Who is Venkitesh VP? Meet the Malayalam reality show star making his Telugu debut with Vijay Deverakonda's 'Kingdom'

The Telugu film industry is abuzz with the upcoming release of Kingdom, starring Vijay Deverakonda. But one of the biggest surprises during the film's pre-release event in Hyderabad wasn't just the leading man, it was Venkitesh VP, a rising Malayalam actor who delivered a heartfelt and powerful speech that has since gone viral on social media.Venkitesh VP first shot to fame in Kerala through the Malayalam talent-hunt reality show Nayika Nayakan, helmed by acclaimed filmmaker Lal Jose. With prominent names like Kunchacko Boban mentoring the contestants, the show quickly became a favorite among Malayalam TV viewers. Venkitesh stood out from the very beginning, impressing audiences with his versatility, whether in emotional scenes, comedy sketches, or transformative performances.

One of his most memorable acts was in the “Naan Shanmughi” round, where he performed in drag, stunning judges and viewers alike. His comedic portrayals, especially as the character Sabu in a skit round and a hilarious newlywed groom in the “Premam” round, were equally well-received, making him one of the show’s standout finalists.After Nayika Nayakan, Venkitesh transitioned into Malayalam cinema, taking on notable roles in films such as Stand Up, The Priest, and Lovefully Yours Veda.

His screen presence and ability to immerse himself in diverse characters gained him a loyal fan following. He later returned to television as the host of the popular game show Udan Panam.Expanding his footprint beyond Kerala, Venkitesh made his Tamil film debut with Rebel, starring GV Prakash.While steadily growing his acting career, Venkitesh is also known for his entrepreneurial side, he runs an idli truck in Thiruvananthapuram.

Now, Venkitesh is all set to make his Telugu cinema debut in Gowtam Tinnanuri’s highly anticipated film Kingdom, headlined by Vijay Deverakonda. He plays the role of Murugan, a character that, according to Vijay himself, left a lasting impression.Introducing Venkitesh on social media, Vijay Deverakonda wrote,“World - I wanted to introduce you all to @venkitesh_vp AKA ‘MURUGAN’. It’s just his 4th film, but when I shared scenes with him, he made me feel like I was in his world.

Deadly actor, ferocious eyes and energy, sweet soul. He will make a strong mark.”At the Kingdom pre-release event in Hyderabad, Venkitesh addressed the massive crowd in Telugu — a language not native to him — and shared his emotional journey. From being a background artist in TV serials to finally landing a major role in a Telugu film, he revealed that the road took him nine long years.

“This is the first time I’ve seen such a large crowd.

I’ve always dreamt of this moment. I started with one or two lines in serials, then moved on to small roles in films, played a villain in a Tamil movie, and now I’m here in Kingdom,” he said.He also expressed his ambition to become a lead actor someday, adding,“I am so proud of myself. I just want to see myself as a star. Directors and producers, please consider me. Naa intro ki clap cheyyandi (Please clap for my introduction)!”