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Anusha Rao (Filmmaker) Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 28, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

BirthplaceHyderabad, Telangana

ProfessionFilmmaker

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried

SpouseRohit Bandaru

FamilyBrother - Anirudh Rao; Sister - Archana Rao (fashion designer)

Anusha Rao (Filmmaker) Biography

Anusha Rao Gunti is an Indian filmmaker from Hyderabad known for writing and directing the Telugu short film Swarna, which screened at the New York Indian

Early life and background

Anusha Rao Gunti hails from Hyderabad, Telangana, where she was born and raised. She completed undergraduate studies that culminated in a Bachelor of Engineering and later pursued film studies in the United States, earning an associate degree of science in film from the Los Angeles Film School (2016–2017). Rao also attended Osmania University in Hyderabad during her academic formation.

Career

Rao began her professional journey with roles that combined marketing and film. Early on she worked as a marketing intern and volunteered with local initiatives, and in 2014 she joined Arka Media Works in Hyderabad as a marketing strategist. While at Arka she contributed to marketing and international distribution efforts for the high-profile production Baahubali: The Beginning (2015). She returned to Arka Mediaworks in December 2018 as a script supervisor.

Her creative work as a writer and director includes a 2018 Los Angeles project titled Left Behind, and the short fiction film Swarna, which is credited as her debut short (2020). Swarna was produced during the 2020 lockdown and tells a fictional story set around a family ostracised because of a crime. The film was produced by filmmaker Venkatesh Maha, shot in rural Telangana with non-professional actors, and made use of local dialects and community collaboration for authenticity. Sound work on the production received attention for its strong sync sound achieved on location.

Recognition

Swarna was screened at the New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF) in May 2022, bringing Rao’s work to an international festival audience and marking a notable milestone in her career.

Skills and creative approach

Rao has developed skills in screenwriting and video editing and is familiar with tools commonly used in post-production, including Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe Photoshop, and Pro Tools. Her filmmaking perspective was shaped in part by time spent in Los Angeles, where interactions and exposure to diverse storytelling changed how she thought about representation. Ultimately she chose to focus her writing on stories rooted in Indian culture.

Public profile

Rao speaks English, Hindi and Telugu. She comes from a family without a film industry background; however, creative work runs nearby—her sister Archana Rao has worked in film costume and design. Rao is known to be a dog lover, maintains an active gym routine, and occasionally shares aspects of social life online.

Personal life

Anusha Rao is married to Rohit Bandaru; the couple’s marriage date is listed as 20 June 2020. Her family includes a brother, Anirudh Rao, and sister Archana Rao. Rao’s birthplace and hometown are both listed as Hyderabad, Telangana. Her dietary preference is non-vegetarian.

Latest updates

The most recent notable public update in Rao’s career is the screening of Swarna at the New York Indian Film Festival in May 2022. That festival appearance remains the primary festival recognition cited in available records.

Public image and interests

Rao’s stated influences and early viewing included works by Indian filmmakers whose films she watched as a child. Her public comments about time spent studying and working in Los Angeles emphasize a desire to tell stories that are culturally rooted in India. She has combined practical industry roles with creative projects, moving between marketing, script supervision and directing, and has worked both in India and briefly in the U.S.
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Recent Work

Swarna

Telugu short film written and directed by Anusha Rao; produced during the 2020 lockdown and screened at the New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF) 2022.

2020
Left Behind

Worked as writer and director on a Los Angeles project titled Left Behind (2018).

2018
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Career Highlights

  1. Wrote and directed the short film Swarna (2020)
  2. Swarna screened at the New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF) 2022
  3. Worked in marketing and international distribution for Baahubali: The Beginning (2015) with Arka Media Works
  4. Studied film at the Los Angeles Film School (associate degree)
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Anusha Rao (Filmmaker) known for?

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Who is Anusha Rao (Filmmaker) married to?

Rohit Bandaru