Telugu comedy actors play a major role in movies. Their comic antics and facial expressions lend a certain element of fun to the movie. This is why the number of Telugu comedians has increased.
Comedy movies are something that everyone in the family can enjoy. From children to adults, everyone enjoys a good laugh. And what would happen if there was no comic relief? Only movies with some slapstick humor and funny moments are worth watching.
Which is why comedians are so important. Thanks to their skills and impromptu comic relief, they help make the movie more energetic and lively. In every movie circuit – Tollywood, Bollywood, or Kollywood- comedians are revered, especially in Telugu.
So, here’s the list of top comedy actors in Telugu movies.
Top Comedy Actors in Telugu Flim Industry to Watch
- Brahmanandam
- Relangi Venkatramaiah
- Ali Basha
- Kota Srinivasa Rao
- Priyadarshi Pulikonda
- MS Narayan
- Nagesh
- Posani Krishna Murali
- Sadhu Kokila
- Jaya Prakash Reddy
- Ajay Ghosh
- Venu Madhav
- Chikkanna
- Vennela Kishore
- Raghu Babu
- Sunil
Let’s take a look at them one by one-
Brahmanandam ( Best Telugu Comedy Actor)
Date Of Birth: 1 February 1956
Best Comedy Films: Vikramarkudu (2006), Bommarillu (2006), Khaleja (2010), Dhee (2007), Pokiri (2006)
When you think about Telugu comedy actors, the first name that comes to mind is Brahmanandam. His comic expressions and perfect timing, have helped expand his acting career to over 1000 movies. He has also received the Padma Shri Award in 2009, for his contribution to movies. Brahmanandam also holds a Guinness World Record for the highest number of movies ever acted in. With a career spanning over a decade, Brahmanandam is one of the world’s best-known Comedy Actors in Telugu. His comic episodes from Telugu movies are some of the most-watched scenes for any comedian.
Relangi Venkatramaiah
Date Of Birth: 9 August 1910
Died: 27 November 1975
Best Comedy Films: Gunasundari Katha (1949), Vipra Narayana (1954), Mayabazar (1957), Iddaru Mitrulu (1961), Lava Kusa (1963)
Relangi Venkata Ramayya best known as Relangi was one of the best comedy actors in Tollywood who predominantly works in the Telugu film industry, For his contribution to Indian cinema Relangi was honored with the Padma Shri award. He is especially known for his comic expression and dialogues during the 1950s and 1960s. Together with Ramana Reddy, they were a comedy double act.
Ali Basha
Date Of Birth: 10 October 1967
Best Comedy Films: Seethakoka Chiluka, Pittala Dora, Amma Nanna O Tamila Ammayi, Super
Another comedy actor in Telugu movies is Ali Basha. He is such a popular comedian that he has worked in Tollywood, Kollywood, and Bollywood. His comic timing is so epic that Ali is considered one of the highly acclaimed Telugu comedy actors. His most popular movies include Srimanthudu, Khaidi No. 150, Race Gurram, etc. Ali Basha is one of the best Telugu comedians of his generation and has made his mark on each movie he has been a part of.
Kota Srinivasa Rao
Date Of Birth: 10 July 1972
Best Comedy Films: Prudhvi Narayana (2002), Bommarillu (2006), Leader (2010), Attarintiki Daredi (2013), Satyamurthy (2015)
Kota Srinivasa Rao is one of the best Telugu comedy actors. He primarily appears in Telugu cinema and theatres and also did a few Tamil, Malayalam, Hindi, and Kannada movies. Rao started his acting journey with the Telugu film Pranam Khareedu released in 1978. During his career, he was featured in more than 750 films. Kota Srinivasa Rao has received nine state Nandi Awards in various categories of villain, character actor, and supporting actor. In 2012, he was honored with the SIIMA Award for his work in Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum. In 2015, he received India’s fourth highest civilian honour Padma Shri for his contribution to Indian cinema.
Priyadarshi Pulikonda
Date Of Birth: 25 August 1989
Best Comedy Films: Pelli Choopulu (2016), Mallesham (2019), Mithai (2019), Mail (2021)
Priyadarshi Pulikonda is another Telugu comedian making a name for himself in the movie industry. His career began with the movie Terror, and with movies like Pelli Choopulu, Spyder, Arjun Reddy, Tholi Prema, and Middle-Class Abbayi, he sealed his place as an iconic comedy actor. Priyadarshi is not only famous in Telugu movies but is also well known in the Bollywood and Kollywood circuits as well.
MS Narayan
Date Of Birth: 16 April 1951
Died: 23 January 2015
Best Comedy Films: Maa Nannaki Pelli (1997), Sardukupodaam Randi (2000), Sivamani (2003), Dookudu (2011)
MS Narayan is one of the great Telugu comedy actors who graced the stage. And while he is no longer with us, his impromptu comic scenes are something that still lingers in the minds of his fans to date. His life revolved around making people laugh and he could add humor to any role, movie, or genre. MS Narayan was suited for the fatherly roles in Telugu movies, but instead, he preferred to play the comic roles.
A few of MS Narayan’s movies were released after his death but he is still considered to be one of the best in the Telugu comedian’s name list.
Nagesh
Date Of Birth: 27 September 1933
Died: 31 January 2009
Best Comedy Films: Server Sundaram (1964), Kadhalikka Neramillai (1964), Thiruvilayadal (1965), Anbe Vaa (1966), Michael Madana Kama Rajan
Nagesh is one of the most famous comedians Of Tollywood of all time. He acted in more than 1000 films from 1958 to 2008 performing in a variety of roles as comedian, supporting actor, and lead roles. His comedy style was similar to the Hollywood actor Jerry Lewis. Nagesh’s first breakthrough comes with the Thayilla Pillai film. He has been honored with several awards. Unfortunately, the legendary actor died on 31 January 2009 due to diabetes and a heart ailment.
Posani Krishna Murali
Date Of Birth: 22 January 1958
Best Comedy Films: Good Boy, Operation Duryodhana, Mental Krishna, Rajavari Chepala Cheruvu
Posani Murali is not just one of the Telugu comedy actors in the biz. He is an actor, a director, a producer, and a screenwriter, all rolled into one. He has worked in over 150 movies and his innocent and stoic face lends more to the comic role than others. Some of his popular movies include Race Gurram, Naayak, Atharintiki Daredi, Bobby, Athadu, Kick 2, Khaidi No 150, Arjun Suravaram, and Aswathama.
While his comic timing is epic, Posani is more than only a Telugu comedian. Posani Murali also tried to contest in the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly elections, but unfortunately, he lost.
Sadhu Kokila
Date Of Birth: 24 March 1966
Best Comedy Films: Hudugaru, Yaare Koogadali, Mr. and Mrs. Ramachari, Yajamana
Sahaya Sheelan Shadrach, best known by his stage name Sadhu Kokila is an Indian comedian, film director, actor, and producer. Sadhu began his career as a composer and then started working in films in comic roles. As an actor, he has received several awards in the category of best comedian in the South Indian International Movie Awards. Sadhu is one of the best comedy actors in Tollywood of all time.
Jaya Prakash Reddy
Date Of Birth: 8 May 1946
Died: 8 September 2020
Best Comedy Films: Jayam Manade Raa, Chennakesava Reddy, Khaki Chokka, Swetha Naagu, Vikramarkudu
Jaya Prakash Reddy is not only a Telugu comedian but is quite a popular villain. But most of his evil roles take on more of a comic role. Jaya Prakash or JP as his fans call him is famous not only for his humour but also for his ability to keep a straight emotionless face in place while delivering the funniest lines. His love for making his fans laugh is apparent in his dedication to his work.
Because of his multi-talented nature, JP is a director’s favorite. Some of his best movies include MLA, Amar Akbar Anthony, Crazy Crazy Feeling, Jai Simha, Radha, Khaidi No 150, Lol, and Gabbar Singh.
Ajay Ghosh
Date Of Birth: 1974
Best Comedy Films: Jyothi Lakshmi (2015), Visaranai (2016), Rangasthalam (2018), Pushpa: The Rise (2021) and Guntur Kaaram (2024)
Ajay Ghosh or Davuluri Ajay Ghosh is an Indian actor and comedian who is best known for his contribution towards Telugu cinema and theatre. He began his acting journey with the Telugu film Prasthanam (2010). However, he is popular for his hit films like Jyothi Lakshmi (2015), Visaranai (2016), Rangasthalam (2018), Pushpa: The Rise (2021) and Guntur Kaaram (2024). In addition, Ajay also did a few Tamil and Kannada language films. He is married to Sambhalakshmi and the couple has been blessed with two sons named Davuluri Bhagath Singh and Davuluri Ramanjaneyulu.
Venu Madhav
Date Of Birth: 28 September 1969
Died: 25 September 2019
Best Comedy Films: Master (1997), Tholi Prema (1998)
Telugu comedian Venu Madhav is famous not only for his famous comic roles but also for his mimicry abilities. He has worked in over 600 movies and started his career mimicking politicians and celebrities. But his breakthrough came with movies like Master and Tholi Prema.
Venu Madhav received the Nandi Award for the Best Male Comedian role in the movie Lakshmi. He also won CineMAA Awards for his roles in Dil and Sye. But unfortunately, we lost this amazing actor to liver and kidney complications in September 2019. While he will be missed, he will surely not be forgotten.
Chikkanna
Date Of Birth: 22 June 1984
Best Comedy Films: Raja Huli, Adyaksha, Chandrika, Masterpiece
Chikkanna is one of the most popular Tollywood comedy actors who works in Kannada, and Telugu language films. He made his debut with the Kirataka (2011) film. The film brought him into the limelight and following his success, he was cast in many superhit films such as Raja Huli, Adyaksha, Chandrika, Masterpiece, and so on…
Vennela Kishore
Date Of Birth: 19 September 1977
Best Comedy Films: Vennela, Inkosaari, Bhale Bhale Magadivoy, Meeku Maathrame Cheptha, Bheeshma
Vennela Kishore or rather Bokkala Kishore is still one of the youngest Telugu comedy actors in movies. The title he got was Vennela after his first movie, Vennela. With his unique ability to change from a serious to a comic role in seconds, he has not only surprised people in the Industry but his viewers as well. With his sudden change in roles, he has won the ability to make people laugh with just his facial expressions.
Vennela Kishore has won the Nandi Award for Best Male Comedian for his performance in the movie Inkosari. What makes Vennela Kishore a little different from the other comedians on this list – he is also a good director. With movies like Vennela 1.5 and Jaffa under his wing, he is making sure that people know him, either for his comic roles or for his directorial skills.
Raghu Babu
Date Of Birth: 10 October 1964
Best Comedy Films: Waltair Veerayya, Bhagavanth Kesari, Sarileru Neekevvaru, Jaanu
Raghu Babu is a name that is associated with when talking about comedy actors in Telugu movies. He spent his life in a comedic family and credits his skills to his father, Giri Babu. But, Raghu Babu is not only a great comedian but is also a great movie producer. People love watching his movies because of his natural acting skills and funny comic timing. Some of his most popular movies to date are Khadai No 150, Adhurs, Kick 2, Race Gurram, and more. Because of his epic comic skills, Radhu Babu is one of the top director’s picks in the Telugu comedian’s name list.
Sunil
Date Of Birth: 28 February 1974
Best Comedy Films: Jalsa, King, Dubai Seenu, Nuvvu Nenu, Run, Naani, Chitralahari, Disco Raja
Another of the great Telugu comedy actors who have taken the world by storm, Sunil. He has acted as the lead actor in a lot of movies, but eventually, he returned to comedy. His comic sense and humour skills have proven to be a major win for his audience, as he loves bringing a smiles on the faces of his fans.
The Telugu comedian has a slow career in the beginning. His initial movies were either stopped during filming or did not do well at the box office. But, he persevered and took his first lead role in the movie Andala Ramudu.
Conclusion: Top Telugu Comedy Actors
Acting is not easy. With trying to learn hundreds of lines, having to portray emotions in a heartbeat, and working hard to compete with others – actors do not have it easy. Comedians face bigger problems. By competing against the lead actor-actress for space, they need to prove that they have a funny bone.
But with the top Telugu comedy actors listed above, it is easy to see that comedians are slowly being recognized for their art. It may be easy to punch someone or jump from buildings using wires and green screens. But entertaining someone with just your facial expressions and gestures is priceless. This is why people now acknowledge the value of comic relief and the important role comedians play in movies.