Nagulapati Srinivasa Chakravarthy, popularly known as J. D. Chakravarthy, is an Indian actor, filmmaker, screenwriter, and musician recognized for his versatile work across Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, and Malayalam cinema. He made a striking debut with the Telugu film Siva (1989), directed by Ram Gopal Varma, which became a cult classic and was screened at the 12th International Film Festival of India (IFFI). The success of Siva led to his entry into Bollywood with its Hindi remake, Shiva (1990), marking the beginning of a long-standing collaboration with Varma. His breakthrough Hindi role came in the crime drama Satya (1998), where his intense performance earned critical acclaim and a Screen Award Special Jury recognition. Satya was showcased at the 29th IFFI and listed among CNN-IBN’s 100 greatest Indian films of all time.

Throughout his career, Chakravarthy has appeared in over seventy films, taking on a wide range of roles in genres from action to drama to psychological thrillers. Some of his most celebrated Telugu films include Money (1993), Money Money (1995), Gulabi (1995), and Anaganaga Oka Roju (1997). For Gulabi, he received the prestigious Nandi Special Jury Award. Known for balancing commercial cinema with performance-oriented roles, he continued to feature in popular films like Mrugam, Bombay Priyudu, Premaku Swagatam, and Homam, a film he also directed. His on-screen persona has ranged from rugged anti-heroes to romantic leads, making him a dynamic figure in South Indian cinema.

In addition to acting, Chakravarthy has ventured into directing and producing, often working on projects with a gritty, realistic style. He has directed films such as Homam (2008) and Siddham (2009), showcasing his vision behind the camera. Most recently, he returned to form with a compelling role in the web series Dayaa (2023), which marked a strong comeback and introduced him to a new generation of viewers. J. D. Chakravarthy’s enduring career is marked by bold choices, collaborations with auteur filmmakers, and a commitment to challenging, unconventional cinema.