | 2027 | Actor |
| Untitled Venky Atluri Project | Venky Atluri | 2027 | Actor |
| Untitled Cibi Chakravarthi Project | Cibi Chakravarthi | 2027 | Actor |
| HIT: The Fourth Case | Sailesh Kolanu | 2026/27 | Producer |
| Chiru Odela Cinema | Srikanth Odela | 2026/27 | Producer |
Recent industry reports say Nani is expected to begin work on Bloody Romeo around October 2026, with a summer 2027 release being targeted. Reports also identify projects with Venky Atluri and Cibi Chakravarthi in his post-Paradise lineup.
Release dates for projects that have not received a formal official announcement should be treated as tentative.
Nani Net Worth
Nani does not disclose his actual personal net worth to the official sources. Because nobody, in entertainment or business publications, has sourced audited numbers.
In 2026, a Times of India report estimated his wealth to be about ₹150 crore, and that he received an amount around ₹30 crore from each film [[1] [2]] with other reports in the same category placing him between ₹150–200 crore.
Rather than presenting them as confirmed financial facts, it is probably more accurate to refer to these figures simply as media estimates.
| Financial Detail | Reported Information |
| Estimated Net Worth | Around ₹150 crore according to Times of India |
| Other Media Estimates | Around ₹150–200 crore |
| Reported Film Fee | Around ₹30 crore |
| Main Income Sources | Films, production, endorsements and investments |
| Financial Status | Estimates only; not officially disclosed |
Nani Awards and Achievements
Nani has received several major awards and nominations during his career.
| Award | Achievement |
| Nandi Awards | Best Actor for Yeto Vellipoyindhi Manasu |
| Nandi Awards | Special Jury Award for Gentleman |
| Filmfare Awards South | Critics Award for Bhale Bhale Magadivoy |
| Filmfare Awards South | Critics Award for Shyam Singha Roy |
| Filmfare Awards South | Best Actor for Dasara |
| SIIMA Awards | Multiple recognitions |
| Toronto After Dark Film Festival | Best Hero for Eega |
| Critics’ Choice Film Awards | Best Actor for Jersey |
Award databases currently list Nani with multiple wins across Filmfare, Nandi, SIIMA and other award bodies.
Nani Social Media
Nani is active on social media and uses his online platforms to share film updates, promotional material and occasional personal moments.
| Platform | Account |
| @nameisnani | |
| X / Twitter | @NameisNani |
| @ActorNaniOfficial |
For an SEO article, it is advisable to link only to Nani’s verified/official social-media profiles rather than fan pages.
Interesting Facts About Nani
- Nani’s real name is Ghanta Naveen Babu.
- He was born in Hyderabad in 1984.
- Before becoming an actor, he worked as a radio jockey.
- He also worked behind the scenes as a clap assistant and assistant director.
- His acting debut was Ashta Chamma in 2008.
- He is popularly known as the Natural Star.
- He has worked as an actor, producer and television presenter.
- His sister Deepthi Ganta became a director with Meet Cute.
- Nani hosted Bigg Boss Telugu Season 2 in 2018.
- His production banner is Wall Poster Cinema.
- Nani has produced films in different genres, including the HIT franchise.
- He has acted in films across romantic, comedy, action, thriller and family-drama genres.
- Eega became one of the notable early films in his career.
- Jersey earned Nani major critical recognition.
- The Paradise is his second collaboration with director Srikanth Odela after Dasara.
Conclusion
Nani, who has also made a career for himself as an actor and through his work in television and film production. He began his journey as a radio jockey and went on to become one of the top actors in Telugu film industry. Some of his films are Eega, Bhale Bhale Magadivoy, Jersey, Shyam Singha Roy, Dasara, Hi Nanna and Saripodhaa Sanivaaram. He has also delved into film production with Through Wall Poster Cinema. The Paradise was a crucial entry in his immediate filmography in 2026, gearing up with solid opening weekend numbers and reportedly making somewhere close to ₹144 crore globally by Day 5.
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FAQs About Nani
Who is Nani?
Nani is the professional name of Ghanta Naveen Babu, an Indian actor, producer and television presenter who predominantly works in Telugu cinema.
What is Nani’s real name?
Nani’s real name is Ghanta Naveen Babu.
How old is Nani in 2026?
Nani was born on February 24, 1984, making him 42 years old in 2026.
What is Nani’s height?
Nani’s height is commonly reported as approximately 178 cm or 5 feet 10 inches.
Who is Nani’s wife?
Nani’s wife is Anjana Yelavarthy. They married in 2012.
Does Nani have a son?
Yes. Nani and Anjana have a son named Arjun Ghanta, who is also called Junnu.
Who is Nani’s sister?
Nani’s sister is Deepthi Ganta, who directed the anthology Meet Cute.
What was Nani’s first movie?
Nani made his acting debut with ** Ashta Chamma in 2008**.
What is Nani’s latest movie?
As of September 2026, Nani’s latest theatrical release is ** The Paradise**, directed by Srikanth Odela.
