Sivaji (Telugu actor)

Sontineni Sivaji is an Indian actor, dubbing artist, and politician. He works in Telugu cinema and won the Nandi Award for Best Male Dubbing Artist for Dil. His notable performances include Missamma (2003), Adirindayya Chandram (2005), Satyabhama (2007), Mantra (2007), Taj Mahal (2010), and Gangstars (2018). In 2023, he entered in Telugu reality TV show Bigg Boss 7, and emerged as the second runner-up.

Outside acting, Sivaji is politically active as a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party. He embarked on a hunger strike to demand special status for Andhra Pradesh.

Acting career
Sivaji is from Vinukonda, a town in Palnadu district. Sivaji started his stint as an editor in Gemini TV. He was offered a role in a TV serial and from then he started getting offers in Telugu movies. He acted in minor roles in notable films such as Kushi and Indra. Unlike his contemporaries he did not come from a film family. He dubbed for Nithiin in the latter's early career. He did many films as a second hero. Sivaji's first success as a solo hero came with the film Missamma (2003).

Politics
Ever since the movement for keeping the state united in Andhra Pradesh, Sivaji became vocal about the political issues. Despite being a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) he started his fast unto death on granting a special status to Andhra Pradesh, which was a promise made by the erstwhile congress government at the time of bifurcation of the state.