Son of a bus driver, BTech graduate: Chiranjeevi says this man is the future of Telugu cinema. Who is director Anil Ravipudi?

When Megastar Chiranjeevi publicly backs a filmmaker, the industry pays attention. This time, the spotlight is firmly on director Anil Ravipudi, a man whose journey from small-town movie buff to one of Telugu cinema’s most reliable hitmakers feels straight out of a film script. With Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu winning hearts at the box office and Chiranjeevi openly celebrating his director, curiosity around Anil Ravipudi’s story, craft, and rise has never been higher.

Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu is an action comedy written and directed by Anil Ravipudi and produced by Sahu Garapati and Sushmita Konidela. The film stars Chiranjeevi in the titular role, with Venkatesh, Nayanthara, and Catherine Tresa playing key parts. The story follows Shankara Vara Prasad, a national security officer who takes on the task of protecting his estranged wife and children, hoping the mission will also give him a chance to reunite with his family. Since its release, the film has been receiving both critical appreciation and strong commercial success at the box office.

The film’s success sparked one of the most talked-about moments in the Telugu film industry recently. Chiranjeevi gifted Anil Ravipudi a Range Rover, a gesture that quickly became industry buzz. Reports suggest that Chiranjeevi was extremely pleased with the film’s performance and deeply respected the director’s vision, leading to the expensive gift as a token of appreciation. Anil Ravipudi has been widely credited with presenting Chiranjeevi in a classic mass avatar, blending comedy and emotion in a way that resonated strongly with audiences. During the film’s success celebration event, mementoes were also presented to technicians, cast, crew, and distributors, highlighting the collective effort behind the hit. In fact, the megastar also declared the director as the future of Telugu cinema.

Who is Anil Ravipudi?

Anil Ravipudi’s growing reputation is built on a solid track record. He has delivered successful films like Bhagavanth Kesari and Sankranthiki Vasthunam, and is best known for writing and directing action comedies that balance humour with high-energy storytelling. His ability to package commercial cinema with emotional beats has made him a favourite among stars and audiences alike.

According to Deccan Chronicle, Anil Ravipudi has often spoken about his early love for cinema. He did his schooling in Mahabubnagar and started watching films seriously when he was just eight years old. His parents were acquainted with a theatre projector operator, and young Anil spent much of his time there, absorbing movies from close quarters. His father worked as an RTC bus driver, and despite his growing obsession with cinema, his parents never discouraged him. He consistently topped his class, which gave them confidence to let him pursue his passion. Over time, watching films became a daily habit and a defining part of his life.


After school, Anil Ravipudi moved to Guntur to pursue a B.Tech. degree. Even as he followed an academic path, his commitment to cinema never faded. That combination of discipline and creative obsession later shaped his filmmaking style, which is often praised for its tight writing and audience-friendly structure.

His directorial debut came with the action comedy Pataas in 2015, which earned him the SIIMA Award for Best Debut Director in Telugu. He followed it up with Supreme in 2016 and Raja The Great in 2017, both action comedies that strengthened his standing in the industry. In 2019, he directed F2: Fun and Frustration, a major commercial success that was also featured in the Indian Panorama Mainstream section at the 50th International Film Festival of India.