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Aadi

Aditi Sudhir PohankarAaditi S PohankarAaditi S. Pohankar

Aadi is an Indian actor, best known for Tamil cinema. Aadi began their career in 2010 and has been a prominent figure in the industry for over 16 years. With 30 credits to their name, Aadi remains one of the most prolific and celebrated talents in the industry. Spanning 10+ years, Aadi's career remains one of the longest and most celebrated in Tamil cinema.

Born
Age
36
30+Known Credits
4.8Avg Rating
veteranCareer Phase

Biography

Aadi Saikumar (born Aditya Pudipeddi) is a Telugu film actor, son of veteran actor-dubbing artist P. Sai Kumar, who debuted with Prema Kavali (2011) and became one of the prominent young leads in Telugu cinema. His debut earned him the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut – South (2012), the SIIMA Award for Best Male Debut – Telugu (2012), and the CineMAA Award for Best Debut Actor. Lovely (2012) achieved a hundred-day theatrical run, establishing him as a bankable lead, and he followed up with action films like Rough (2014) and Garam (2016) alongside the ensemble comedy Shamantakamani (2017). His recent work includes Tees Maar Khan (2022) and Star (2024), continuing an active career across commercial and ensemble genres.

Career Milestones

2011

Film debut in Prema Kavali as Srinu, an NCC Cadet

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2012

Won Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut – South

2012

Won SIIMA Award for Best Male Debut – Telugu

2012

Won CineMAA Award for Best Debut Actor

2017

Heist comedy Shamantakamani became a major commercial success

View film →

Iconic Roles

Srinu2011

Prema Kavali

Aadi's debut role as an NCC cadet that launched his career and won critical acclaim for his performance.

Akash2012

Lovely

A jovial young man who initially harbors resentment toward father-daughter relationships, considered one of his most praised performances.

Sukumar2013

Sukumarudu

A wealthy young man living abroad in this title role that further cemented his leading man status in Telugu cinema.

Chandu2014

Rough

A young man who believes only in marriage after witnessing his mother being betrayed in love, a emotionally layered role.

Tees Maar Khan2022

Tees Maar Khan

The title character who bonds with a girl escaping domestic violence and eventually becomes a police officer, a career-reviving performance.

Defining Moments

2011

Debut performance as Srinu, a NCC Cadet who fights to win back his lover — featuring intense hand-to-hand combat sequences against antagonist Dev Gill that showcased his physicality and screen presence

Won Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut – South and SIIMA Award for Best Male Debut – Telugu; established him as a promising action hero in Telugu cinema

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2012

Role as Akash, a jovial youth who undergoes emotional transformation after falling in love and learning to respect father-daughter bonds — balancing comedy and sentiment

Became a commercial hit with a 100-day theatrical run across 12 centres, proving his box office appeal beyond his debut and cementing his mainstream star status

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2017

Comic ensemble performance in the comedy-horror film alongside friends in a temple setting, contributing to the surprise blockbuster hit

One of Telugu cinema's biggest surprise hits of 2017; demonstrated Aadi's range in comedy and ensemble storytelling, reviving his career at a critical juncture

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2019

Performance in the forensic thriller Operation Gold Fish as the central hero uncovering a conspiracy, blending action with investigative drama

Marked a significant genre shift for Aadi into thriller territory, praised for its content-driven approach and showing his versatility as an actor

2022

Title role performance as Tees Maar Khan, a sharp-witted thief navigating high-stakes action and comedy

A notable career entry showcasing his matured screen presence and ability to carry a mass entertainer as the sole lead after a decade in the industry

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The Numbers

Aadi by the Numbers

Total Films0
Back-to-back Watch0 day+ 11h
Hit Ratio0%
Yrs Active0
Versatility0/10
Biggest CollaborationAadi Saikumar5 films together

If you watched every Aadi film back-to-back, you'd be at it for roughly 1 day and 11h. Most-paired with Aadi Saikumar — 5 films together.

Collaboration Network

Collaboration Network

The Constellation

Top 10 most-paired collaborators. Bubble size and line thickness reflect how many films they share with Aadi.

Aadinfilms togetherSee full filmography →

Career Analytics

Genre Breakdown

Drama
22%
Action
22%
Comedy
22%
Horror
11%
Romance
11%
Thriller
11%

Language Distribution

Telugu
87%
Hindi
7%
Tamil
7%

Films by Decade

13
2010s
2
2020s

Top Co-Actors

See all →

Aadi has worked most frequently with Aadi Saikumar (5 films), Tanikella Bharani (3 films), Rajendra Prasad (3 films), Vennela Kishore (3 films), and Nassar (2 films).

Did You Know?

1

Aadi is the son of popular Telugu actor Sai Kumar, known for his powerful voice and character roles.

2

He made his acting debut in 2011 with the film 'Prema Kavali', directed by K. Vijaya Bhaskar.

3

His debut film 'Prema Kavali' was a critical and commercial success, establishing him as a promising newcomer.

4

He is a trained dancer and has showcased his dancing skills in several of his films.

5

Aadi often works in romantic and family-oriented dramas within Telugu cinema.

Videos

News & Stories

Chuttalabbayi Rabba Rabba Video Song | Chuttalabbayi Movie

Chuttalabbayi Rabba Rabba Video Song | Chuttalabbayi Movie

18/7/2016

Legacy & Influence

Aadi, son of veteran actor Sai Kumar, entered Telugu cinema in 2011 with 'Prema Kavali', a film that established him as a promising young lead capable of handling romantic narratives with a fresh appeal. His early career was defined by youthful, boy-next-door roles in films like 'Lovely' (2012), which resonated with the family audience and consolidated his position as a rising star. While his filmography includes a mix of genres, from action in 'Rough' (2014) to romantic dramas like 'Next Nuvve' (2017), his consistent contribution lies in anchoring mid-budget, story-driven films that cater to a specific segment of the Telugu film market. His presence has helped sustain a space for such productions alongside the larger star-driven spectacles. Although not a major box-office disruptor, Aadi's career represents a steady, professional trajectory within the industry's ecosystem. He has worked with notable directors like K. Vijaya Bhaskar and collaborated with emerging talent, contributing to the broader tapestry of Telugu cinema by participating in diverse projects. His work, particularly in his debut and subsequent early films, is remembered for bringing a certain relatable charm and sincerity to the screen during that period. His legacy is that of a reliable actor who carved out a niche in the early to mid-2010s, demonstrating the viability of focused, performance-oriented roles for young heroes outside the immediate superstar bracket.

Frequently Asked Questions