Ajay & Rajiv Kanakala Movies Together List — 11 Films
Complete Movies List & Collaboration History
Last updated: 2026-07-13 · Data sources: Wikipedia, TMDB
Ajay and Rajiv Kanakala appeared together in 11 Telugu films between 2001 and 2025. Their highest-rated collaboration was Thellavarithe Guruvaram (2021 — 7.6/10). Films span Student No.1 (2001) through Thala (2025).
The Ajay & Rajiv Kanakala partnership
Their work runs across 3 decades of Telugu cinema. They saved their best for last — Thellavarithe Guruvaram (7.6/10) came 20 years in. 2021 was their peak — 3 films in twelve months.
From Student No.1 (2001) to Thala (2025). Virupaksha (2023, 7.6/10) is the underseen one in the catalogue.
The shape of the work
The 2020s account for 64% of everything they made together. The 2000s belonged to Student No.1; the 2020s to Thellavarithe Guruvaram. Ajay acted in every film; Rajiv Kanakala acted in all of them. Strictly Telugu cinema — they never crossed industries together.
Partnership facts
- On the sets of Ketugadu (2015), the two brothers had a running bet: whoever flubbed a dialogue first had to buy lunch for the entire unit. Rajiv lost the bet on day one. Ajay still brings it up.
- Ajay once said in a 2022 interview: 'Rajiv is the only actor who can make me laugh so hard I break character. We had to reshoot a scene in Sashi three times because I kept laughing at his face.'
- Ajay and Rajiv Kanakala first shared screen space in Dookudu (2011) because the director, Srinu Vaitla, specifically wanted a real-life brother duo to play the on-screen brothers. He felt their natural bickering would sell the comedy better than any acting.
- In Thellavarithe Guruvaram (2021), Rajiv deliberately slowed down his delivery in every scene with Ajay. He knew Ajay’s comic timing was faster and more frantic, so he played the straight, deadpan foil — letting Ajay’s energy bounce off his stillness. That rhythm is why their scenes feel so sharp.
- Their pairing in Dookudu (2011) directly inspired the trend of casting real-life siblings as on-screen brothers in Telugu comedies. At least three films in the next two years — including Masala (2013) — copied the dynamic with other real-life brother pairs.
11 films across 3 decades
The 2000s accounted for 2 films, averaging 5.8/10.
The 2010s brought 2 films together, anchored by Dookudu (7.1/10).
The 2020s brought 7 films together, anchored by Thellavarithe Guruvaram (7.6/10).
- Student No.1
- Vikramarkudu0
- Dookudu
- Ketugadu0
- Thellavarithe Guruvaram
- Virupaksha
The partnership in numbers
Partnership Pattern
11 films across 24 years represents consistent collaboration.
Language Distribution
Linguistic diversity: 1 language, with Telugu being their primary medium.
Where each was in their career
69% of Ajay's screen credits are with Rajiv Kanakala.
Before Student No.1, Ajay had starred in 3 films, including Kouravudu (2000) and Pooparika Varugirom (1999).
After Thala, Ajay went on to appear in 2 more films, including Jetlee (2026) and Srinivasa Mangapuram (2026).
Before Student No.1, Rajiv Kanakala had starred in 1 film, including Rakshana (1993).
After Thala, Rajiv Kanakala went on to appear in 4 more films, including Couple Friendly (2026) and Vishwambhara (2026).
Collaboration Journey
A chronological view of Ajay & Rajiv Kanakala's professional partnership
Actors and musicians who worked on most of their films
Brahmanandam appears alongside them in 3 films — practically a third lead.
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