“Being good is easy. Playing bad — now that’s real acting.”
In an industry where actors gravitate toward safe, polished, and hero-like roles, Nandiki Gangadhar Reddy, the powerhouse producer, businessman, and fitness icon, has done what few dare to: He embraced the villain.
And not just any villain — a larger-than-life, movie-obsessed, hysterically unpredictable antagonist in the Odia blockbuster Apana Mane Khusi Ta.
The Unexpected Turn
Reddy, known for his discipline, fitness, and clean lifestyle — a teetotaller, non-smoker, and principled professional — had every reason to choose a heroic, respectable character that aligned with his real-life persona. But that’s not his style.
“If there’s no challenge, I don’t enjoy it,” Reddy said with a smile. “I’ve always gone against the current. This was no different.”
And challenge he did.
The Birth of a Cult Villain
In Apana Mane Khusi Ta, Reddy played a film-obsessed rogue villain — loud, flashy, and completely unpredictable. His character constantly mimicked iconic stars — from Allu Arjun’s Pushpa swagger, Rajinikanth’s Kaala charisma, to Salman Khan’s Bhai attitude, Amitabh Bachchan’s angry young man aura, Sanjay Dutt’s brooding menace, and Yash’s fierce ‘Rocky Bhai’ style from KGF.
The result? A performance that became the soul of the film’s comedy and chaos.
Reddy’s timing, expressions, and body language were so over-the-top yet deliciously believable that the audience didn’t just laugh — they cheered. He was equal parts villain and entertainer, creating a new archetype in Odia cinema: the lovable lunatic bad guy.
Standing Tall Among Stars
Alongside Dipa Mishra, the breakout lead actress, and Mahaprasad, a crowd-favorite performer, Reddy held his ground — and in many scenes, stole the show. His villain didn’t just create conflict — he delivered punchlines, iconic dialogues, and unforgettable mimicry.
Audiences walked out quoting his lines, recreating his style, and dancing to his villainous entry music. What was meant to be a supporting role, turned into a phenomenon.
More Than Just a Role — A Statement
By choosing to play the villain, Reddy sent a clear message to the film world:
“True acting is when you can step out of your comfort zone and still connect with the crowd.”
And connect he did — not with heroic sermons, but with chaotic brilliance.
Nandiki Gangadhar Reddy: The Villain Who Won Our Hearts
Today, “Apana Mane Khusi Ta” is remembered not just as a comedy blockbuster, but as the film that introduced Odisha to a new kind of antagonist — one who dances, mimics, rants, rages, and still makes the audience fall in love.
A villain was born. And what a glorious birth it was.
FOR MORE DETAILS
https://share.google/xSL4j2fajkrwFR2El
