Chandoo Mondeti is an Indian film director and screenwriter who works in Telugu cinema. His successful films include Karthikeya (2014), Premam (2016), Karthikeya 2 (2022) and Thandel (2025).[1] He is the recipient of a National Film Award and a Nandi Award.
Chandoo Mondeti | |
|---|---|
 Mondeti in 2024 | |
| Born | Vemuluru, Andhra Pradesh, India |
| Occupations |
|
| Spouse | Sujatha |
| Children | 22 |
Early life and career
editChandoo Mondeti was born in Vemuluru near Kovvur in Andhra Pradesh.
He debuted as a director with Karthikeya in 2014. It was a mystery thriller film starring Nikhil Siddhartha and Swathi Reddy in the lead roles. The film revolves showcases the life of a curious medico Karthik who investigates the mystery surrounding a closed Karthikeya temple in the village of Subrahmanyapuram.[2][3] An incident which happened in Talupulamma Temple in Kakinada district of Andhra Pradesh inspired Chandoo Mondeti to pen the story of Karthikeya. The film released on 24 October 2014 as a Diwali release to positive reviews from critics, and collected more than ₹20 crore, on a budget of ₹4–6 crore.[4][5][6]
He then directed Premam (2016), a remake of 2015 Malayalam film of the same name. The film was commercially successful. Later he directed Savyasachi (2018) starring Naga Chaitanya and Madhavan (in his Telugu debut) which did not perform well at the box office.
He later directed the crime drama film Bloody Mary (2022) stars Nivetha Pethuraj, Brahmaji, Ajay, and Kireeti Damaraju. Set in Visakhapatnam, the plot follows three orphaned childhood friends—Mary, Raju, and Basha who find themselves embroiled in a murder case. The film was digitally released in April 2022 on the streaming platform Aha.
His next project Karthikeya 2, the sequel to Karthikeya, was officially launched in March 2020 in Tirupati with a puja ceremony.[7] Filming took place in India, predominantly in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh, in addition to Spain, Portugal, and Greece in Europe.[8][9] It starred Nikhil Siddhartha, Anupama Parameswaran, and Anupam Kher in prominent roles. Karthikeya 2 was released in August 2022 and received positive reviews from critics and became the highest grossing film in Mondeti's career.[10][11]
He has collaborated with Naga Chaitanya for the third time in Thandel, with Sai Pallavi playing the lead actress. It was released in February 2025.
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Director | Writer | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Karthikeya | Yes | Yes | |
| 2015 | Surya vs Surya | No | Dialogues | |
| 2016 | Premam | Yes | Yes | [12] |
| 2018 | Kirrak Party | No | Dialogues | [13] |
| Savyasachi | Yes | Yes | [14] | |
| 2022 | Bloody Mary | Yes | Yes | |
| Karthikeya 2 | Yes | Yes | ||
| 2025 | Thandel | Yes | Yes | [15] |
Awards and nominations
edit| Award | Year | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Filmfare Awards South | 2015 | Best Director – Telugu | Karthikeya | Nominated | |
| IIFA Utsavam | 2016 | Best Director – Telugu | Nominated | ||
| Nandi Awards | 2014 | Best First Film of a Director | Won | [16] | |
| National Film Awards | 2024 | Best Telugu Feature Film | Karthikeya 2 | Won | |
| South Indian International Movie Awards | 2015 | Best Debut Director – Telugu | Karthikeya | Nominated | |
| 2023 | Best Director – Telugu | Karthikeya 2 | Nominated | [17] | |
| Sensation of the Year | Won |
References
edit- ^ "Telugu remake of Malayalam Movie Premam". Archived from the original on 12 October 2016. Retrieved 11 October 2016.
- ^ "Karthikeya will be a suspense drama". The Times of India. 5 December 2013. Archived from the original on 29 October 2014. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
- ^ "Karthikeya 2: Nikhil Siddharth's film to on floors from this date". The Times of India. 28 February 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
- ^ "'Karthikeya', 'Pooja', 'Happy New Year', 'Ishq Wala Love' Set for Big Clash at Box Office". International Business Times India. 20 October 2014. Archived from the original on 29 October 2014. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
- ^ "'Karthikeya' Movie Review: Comic Quotient Thrills Viewers". International Business Times India. 24 October 2014. Archived from the original on 29 October 2014. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
- ^ Kavirayani, Suresh (6 November 2014). "First time lucky". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
Karthikeya is a phenomenal hit. Made on a budget of 4 crore.....
- ^ "Sequel to Nikhil Siddhart's Karthikeya goes on floors". The Times of India. 2 March 2020. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
- ^ "Karthikeya 2 remains unaffected by COVID-19". Deccan Chronicle. 2 September 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
- ^ "Nikhil Karthikeya 2 Shooting: నిఖిల్ 'కార్తికేయ 2' షూటింగ్పై మేజర్ అప్డేట్." News18 Telugu (in Telugu). 24 March 2022. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
- ^ "Nikhil Siddhartha's Karthikeya 2 to get showcased on OTT soon. Check out when, where". The Economic Times. 18 August 2022. Retrieved 21 August 2022.
The movie has received rave reviews from both audiences and critics. According to critics, the film has been described as an "engaging adventure" and an "adventure ride," which offers great content while being a visual treat.
- ^ "Karthikeya 2 gives tough competition to Laal Singh Chaddha, Raksha Bandhan, shows 300% growth in North India". DNA India. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
Karthikeya 2 has already won rave reviews, and now it's winning North India as well.
- ^ "'Premam' made me a responsible filmmaker: Chandoo Mondeti". Business Standard India. 5 October 2016. Retrieved 27 December 2019.
- ^ "Nikhil's Kirrak Party First Look Poster Talk". The Hans India. 2 December 2017.
- ^ "'Savyasachi is shaping up so well': Director Chandoo Mondeti". The News Minute. 17 May 2018. Retrieved 27 December 2019.
- ^ "Naga Chaitanya's next with Chandoo Mondeti titled 'Thandel'". The Hindu. 22 November 2023.
- ^ India, The Hans (14 November 2017). "AP Government announces Nandi Awards". www.thehansindia.com. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
- ^ "SIIMA Awards 2023: RRR, 777 Charlie win big; Jr NTR, Yash named Best Actors; Sreeleela and Srinidhi Shetty are Best Actresses". Indian Express. Retrieved 15 September 2023.