Jeedigunta Varun Sandesh, also known and credited as Varun Sandesh, is an Indian American film actor and television personality known primarily for his works in Telugu cinema. He made his film debut with a leading role in Sekhar Kammula's coming-of-age drama Happy Days in 2007, which was a blockbuster at the box office and became a cult classic. Sandesh earned praise for his portrayal of a good hearted college student. He then starred in romantic dramaKotha Bangaru Lokam, which received critical acclaim and went on to become one of the biggest blockbusters of the year. Sandesh followed this initial success by starring in a number of films that didn't perform well at the box office, including action filmKurradu, a remake of the 2007 Tamil hit film Polladhavan, and romantic drama Maro Charitra, a remake of the K. Balachander-directed same-titled 1978 blockbuter starring Kamal Haasan. Sandesh's career prospect declined further with a series of box office flops in the 2010s, with his only successes being romantic comedyYemaindi Ee Vela, crime comedy D for Dopidi, and ensemble comedy Pandavulu Pandavulu Thummeda. In 2019, Sandesh became a notable television personality as he participated in Star Maa's reality TV showBigg Boss Telugu 3, reaching the grand finale and finishing in 4th place. Sandesh is also the brand ambassador for Kalanjali store in Andhra Pradesh, India.
Personal life
Varun Sandesh was born in Rayagada, Orissa and later lived in Hyderabad for four years. His family then moved to Bridgewater Township, New Jersey, in the United States, where he was educated. Varun Sandesh is the grandson of noted Telugu writer Jeedigunta Ramachandra Murthy, who worked for All India Radio for 28 years in Hyderabad. His uncle Jeedigunta Sridhar is a popular Telugu television personality in Hyderabad, India. He has one younger sister, Veena Sahithi, who has worked as a singer and lyricist in Nandini Reddy's Ala Modalaindi. Sandesh and actress Shraddha Das, who was his co-star in Maro Charitra, had a short-lived relationship in 2011. Varun got engaged with actress Vithika Sheru on 7 December 2015, and they went on to get married.
Career
In 2007, Sandesh saw the advertisement for an audition for a Sekhar Kammula film on a website and applied for the role, although he had no previous acting experience and was planning to pursue medical studies. He received a reply with the script of one scene from the film, which he was asked to enact and send back. He shot and sent video clippings of himself to Kammula, and promptly landed a lead role in the film Happy Days. Featuring an ensemble cast comprising almost entirely newcomers, Happy Days was a high critical and commercial success, winning several accolades, including six Filmfare Awards South and three Nandi Awards.
