Sumanth

Sumanth Kumar Yarlagadda, known by his mononym Sumanth, is an Indian actor primarily active in Telugu cinema. Born on February 9, 1975, in Hyderabad, India, he holds a prominent position in the industry as the eldest grandson of legendary Telugu actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao. Apart from his acting endeavors, Sumanth is also a partner in Annapurna Studios. Sumanth’s notable contributions to Telugu cinema include acclaimed performances in films such as “Prema Katha” (1999), “Yuvakudu” (2000), “Satyam” (2003), “Gowri” (2004), “Godavari” (2006), “Madhumasam” (2008), “Golconda High School” (2011), “Malli Raava” (2017), and “Sita Ramam” (2022). His upbringing and early life reflect a unique blend of familial ties and cross-cultural experiences. Born to Surendra Yarlagadda and Satyavathi Akkineni, Sumanth is the cherished eldest grandchild of Akkineni Nageswara Rao. Following his birth in Hyderabad, India, his parents relocated to the US, but at the behest of his grandfather, Sumanth remained in India to be raised by his maternal grandparents. This decision stemmed from Nageswara Rao’s desire to experience the joys of parenthood more fully, having been preoccupied with his acting career during his children’s upbringing. Sumanth’s family background is steeped in the entertainment industry, with his father, Surendra Yarlagadda, being a renowned film producer, and his sister, Supriya Yarlagadda, serving as the executive director of Annapurna Studios. Additionally, Sumanth is connected to illustrious actors in the industry, including his maternal uncle Nagarjuna Akkineni, and cousins Naga Chaitanya, Akhil Akkineni, and Sushanth. Regarding his education, Sumanth attended the Hyderabad Public School before pursuing an engineering course in Michigan, which he later switched to a B.A. in Film Studies at Columbia College Chicago, graduating in 1997. Despite his foray into academia, his passion for acting ultimately led him back to the cinematic realm, where he continues to leave an indelible mark with his versatile performances and enduring legacy in Telugu cinema.