Early life

Raja was born Raja Abel in Vizag to a Christian mother from London and Brahmin father from Andhra. In 1983, his mother died of uterine cancer and in 1989, his father died of cardiac arrest.

Raja studied in St. Andrews High School, Saidabad (New SBH Colony) and finished his SSC in 1993. He has two sisters called Vijaya/Victory (elder) and Padmini (younger). Padmini is married and used to live in Akkayyapalem. Vijaya is unmarried.

Career

Raja made his debut in the film O Chinnadana alongside Gajala and Srikanth. He started his career with a few flop films. Though his initial movies were not successful, he won many accolades for his performance. He was well known for his performance in the film Anand, which became a big hit in the year 2004. Even before Anand was released, he played a small role in Mahesh Babu's Arjun, which made him noticeable. Immediately after Anand he acted in another hit film Aa Naluguru in which he played the son of Rajendra Prasad. Raja delivered another big hit, Vennela in 2005 which was mostly filmed in USA by debutant NRIs. In 2008, he appeared in the film Nee Sukhame Ne Koruthunna, alongside actress Sneha.

 Filmography

• Inkosari (2009) (Telugu)
• Samardhudu (2009) (Telugu)..opposite Sanjana(co-actor(s) - Krishnam Raju).
• Jaganmohini (2009) (Telugu/Tamil)..opposite Namitha.(co-actor(s) - Meera Chopra).
• Andamaina Abaddham (2008) (Telugu)..opposite Kamna Jethmalani.
• Idi Sangathi (2008) (Telugu)..co-actors - Tabu,Abbas.
• Bhadradri (2008) (Telugu)
• Nee Sukhamey Ney Korukunna (2008) (Telugu)
• Mr. Medhavi (2008)..opposite Genelia D'souza.
• Kanna (2008) (Tamil)
• Toss (2007)..opposite Priyamani.
• Shankar Dada Zindabad (2007)
• Veduka (2007)..opposite Poonam Bajwa.
• Maya Bazaar (2006)
• Bangaram (2006) (cameo)..opposite Meera Chopra.(co-actor - Powerstar Pavan Kalyan).
• Style (2006)..opposite Charmee.(co-actors-Lawrence,Prabhu Deva,Kamalinee).
• Kokila (2006)..opposite Saloni.
• Vennela (2005)..opposite Parvathi Melton.
• Mogudu Pellam O Dongodu (2005)..opposite Shreya Saran.(co-actor - Brahmanandam).
• Oka Oorilo (2005) ..opposite Saloni.(co-actor(s) - Tarun).
• Aa Naluguru (2004)
• Anand (2004)..opp. Kamalinee mukherji. (His biggest hit).
• Arjun (2004)..opposite Keerthi Reddy.(co-actor(s) - Prince Mahesh Babu).
• Appudappudu (2003)
• Vijayam (2003)
• O Chinnadana (2002)