Bobby Kolli

Biography

Kolli Santosh Ravindra, widely known as K. S. Ravindra, Bobby, or Bobby Kolli, is a prominent Indian film director and screenwriter primarily working in Telugu cinema. He is celebrated for his storytelling skills and notable contributions to the industry, having won the Best Debut Director Award for his 2014 film Power at the Santosham Film Awards.

Early Life and Career

K.S. Ravindra was born and raised in Guntur, India. After completing his Bachelor of Commerce (B. Com) degree, he began his journey in the film industry in 2003 by joining writer Chinna Krishna. Ravindra honed his craft by working under several acclaimed directors like Dasaradh and Gopichand Malineni.

His first directorial venture was Power in 2014, which starred Ravi Teja and marked his debut as a director. This debut film laid the foundation for his directorial career, earning him accolades and recognition in the Telugu film industry.

Career Highlights

Debut and Initial Success

• Power (2014): This marked K.S. Ravindra's directorial debut and earned him the Best Debut Director Award at the Santosham Film Awards. The film established his signature storytelling style and direction.
•  

Commercial Challenges

• Sardaar Gabbar Singh (2016): This film starred Pawan Kalyan, but despite high expectations, it was a commercial failure. The film's reception marked a turning point in his career.
•  

Breakthrough with Blockbusters

• Jai Lava Kusa (2017): Ravindra's next directorial was a game-changer. The film, starring Jr NTR, showcased his ability to craft engaging narratives. Jai Lava Kusa became a major success, grossing over ₹100 crore worldwide and cementing Ravindra's position as one of the top directors in Telugu cinema.
•  

Venky Mama (2019):

Ravindra directed Venky Mama, which starred Venkatesh and Naga Chaitanya. Although the film received mixed reviews, it was still profitable. Critics highlighted Ravindra's ability to explore family dynamics and emotional bonding through his storytelling:

• Karthik Kumar from Hindustan Times praised the camaraderie between the lead actors, calling it the film’s strongest element.
•  
• Conversely, Hemanth Kumar from Firstpost criticized the film’s lack of depth, describing it as a mix of humor and sentiment without a strong narrative impact.
•  

Recent Success - Waltair Veerayya (2023):

In January 2023, during the Sankranti season, K.S. Ravindra’s latest film Waltair Veerayya was released. Featuring Telugu superstars Chiranjeevi and Ravi Teja, the film was an action-packed entertainer that resonated with audiences, further solidifying Ravindra's expertise in crafting mass entertainer blockbusters.

Awards

• Best Debut Director Award for Power (2014) at the Santosham Film Awards