Ritesh_Rana
Ritesh Rana
Indian film director and screenwriter
Ritesh Rana is an Indian film director and screenwriter who works in Telugu cinema. Born and raised in Hyderabad, India, Ritesh has made significant contributions to the realm of unconventional crime capers in Telugu cinema. He made his directorial debut in 2019's Comedy-Thriller Mathu Vadalara which also marked the debut of Sri Simha Koduri[1] post the success of the film, he made Happy Birthday[2] starring Lavanya Tripathi in a dual role.[3]
Ritesh Rana | |
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| Born | Ritesh Rana |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 2019-present |
Ritesh Rana spent his formative years in Hyderabad, where he developed a deep appreciation for cinema, particularly Chiranjeevi films. This early exposure fueled his passion for storytelling.
Career
Ritesh's journey into the cinematic world took a unique turn when he began sharing his thoughts on cinema through IMDB discussion boards. This interaction with the film community, coupled with his educational background in animation and mass communication, laid the foundation for his foray into filmmaking.
Mathu Vadalara (2019)
Ritesh Rana made his mark with his debut film, "Mathu Vadalara," a 2019 crime comedy.[4] The film, described as his calling card, showcased his ability to weave unconventional narratives. Notable for its references to Chiranjeevi hits and the introduction of a quirky television serial called "Ore naa kodaka," Mathu Vadalara set the stage for Ritesh's distinctive storytelling style.
In 2020, a hindi-remake was in work with Ritesh Rana at helm as Director and Chiranjeevi (Cherry) as Producer.[5]
Happy Birthday (2022)
Building on the success of his debut, Ritesh Rana ventured into his second project, "Happy Birthday," a surreal crime comedy thriller. Released in 2022, the film features Lavanya Tripathi in the lead and double role, supported by a talented ensemble cast.[6] Ritesh's vision for "Happy Birthday" explores a world where guns play a central role, and the film's non-linear narrative adds layers of complexity to the storytelling.[7]
Present
Despite downplaying grandiose comparisons to cinematic universes, Ritesh Rana has gained attention for his distinctive storytelling. Notably, director S. S. Rajamouli expressed confidence[8] in the success of "Happy Birthday," lauding it as a hit movie.[9] Ritesh Rana continues to explore new concepts and has even hinted at plans for a sequel to "Happy Birthday."[10]
| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
| Year | Film | Director | Writer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Mathu Vadalara | Yes | Story | Co-wrote with R. Teja |
| 2022 | Happy Birthday | Yes | Yes | [11][12] |
| Collaborator | Mathu Vadalara | Happy Birthday |
|---|---|---|
| Satya |  |
|
| Vennela Kishore | |
|
| Naresh Agastya | |
|
| Vidyullekha Raman | |
|
| Gundu Sudarshan | |
|
| Kaala Bhairava(music director) | |
|
| Suresh Sarangam
(Cinematographer) |
|
|
| Chiranjeevi (Cherry)[13]
(Producer) |
|
|
| Hemalatha Pedamallu
(Producer) |
|
|
| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient(s) and nominee(s) | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Critics Choice Film Awards | 28 March 2020 | Best Writing | Ritesh Rana, R. Teja | Mathu Vadalara | Nominated | [14] |
| South Indian International Movie Awards | 18 September 2021 | Best Comedian – Telugu | Satya | Nominated | [15] | |
| Best Male Debut – Telugu | Sri Simha | Won | ||||
| Best Debut Director – Telugu | Ritesh Rana | Nominated |
- Adivi, Sashidhar (22 December 2019). "Introducing Sri Simha Koduri". Deccan Chronicle.
- "Lavanya: People know more about my marriage than I do". Telugu Cinema. 1 February 2022. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
- Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi (5 July 2022). "Director Ritesh Rana promises a fun ride with 'Happy Birthday' starring Lavanya Tripathi and opens up on its link with 'Mathu Vadalara'". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
- "Mathu Vadalara Telugu Movie Review". 123telugu.com. 26 December 2019. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
- Adivi, Sashidhar (15 July 2020). "Mathu Vadalara goes to B-wood". Deccan Chronicle.
- "'Happy Birthday' Teaser: Unleashing mayhem with legalized guns! - Telugu News". IndiaGlitz.com. 7 June 2022. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
- India, The Hans (7 July 2022). "Smart Pricing By Small Film Happy Brithday". www.thehansindia.com. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
- "Rajamouli to unveil trailer of 'Happy Birthday' - Telugu News". IndiaGlitz.com. 28 June 2022. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
- Arikatla, Venkat (3 July 2022). "Rajamouli Said It's A Hit Movie: Ritesh Rana". greatandhra.com. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
- Manjunath, Mukesh (8 July 2022). "Happy Birthday Movie Review: A Celebration Of Telugu Pop Culture". www.filmcompanion.in. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
- India, The Hans (7 July 2022). "Ritesh Rana promises a wacky, fun ride with 'Happy Birthday' Movie". www.thehansindia.com. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
- FC, Team (29 June 2022). "Happy Birthday Trailer Talk: A World Of Surreal Comedy – "No Guns, No Entry"". www.filmcompanion.in. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
- Adivi, Sashidhar (6 January 2020). "Content is king, says Cherry". Deccan Chronicle.
- "Critics' Choice Film Awards 2020 nominations: Gully Boy, Article 15 compete for best film; Nivin Pauly, Mammootty get best actor nods". Firstpost. 2 March 2020. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
- Reddy, Sandeep (7 August 2021). "SIIMA Awards 2021: హైదరాబాద్ వేదికగా సెప్టెంబర్ లో సైమా అవార్డ్స్". www.hmtvlive.com (in Telugu). Retrieved 19 September 2021.
- Ritesh Rana at IMDb