Saturday, 17 October 2026
Ravi Teja - Biography, Stats, and Career Highlights

Ravi Teja

Actor • Film Producer

Ravi Teja, known to fans as ‘Mass Maharaja’, is one of Telugu cinema’s most energetic and popular stars. Famous for his rapid-fire dialogue, comic timing and action, he has delivered hits such as Idiot, Vikramarkudu, Kick, Krack and Dhamaka.

His story is one of the industry’s great self-made journeys: he started as an assistant director and in small supporting roles before becoming a leading man without any film-family background.

Profession
Actor, Film Producer
Known for
Idiot, Vikramarkudu, Kick, Krack, Dhamaka, Waltair Veerayya
Age
58
Date of birth
1968-01-26
Birthplace
Jaggampeta, Andhra Pradesh, India
Nationality
Indian

Ravi Teja Quick Facts

Full NameBhupatiraju Ravi Shankar Raju
Popular NameMass Maharaja
ProfessionActor, Film Producer
Date of Birth26 January 1968
Age58 years (as of 2026)
BirthplaceJaggampeta, Andhra Pradesh, India
NationalityIndian
Years Active1990–present
Lead BreakthroughNee Kosam (1999)
Star-Making FilmIdiot (2002)
Known ForIdiot, Vikramarkudu, Kick, Krack, Dhamaka, Waltair Veerayya
SpouseKalyani (m. 2002)
ChildrenDaughter Mokshadha, son Mahadhan
Production HouseRT Teamworks

Ravi Teja Career in Numbers

Here is a quick look at Ravi Teja’s career in numbers.

MilestoneDetails
Films70+
Career Span1990–present
Career-Highest GrosserDhamaka (2022)
Nandi Awards3
ProductionRT Teamworks

Early Life and Family

Ravi Teja was born Bhupatiraju Ravi Shankar Raju on 26 January 1968 in Jaggampeta, Andhra Pradesh. Because of his father’s job, the family moved around and he grew up in several places, including Jabalpur and Vijayawada.

Passionate about films, he moved to Chennai in 1988 and spent years as an assistant director and doing small roles, including uncredited parts, while trying to break into acting.

Ravi Teja Career Journey

Struggle and Breakthrough (1990–2001)

After small and supporting roles through the 1990s, Krishna Vamsi’s Sindhooram (1997) got him noticed. His first lead film, Nee Kosam (1999), won him a Nandi Special Jury Award, and Puri Jagannadh’s Itlu Sravani Subramanyam (2001) made him a hero to watch.

Mass Maharaja (2002–2012)

Idiot (2002) turned him into a star. Khadgam, Amma Nanna O Tamila Ammayi, Vikramarkudu (2006), Neninthe (2008) and Kick (2009) followed, building his image as a fun, fast-talking mass hero.

Highs and Comebacks (2013–Present)

Balupu (2013) and Raja the Great (2017), where he played a visually impaired agent, were big hits. After a lean phase, Krack (2021) and Dhamaka (2022) revived his career, with Dhamaka becoming his biggest grosser at the time. He played ACP Vikram Sagar in Waltair Veerayya (2023) with Chiranjeevi, followed by Tiger Nageswara Rao, Eagle, Mr. Bachchan, Mass Jathara and the 2026 Sankranti comedy Bhartha Mahasayulaku Wignyapthi. In August 2026, the father–daughter drama Irumudi, directed by Shiva Nirvana, became the highest-grossing film of his career, earning over ₹250 crore worldwide.

Ravi Teja Movies: Key Filmography

Below are the major films of Ravi Teja’s career.

YearFilmRole
1997Sindhooram (Breakthrough supporting role)Chanti
1999Nee Kosam (First lead; Nandi Special Jury Award)Seenu
2001Itlu Sravani Subramanyam (Directed by Puri Jagannadh)Subramanyam
2002Idiot (Star-making blockbuster)Chanti
2002Khadgam (Ensemble patriotic drama)Koti
2003Amma Nanna O Tamila Ammayi (Hit)Chandu
2006Vikramarkudu (Directed by S. S. Rajamouli)Attili Sattibabu / Vikram Singh Rathore
2008Neninthe (Nandi Award for Best Actor)Ravi
2009Kick (Blockbuster)Kalyan
2011MirapakayRishi
2013BalupuRavi
2017Raja the Great (Played a visually impaired man)Raja
2021Krack (Comeback hit)CI Pothuraju Veera Shankar
2022Dhamaka (Major hit)Dual role
2023Waltair Veerayya (With Chiranjeevi)ACP Vikram Sagar
2023Tiger Nageswara Rao (Biographical action film)Tiger Nageswara Rao
2024Mr. BachchanAnand
2025Mass JatharaRPF officer
2026Bhartha Mahasayulaku Wignyapthi (Sankranti 2026 comedy)Ram Sathyanarayana
2026Irumudi (Career-highest grosser)Trinadh Rama Kasu

Ravi Teja Awards and Achievements

YearAwardNote
1999Nandi Special Jury AwardFor Nee Kosam
2008Nandi Award for Best ActorFor Neninthe
Career3 Nandi Awards in totalAcross acting categories
2023Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor – TeluguFor Waltair Veerayya

Ravi Teja Personal Life

Ravi Teja married Kalyani on 26 May 2002. The couple have a daughter, Mokshadha, and a son, Mahadhan.

He keeps a low profile off screen and is known for his fitness routine and his discipline on set.

Ravi Teja Net Worth

Ravi Teja earns from acting fees, his production house RT Teamworks and brand endorsements.

Estimated Net Worth: Approximately ₹150 crore.

Net worth figures are estimates based on publicly reported information, including entertainment industry reports and media estimates. These are not audited financial statements and may not account for liabilities, family holdings or changes in asset values.

Lesser-Known Facts About Ravi Teja

  • His real name is Bhupatiraju Ravi Shankar Raju.
  • He worked as an assistant director before becoming an actor.
  • He grew up partly in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, and speaks fluent Hindi.
  • He played a visually impaired spy in Raja the Great.
  • Vikramarkudu, in which he starred, was directed by S. S. Rajamouli and later remade in Hindi as Rowdy Rathore.

Legacy and Impact

Ravi Teja’s rise from assistant director to ‘Mass Maharaja’ has inspired many outsiders in Telugu cinema. His high-energy style created a template for the modern mass-entertainer hero.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ravi Teja

How old is Ravi Teja?

Ravi Teja was born on 26 January 1968, making him 58 years old as of 2026.

What is Ravi Teja’s real name?

His real name is Bhupatiraju Ravi Shankar Raju.

What is Ravi Teja’s biggest hit?

Irumudi (2026) is the highest-grossing film of his career, earning over ₹250 crore worldwide. Before it, Dhamaka (2022) held that record.

Why is Ravi Teja called Mass Maharaja?

Fans gave him the title for his energetic, crowd-pleasing mass entertainers.

What is Ravi Teja’s net worth?

His net worth is estimated at approximately ₹150 crore, based on publicly reported information.

Final Summary

Ravi Teja’s career is proof that talent and persistence can beat the odds. From uncredited roles to Mass Maharaja, he remains one of Telugu cinema’s most bankable entertainers.

Similar profiles

View all celebrity biographies →

Last updated