Rana Daggubati
Rana Daggubati is an Indian actor, best known for Tamil cinema. Rana Daggubati began their career in 2013 and has been a prominent figure in the industry for over 13 years. With over 60 credits to their name and an average audience rating of 6.3, Rana Daggubati remains one of the most prolific and celebrated talents in the industry.
- Born
Biography
Rana Daggubati is an Indian film actor, producer, Visual Effects co-ordinator, and photographer known for his works in Telugu cinema and Bollywood. As a Visual Effects producer, Rana won the State Nandi Award for Best Special Effects in 2006 for the Telugu film Sainikudu starring Mahesh Babu. In 2006, he received the National Film Award for co-producing Bommalata – A Bellyful of Dreams.\r\n\r\nIn 2010, he made his acting debut with the Telugu blockbuster Leader, for which he won the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut – South. He received critical acclaim for his performance in the 2012 crime thriller film Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum.[citation needed] In 2015, he starred as the main antagonist in Baahubali: The Beginning, which recorded the highest gross opening for an Indian film.
Personal Info
Career Milestones
Film debut
View film →Highest rated: Baahubali (8.8)
View film →Iconic Roles
Baahubali: The Beginning
The power-hungry, tyrannical antagonist of the Mahishmati kingdom, known for his immense physicality and ruthless ambition.
Baahubali 2: The Conclusion
The aged, despotic king of Mahishmati, whose final confrontation with Amarendra Baahubali is a cinematic highlight.
Baby
A tough, no-nonsense RAW field officer who is part of a covert team on a critical counter-terrorism mission.
Defining Moments
Acting Debut
Made his lead acting debut in the critically acclaimed political drama 'Leader', establishing him as a serious actor.
Pan-India Breakthrough
Portrayed the antagonist Bhallala Deva in 'Baahubali: The Beginning', which became a national phenomenon and catapulted him to nationwide fame.
Blockbuster Sequel
Reprised his role in 'Baahubali 2: The Conclusion', one of the highest-grossing Indian films of all time, cementing his status as a major star.
Filmography
See all 60 credits →
Career Analytics
Genre Breakdown
Language Distribution
Films by Decade
Top Co-Actors
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Did You Know?
Rana Daggubati is the grandson of veteran Telugu film producer D. Ramanaidu and the son of film producer D. Suresh Babu.
Before acting, he worked as a visual effects co-ordinator and producer, founding the VFX company 'Spirit Media'.
He won the Nandi Award for Best Special Effects in 2006 for the film 'Sainikudu'.
He made his acting debut in the 2010 Telugu film 'Leader', directed by Shekhar Kammula.
He is a trained scuba diver and has a keen interest in wildlife photography.
Signature Dialogues
Nannu evaru aapaleru! (No one can stop me!)
Bhallala Deva·Baahubali: The Beginning
Na Peru Bhallala Deva! (My name is Bhallala Deva!)
Bhallala Deva·Baahubali: The Beginning
Jai. RAW.
Jai·Baby
Photos
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News & Stories
Rana Daggubati Latest Images.
26/3/2018
Rana Daggubati is now owner of a boxing team
14/7/2017
Rana Daggubati lends his voice for Tom Hanks
5/10/2016
Legacy & Influence
Rana Daggubati has carved a distinct niche in Indian cinema by transcending conventional hero archetypes, primarily through his powerful portrayals of antagonists and complex characters. His career trajectory is marked by a strategic shift from behind-the-scenes visual effects work to on-screen performances, bringing a unique technical understanding to his craft. His most defining contribution is undoubtedly the role of Bhallala Deva in the Baahubali epic, a performance that redefined the scale and impact of a villain in Indian cinema. His physical transformation and commanding screen presence were instrumental in creating a formidable counterpoint to the protagonist, making the character a cultural icon and significantly elevating the film's narrative stakes. This role cemented his status as a pan-Indian star. Beyond this, Daggubati has consistently chosen diverse roles across Telugu and Hindi cinema, from the rugged action in 'Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum' to the gritty realism in 'Baby'. His venture into production and his continued selection of technologically ambitious projects like 'Kalki 2898 AD' demonstrate a commitment to pushing cinematic boundaries. His career serves as a bridge between the technical and artistic sides of filmmaking, inspiring a generation of actors to explore unconventional roles and contributing to the increasing prominence of South Indian cinema on the national stage.