Lesser-known facts about South superstar Venkatesh Daggubati

South superstar Venkatesh Daggubati turns a year older on December 13. Fondly called “Victory Venkatesh” by fans, he has spent decades winning hearts with his powerful performances in Telugu cinema. But beyond his on-screen charm, he has lived a life filled with interesting turns, surprising decisions, and strong values. While fans know him for his discipline and humility, there is still so much about his journey that remains unknown. Here’s a closer look at some lesser-known facts about one of Tollywood’s most respected stars.

Venkatesh is the son of acclaimed film producer and former MP Ramanaidu Daggubati. Even though cinema ran in his blood, he focused on academics first. He completed his schooling from Don Bosco in Egmore, Chennai, followed by a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce from Loyola College. He then pursued an MBA in the United States. His strong educational background played an important role in shaping his grounded personality and thoughtful approach to his career.

During promotions for Rana Naidu, Venkatesh revealed that he never actually set out to become an actor. He shared that it was “just an accident” and that he returned from the United States hoping to start a business. He even explored selling spices in collaboration with McCormick & Company. His father, producer Ramanaidu, later invited director Raghavendra Rao home and said, “Let’s introduce him.” That unexpected moment led to Venkatesh’s debut as a hero in Kaliyuga Pandavulu in 1986.

Many fans do not know that Venkatesh made his first on-screen appearance in the 1971 Telugu film Prem Nagar when he was just 10 or 11 years old. The film starred Akkineni Nageswara Rao, and although Venkatesh’s role was small, it marked the beginning of a lifelong connection with cinema. This early appearance remains a charming piece of trivia from his childhood.

Venkatesh entered Hindi cinema with 'Anari' in 1993 opposite Karisma Kapoor. The film was actually a remake of his Telugu blockbuster 'Chanti.' According to Sacnilk, Anari was made on a budget of ₹2.75 crore and earned an Indian gross of ₹10 crore in 1993. The film’s success helped Venkatesh gain recognition among Hindi-speaking audiences as well.

Venkatesh has a deep love for cricket and even captained the Telugu Warriors team in the Celebrity Cricket League. Along with co-owner Sachin Joshi, he led the team to a championship win in the fifth CCL season in 2015. In later seasons, the captaincy passed to Akhil Akkineni, while Venkatesh continues to support the team as a mentor. His dedication to cricket highlights his teamwork and leadership beyond films.

Venkatesh is married to Neeraja Daggubati, who also holds an MBA from the United States. They married when he was 25 and have four children: three daughters – Hayavahini, Bhavana, and Aashitha – and one son, Arjun Daggubati. Despite his massive stardom, Venkatesh has always kept his family away from the media spotlight.

Venkatesh comes from one of Telugu cinema’s most influential families, and his connections extend beyond the Daggubati household. Actor Nagarjuna was once his brother-in-law, as he was married to Venkatesh’s sister Lakshmi. Venkatesh is also the uncle of two popular stars: Rana Daggubati and Naga Chaitanya.