A prominent Indian actor who predominantly works in Telugu cinema, Konidela Sai Varun Tej, popularly known as Varun Tej, is an Indian actor, producer, and writer.
Born on 19 January 1990 (36 years old) in Hyderabad, Telangana, India, Tej belongs to the illustrious Konidela–Allu film dynasty, one of the most celebrated families in South Indian cinema.
Despite being born into cinematic royalty, Varun Tej carved his own identity with a diverse body of work ranging from war dramas to romantic films and action thrillers.
His roles in the war epic Kanche (2015), the blockbuster romantic drama Fidaa (2017), and the action-comedy franchise F2: Fun and Frustration (2019) and F3 (2022) made him very famous.
Tej became one of the Top 30 highest-paid Telugu actors in the IndiawoodBizz list in 2021.
Quick Facts of Varun Tej
| Full Name | Konidela Sai Varun Tej |
| Profession | Actor, Producer |
| Age | 36 years old |
| Date of Birth | 19 January 1990 |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Zodiac/Sun Sign | Capricorn |
| Birthplace | Hyderabad, Telangana, India |
| Current Address | Hyderabad, Telangana, India |
| Gender | Male |
Varun Tej Early Life and Education
Varun Tej grew up in Hyderabad, Telangana, surrounded by the world of Telugu cinema.
His home environment was shaped by the creative film legacies of his uncles, which naturally drew him toward acting.
Education
Varun Tej completed his schooling at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s Public School, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, before pursuing higher studies at St. Mary’s College, Hyderabad.
| School | Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s Public School, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad |
| Alma Mater | St. Mary’s College, Hyderabad |
| Highest Qualification | Yet to be updated |
Varun Tej Personal Life
Varun Tej is married to actress Lavanya Tripathi. The couple married on 1 November 2023 in a traditional ceremony held in Tuscany, Italy.
How They Met
Varun Tej and Lavanya Tripathi first met on the sets of the film Mister in 2017.
While working together on the film, they gradually developed a close friendship that blossomed into a romantic relationship.
The couple went on to work together a second time in the space thriller film Antariksham 9000 KMPH (2018), further deepening their bond.
Before getting hitched, the couple kept their relationship very private. It is known that both were dating for 7 years.
Their Engagement
It is known that he proposed to Lavanya on her birthday in Bangalore with a diamond ring.
Thereafter, they got engaged on 8 June 2023 in a private ceremony held in Hyderabad.
The engagement was attended by their parents and close family members, including Chiranjeevi, Ram Charan, andAllu Arjun.
Their Marriage
Varun Tej and Lavanya Tripathi tied the knot in November 2023 in an intimate and traditional ceremony at a beautiful venue in Tuscany, Italy, away from the public eye.
About Wife
Lavanya Tripathi is a popular Indian actress who primarily works in Telugu films.
She made her acting debut with the Telugu film Andala Rakshasi (2012) and has since appeared in several successful films, such as Bhale Bhale Magadivoy (2015).
She is known for her charming screen presence and strong performances.
Tripathi is a recipient of CineMAA Awards, Zee Telugu Apsara Awards, Sakshi Excellence Awards, and Zee Cine Awards Telugu for her acting performances.
Children
The couple welcomed their first child, a son named Vaayuv Tej Konidela, on 10 September 2025. The name was officially announced on the occasion of Vijayadashami on 2 October 2025.
Family
Varun Tej hails from one of the most prominent families in South Indian cinema — the Konidela–Allu family.
Father
His father, Nagendra Babu, is a well-known Telugu actor, producer and politician.
Nagendra has received one National Film Award and two Nandi Awards for his work as a producer.
Since March 2025, he has been the general secretary of the Janasena Party and the Member of Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council.
Mother
Varun’s mother, Padmaja Konidela, is a homemaker.
Sister
His younger sister, Niharika Konidela, is an Indian actress and producer who works in Telugu films.
Niharika produces films and web series under her production banner Pink Elephant Pictures.
Konidela married Chaitanya Jonnalagadda, who is a corporate business strategist and tech professional who graduated from BITS Pilani and ISB Hyderabad, in 2020.
She received a heartfelt note from her mother on her arranged marriage.
They got divorced after 3 years of an arranged marriage.
Uncle
Tej is the nephew of superstar Chiranjeevi and actor-politician Pawan Kalyan.
Cousins
His cousins are actor Ram Charan, Allu Arjun, Allu Sirish, Sai Dharam Tej, and Panja Vaisshnav Tej.
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Wife | Lavanya Tripathi |
| Children | Son: Vaayuv Tej Konidela |
| Parents | Father: Nagendra Babu Mother: Padmaja Konidela |
| Siblings | Sister: Niharika Konidela |
Varun Tej Career
The versatile actor Varun Tej began his film career in 2000.
He made his very first on-screen appearance as a child artist in his father Nagendra Babu’s family film Hands Up!
Tej played a character named Varun.
His Adult Debut (2014)
In 2014, Tej made his adult acting debut with the Telugu romantic drama Mukunda, opposite Pooja Hegde.
His Breakthrough Role (2015)
In 2015, Varun Tej delivered a career-defining performance in the critically acclaimed war film Kanche, directed by Krish Jagarlamudi.
In this film, he was cast opposite Pragya Jaiswal.
The film takes place during World War II. Tej played Dhupati Haribabu, a soldier torn between love and duty.
In the same year, he also appeared in Loafer with Disha Patani.
Romantic Successes (2017–2018)
In 2017, Varun Tej starred in the light-hearted comedy Mister with his wife, Lavanya Tripathi and Hebah Patel.
However, in the second half of the same year, he starred alongside Sai Pallavi in Fidaa, directed by Sekhar Kammula.
In the film, he was cast as an NRI who falls in love with a village belle.
Next year, he starred in Tholi Prema, directed by Venky Atluri, in which he played an impulsive young man with Raashii Khanna.
In the same year, he starred in Sankalp Reddy’s space thriller Antariksham 9000 KMPH.
In the film, he again acted alongside Lavanya Tripathi.
Multi-Starrer Blockbuster (2019)
Varun Tej first appeared in the multi-starrer comedy F2: Fun and Frustration in 2019.
Venkatesh, Tamannaah Bhatia, and Mehreen Pirzada were his co-stars in the film.
His Casting in the Tamil Remake of Jigarthanda (2019)
In the same year, he also starred in Gaddalakonda Ganesh, a remake of the Tamil film Jigarthanda.
Mirnalini Ravi, Pooja Hegdeand Atharvaa were his co-stars in this Harish Shankar-directed film.
Boxing Drama and F Sequel (2022)
In 2022, Varun Tej took on the physically demanding role of a boxer in Ghani.
Tej was along with Upendra, Suniel Shetty, and Saiee Manjrekar.
In the same year, he also appeared in the blockbuster sequel F3: Fun and Frustration with the same cast.
His Bollywood Debut in a Pan-India Bilingual Film (2024)
Tej starred in the Telugu film Gandeevadhari Arjuna with Sakshi Vaidya
and Vinay Rai in 2023.
In 2024, he made his Bollywood debut in Operation Valentine, a bilingual Telugu-Hindi aerial action drama inspired by true events.
In this film, Manushi Chhillar was his co-star.
In the same year, he appeared in Matka, a period drama set in the world of gambling.
Actresses Meenakshi Chaudhary and Nora Fatehi were cast alongside him in the film.
Varun Tej Upcoming Film Projects
Varun Tej’s most anticipated upcoming film project is Korean Kanakaraju, a cross-cultural Indo-Korean horror comedy with Ritika Nayak and Satya.
This film is directed by Merlapaka Gandhi and produced by First Frame Entertainment and UV Creations. The film is set to release on August 2026.
Tej is set to appear as Bhari during Sankranti 2027 as a volleyball player.
His next film, Mitra, is under pre-production.
Varun Tej Awards and Achievements
Varun Tej has received recognition and praise for his acting performances in Telugu cinema.
Key Nominations
- South Indian International Movie Awards (SIIMA) (2015): Nominated for Best Actor – Telugu for Kanche (2015)
- Zee Telugu Golden Awards (2017): Nominated for Entertainer of the Year (Male) for Fidaa (2017)
- Zee Cine Awards Telugu (2018): Nominated for Best Film Actor for Tholi Prema (2018)
- South Indian International Movie Awards (SIIMA) (2019): Nominated for Best Actor – Telugu for Gaddalakonda Ganesh (2019)
- Forbes India (2021): Ranked 27th among the most influential stars on Instagram in South cinema
- Hyderabad Times Most Desirable Men: Ranked 7th in 2019 and 17th in 2020.
- Rediff.com’s ‘Top Telugu Actors’ (2012): Ranked in 5th position for his acting performance.
Varun Tej Controversies
Varun Tej has generally maintained a controversy-free public image throughout his career. However, a few incidents drew public attention towards him:
Car Accident Controversy (2019): On 12 June 2019, while Varun was travelling from Hyderabad to Bengaluru, his Mercedes-Benz car, driven by his driver, rammed into a Tata Indica car near Rayanipeta, Wanaparthy. 4 people in the Indica car sustained minor injuries. Legal action was taken against his driver for overspeeding. Varun and his friends left the scene in another vehicle, drawing criticism online.
Ghani Box Office Failure (2022): Following the release of his boxing drama Ghani, which was a significant box office failure, Varun Tej faced criticism for his choice of scripts and the film’s poor execution. However, he publicly acknowledged the failure, issued an apology, and accepted responsibility in a heartfelt social media note, which was widely praised as a sign of maturity and professionalism.
Online Trolling & Family Backlash: As a prominent member of the mega film family, Varun is occasionally targeted by internet trolls concerning his film choices. He has notably fired back at “judgmental” critics online.
Varun Tej Net Worth
Varun Tej’s net worth is approximately $6.5 million (approximately ₹57 crore), and he charges ₹5 crore–₹6 crore per film.
| Net Worth in Dollars (Approx.) | $6.5 million (approximately ₹57 crore) |
| Salary (Approx.) | ₹5 crore–₹6 crore per film |
Varun Tej Height, Weight and Physical Stats
The following are the physical appearances of Varun Tej:
| Height | In centimetres: 193 cm In meters: 1.93 m In feet & inches: 6 feet 4 inches |
| Weight | In kg: 90 kg In lbs: 198 lbs |
| Body Measurements | 42-30-16 |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Brown |
Varun Tej Instagram, Threads, X, Facebook, YouTube
 @varunkonidela7 | |
| Threads |  @varuntej__konidela |
| X |  @IAmVarunTej |
 @IamVarunTej | |
| YouTube |  @VarunTejofficial |
Interesting Facts About Varun Tej
- For his film Mukunda, Varun underwent a dramatic physical transformation, losing approximately 30 kg.
- Varun produced the Telugu film Suryakantham (2019), demonstrating his interest in production alongside his acting career.
- Tej enjoys travelling and reading books during his time off from film shoots.
- He had undergone knee surgery after practising a volleyball session for Bhari film.
- He is a Narrator of Nanna Koochi, a TV Show in 2018.
- Tej appeared in Bigg Boss 3 in 2019 as a guest.
FAQs
Who is Varun Tej?
Varun Tej, whose full name is Konidela Sai Varun Tej, is an Indian actor who works predominantly in Telugu cinema.
How old is Varun Tej?
Varun Tej is 36 years old. He was born on 19 January 1990 in Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
What is Varun Tej famous for?
Varun Tej is famous for his critically acclaimed performance in the 2015 war film Kanche and the romantic film Fidaa (2017)
Is Varun Tej married?
Yes, Varun Tej is married to actress Lavanya Tripathi. The couple got engaged on 8 June 2023 in Hyderabad and married on 1 November 2023 in a traditional ceremony in Tuscany, Italy.
Does Varun Tej have kids?
Yes, Varun Tej and Lavanya Tripathi have a son named Vaayuv Tej Konidela, who was born on 10 September 2025.
