2002–2007 : Debut and breakthrough Naresh made his foray into films under the direction of
Ravi Babu in the film
Allari, an adult comedy in which he played the role of an 18-year-old who is infatuated with a beautiful girl. His performance was well praised by the critics.
idlebrain.com wrote, "Naresh is a natural actor and he suited the role perfectly. His dialogue delivery is perfect and has very good timing in doing comedy. He has a bright future ahead, if he chooses his future projects carefully." The film did exceptionally well at the box office, giving him recognition as "Allari Naresh". However, his next film
Dhanalakshmi, I Love You, a remake of
Ramji Rao Speaking, received negative reviews, and faltered at the box office. His third release
Thotti Gang, co-starring
Prabhu Deva and
Sunil, was successful at the box office, which was followed by two flops
Juniors, the remake of
Thulluvadho Ilamai and
Praanam, which featured him in a dual role. Naresh got his resurgence in the form of
Maa Alludu Very Good, co-starring
Rajendra Prasad, which was a massive hit at the box office. He debuted in Tamil with
Kurumbu, a remake of
Allari, which failed at the box office. His next was
Nenu co-starring
Veda and Abhishek, which is a remake of
Kaadhal Kondein. Though the film was a failure at the box office, he received wide critical acclaim for his portrayal of Vinod, a psychotic who falls in love with his friend, only to know that she's in love with his close friend, thus marking it as one of his finest performances to date.
IndiaGlitz wrote, "Naresh is more than adequate in a role that is a challenge to even seasoned artistes. He has to kindle detest as well as sympathy. It is a tightrope walk, and he passes muster. The only way for Naresh after this film is up." Naresh's lean phase continued with flops like
Nuvvante Naakishtam,
Danger and
Party, succeeded by
Kithakithalu, a blockbuster at the box office, with critics appreciating Naresh's performance.
Roommates and
Gopi – Goda Meedha Pilli failed at the box office. His next successful film,
Athili Sattibabu LKG, boosted his career, making him a common name in the Telugu film industry. Later on, after two back-to-back flops in the form of
Allare Allari and
Pellaindi Kaani, Naresh got his next success in the form of
Seema Sastri, thus ending 2007 on a happy note.
2008–2011: Commercial successes Naresh had eight releases in 2008, a rare feat in those days. His first three releases
Sundara Kanda,
Vishaka Express, in which he played a negative role, and
Pelli Kaani Prasad bombed at the box office, with Naresh's performance in the film
Vishaka Express getting huge applause from critics. His next film
Gamyam, co-starring
Sharwanand, was a critical as well as commercial success. Naresh played the role of Gali Seenu, a motorcycle thief who brings a change in the hero's attitude by his actions. His performance was well praised by the critics.
Rediff wrote, "Allari Naresh has finally found his groove. He excels as Srinu, a role that somewhat resembles what Jagapathi Babu played in Anthahpuram. The timing of his one-liners is absolutely perfect and natural. One has to see the film to believe it." He received
Nandi Award for Best Supporting Actor and
Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award for his performance, which remains to be one of his best performances in his career. While
Bommana Brothers Chandana Sisters and
Blade Babji were hits at the box office,
Siddu From Sikakulam was an average and
Dongala Bandi was an average grosser because of the weak story but the cast was praised for their respective performance at the box office. 2009 had two releases of Naresh, which were
Fitting Master and
Bendu Apparao R.M.P.
Fitting Master was an average grosser, while
Bendu Apparao R.M.P. was a hit at the box office, which was only successful film because of the performances of Meghana Raj and Allari Naresh, which stood resisting the super-success
Magadheera. He had seven releases in 2010, again a rare feat. He first starred in
Shambo Shiva Shambo, a remake of Tamil Film
Nadodigal, co-starring
Ravi Teja and Siva Balaji. The film received positive reviews mainly because of the performance. While
Rambabu Gadi Pellam,
Aakasa Ramanna, and
Subhapradam were flops at the box office,
Betting Bangaraju,
Saradaga Kasepu and
Kathi Kantha Rao were super hits at the box office. 2011 saw Naresh acting in five films, one of which was a cameo appearance. His first release of the year was
Aha Naa Pellanta, co-starring
Ritu Barmecha,
Srihari,
Subbaraju. He played the role of Subrahmanyam aka Subbu, a software engineer whose life takes a drastic turn when he and a girl of faction background misunderstand that they made love with each other. His performance was well praised by the critics. The film was a huge success, which was the only hit for Telugu cinema along with Ravi Teja's
Mirapakay and
Nani's
Ala Modalaindi. His next release,
Seema Tapakai, was also a success at the box office. He appeared in a cameo appearance in the film
Chandamama Katha, while his next film
Madatha Kaja was an average at the box office.
2012–present In 2012, Naresh starred in three films. The first was
Nuvva Nena co-starring
Shriya Saran and Sharwanand, which is based on
Deewana Mastana. His next film was
Sudigadu, a film composed of various spoofs on nearly 100 Telugu films, directed by
Bhimaneni Srinivasa Rao. The film did exceptionally well at the box office, cementing his position in Telugu cinema. His last release of the year was
Yamudiki Mogudu, in which he plays the role of a stage artist whose fate is not designed by the creator and his life after he falls in love with the daughter of the lord of death. The film was also a success at the box office. In 2013, He played the lead in
Action 3D, the first Indian 3D comedy film in Telugu. Besides, he also starred in
Kevvu Keka (2013) co-starring
Sharmila Mandre. In 2014, Naresh played an obese man in the film
Laddu Babu by Ravi Babu making his third collaboration with him after Allari and
Party with
Shashank as the co-actor. Later, he played a dual role in
Jump Jilani (2014), a remake of Tamil film
Kalakalappu. Naresh teamed up with filmmaker
Mohana Krishna Indraganti for the film
Bandipotu, produced by his elder brother Aryan Rajesh under
E. V .V. Cinema banner. The film is titled and based on
N. T. Rama Rao's
1968 film of the same name. The film released received mixed reviews from Idlebrain Jeevi and greatandhra pointing at the slow narration, however, praised Naresh's performance. In 2015, he appeared in the action comedy
James Bond, alongside
Sakshi Chaudhary Later the year, he co-starred with veteran Telugu actor
Mohan Babu for the film
Mama Manchu Alludu Kanchu which was directed by Srinivas Reddy. The film also starred
Meena and
Ramya Krishnan and this was Naresh's landmark 50th movie. He also appeared in a Tamil film
Poraali (2015) directed by
Samuthirakani. In 2016, he appeared in two films,
Selfie Raja and
Intlo Deyyam Nakem Bhayam, the latter gained garnered poor reviews but was praised for its comedy. In 2017, he starred in the film
Meda Meeda Abbayi, which was a remake of
Oru Vadakkan Selfie. In 2018,
Silly Fellows co-starring Allari Naresh and
Sunil was released. In 2019, Naresh co-starred alongside
Mahesh Babu for
Vamshi Paidipally-directed
Maharshi. The film grossed over worldwide. In 2021, Naresh starred in two films,
Bangaru Bullodu and
Naandhi. While
Bangaru Bullodu received an average response,
Naandhi was a critical and commercial success. In 2023, the upcoming film starring Allari Naresh is titled
Bachchala Malli. In 2024, Naresh starred in a new film titled
Aa Okkati Adakku, alongside
Faria Abdullah and directed by Malli Ankam, which released on 3 May 2024. == Filmography ==