Neeraja Kona

Biography

Neeraja Kona was born on April 29, 1983, in Bapatla, Andhra Pradesh. She comes from a film-oriented family — her brother, Kona Venkat, is a well-known screenwriter and producer in the Telugu film industry.

Entry into Fashion & Styling

Neeraja began her career as a stylist and costume designer in Telugu cinema. She first worked as an assistant stylist for the film Baadshah (2013), starring Jr. NTR and Kajal Aggarwal. Her work quickly gained attention, leading to projects such as Gunde Jaari Gallanthayyinde, Courier Boy Kalyan, and Heart Attack.

She became the personal stylist for actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu, a collaboration that helped her rise to prominence in both the Telugu and Tamil film industries. Her fresh and elegant approach to costume design soon made her one of the most sought-after stylists in South Indian cinema.

Other Work: Lyrics & Fashion Label

Besides styling, Neeraja has written song lyrics for several films, including Thikka, Chal Mohan Ranga, and Miss India.

She also launched her own clothing label, Kaluva, which focuses on hand-block printed cotton wear. The brand reflects her love for comfort, sustainability, and supporting local artisans — especially homemakers involved in textile crafts.

Personal Life

Neeraja married Ajay in June 2014 in Hyderabad, and the couple has a son named Ansh, born in 2015.

Move to Direction: Telusu Kada

After over a decade as a stylist and designer, Neeraja Kona turned to filmmaking. She is making her directorial debut with the Telugu film Telusu Kada, starring Siddhu Jonnalagadda, Raashii Khanna, and Srinidhi Shetty. The film’s music is composed by Thaman S and is scheduled for release in October 2025, around Deepavali.

Neeraja has shared that storytelling has always been her passion, and her years in costume design helped her understand characters and emotions — skills that now influence her direction and writing.