Top Kannada Actors
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Shiva Rajkumar is an Indian actor, producer, and television presenter who works in the Kannada entertainment industry. He was born in Madras (now Chennai) and is the first of five children of legendary actor and Kannada matinee idol Rajkumar and film producer Parvathamma Rajkumar.
Rajkumar did his schooling in T. Nagar, Chennai, and then studied at New College, Chennai. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Madras University in 1983. On the recommendation by film director K. Balachander, Rajkumar joined an acting school in Chennai after completing his graduation. He also trained in Kuchipudi dance under Vempetti Chinni Sathyam in Chennai during his college days.
Rajkumar's first appearance was in a small role in the 1974 movie Shri Srinivasa Kalyana (1974). Years later, he debuted in the Kannada film industry with Anand (1986), for which he also won the Cinema Express Award for Best Actor.
Rajkumar got married to Geeta, the daughter of the former Chief Minister of Karnataka, Sarekoppa Bangarappa, in 1986.
He got the title of 'hat-trick hero' from his fans after his first three films, Anand (1986), Ratha Sapthami (1986), and Manamecchida Hudugi (1987), were all superhits.
His other movies, like Janumada Jodi (1996), Nammoora Mandaara Hoove (1996), AK 47 (1999), Jogi the King (2005), Bhajarangi (2013), Shivalinga (2016), Mufti (2017), and Tagaru (2018) were equally successful and were blockbusters at the box office.
His film Om (1995), directed by Upendra, is still shown in cinemas and set the trend for gangster movies in Kannada and other film industries.
His performance in Bhoomi Thayiya Chochchala Maga (1998) was highly applauded; Srikanth Srinivasa of the Deccan Herald called it his "best performance to date". Bhajarangi (2013) was a box-office success that was released in 212 cinema halls in Karnataka alone. It ran successfully for more than 100 days.
In 2010, Rajkumar made his television debut with the talk show Naaniruvude Nimagagi on Zee Kannada. His fans were looking forward to his first film appearance outside of Kannada cinema with the Tamil film Jailer (2023).
Rajkumar has also been involved in the production of the TV serial Manasa Sarovara and the co-production of the web series Hate You and Honeymoon.
Rajkumar won four Filmfare Awards in the Best Actor category for Om in 1996, Nammoora Mandara Hoove in 1997, A.K. 47 in 2000, and Thamassu in 2011. He was also lauded with four state awards for Om, Hrudaya Hrudaya, Chigurida Kanasu, and Jogi.
Besides, he was a recipient of the NTR National Award in 2011, received the SIIMA Award for Social Responsibility in 2012, and was felicitated with the Kohinoor of South India honour by the British South India Council of Commerce and Visionnaire Entertainment in 2016.
Rajkumar received his honorary doctorate from Vijayanagara Sri Krishnadevaraya University of Bellary in 2014.- Actor
- Music Department
- Director
Sudeep is an Indian film actor, director, producer, screenwriter, playback singer, anchor, and cricketer who works primarily in Kannada cinema. He won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor - Kannada for three consecutive years for his films Huchcha (2001), Nandhi (2002) and Swathi Muthu (2003). Since 2013, he is hosting the television reality show Bigg Boss in Kannada which only regional language holds other than Hindi.- Actor
- Music Department
- Producer
Puneeth Rajkumar colloquially known as Appu, King Appu, and Power Star was an Indian actor, playback singer, television presenter, philanthropist, and producer who worked in Kannada films.
At the age of six months, Rajkumar was seen on the big screen as a child artist in the thriller Premada Kanike (1976). The film's director, V. Somasekhar selected him for a role, with his father playing the male lead. The following year, when Rajkumar was just one year old, he was cast in Sanadhi Appanna (1977), another film featuring his father in the lead role, alongside Jaya Prada and T.N. Balakrishna.
Between 1976 and 1989, Rajkumar featured in multiple films and established himself as a successful child actor. In 1981, he acted and recorded his first hit song "Baana Daariyalli Soorya" in the film in the film Bhagyavantha (1981). The song was composed by T.G. Lingappa.
Rajkumar was awarded the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Child Actor (Male) for his performance in Chelisuva Modagalu (1982). He also received his second Karnataka State Film Award in the same category for his role in Eradu Nakshatragalu (1983).
Rajkumar's biggest breakthrough as a child actor came with the film Bettada Hoovu (1985). which was adapted from the novel "What Then, Raman?" by Shirley L. Arora. He was honored with the award for Best Child Artist at the 33rd National Film Awards.
During his early teens, Rajkumar acted in Shiva Mecchida Kannappa (1988) along with his father and sibling Shivarajkumar. His last role as a child actor was in Parashuram (1989), where he shared screen space with his father.
In 1994, Rajkumar joined his family's production house Vajreshwari Combines, as a manager.
As a lead, Rajkumar made his debut in Appu (2002) opposite Rakshitha. The film was a box office success. Following this, Rajkumar appeared in many commercially successful films as a lead actor, such as Abhi (2003), Veera Kannadiga (2004), Ajay (2006), Arasu (2007), Vamshi (2008), Jackie (2010), Hudugaru (2011), Rana Vikrama (2015), Raajakumara (2017), Natasaarvabhowma (2019), and James (2022).
Rajkumar's final appearance on the big screen was in Gandhada Gudi (2022), a docudrama in which he played himself. The film was released on October 28, 2022, just a day before his first death anniversary.
Apart from acting, Rajkumar made his mark in professional singing too. He sang for movies like Appu (2002), Lava Kusha (2007), Vamshi (2008), Jackie (2010), Mylari (2010), and Akira (2016).
On the small screen, Rajkumar hosted the game show Kannadada Kotyadhipathi (2012). The show was modelled on the American game show, 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?' He also hosted Family Power (2017), a reality show on Colors Kannada.
In his career spanning three decades, Rajkumar won several awards, including one National Film Award, six Filmfare Awards South, four Karnataka State Film Awards, and five SIIMA Awards.
Rajkumar was awarded an honorary doctorate posthumously by the University of Mysuru (Mysore) (UoM). He was conferred Karnataka Ratna, the highest civilian award in the state, by the Karnataka Government on November 1, 2022.
Rajkumar died on October 29, 2021, in Bengaluru, Karnataka, after suffering a heart attack.- Actor
- Producer
Born on 8th January 1986, Yash started his acting career in theatre. He made his television debut with the Kannada show Nanda Gokula which was extremely successful and worked in various other TV shows after that. He made his big screen debut with Moginna Manasu and headlined many superhits like Googly, Raja Huli, Gajakesari, and Mr and Mrs Ramachari.
With the massive success of KGF chapter 1, which was released in 2018 in five languages, Rocking Star Yash achieved PAN India stardom and became a household name across India. The film collected over INR 250 crores and was also the most-streamed film on an OTT platform in 2019.
Superstar Yash will be seen next in KGF Chapter 2, which is one of the most awaited films of Indian cinema. The trailer of KGF 2 is already the most-watched Indian trailer ever, and the film is expected to set new benchmarks in the Indian film industry.
In 2017 Yash along with his actress wife Radhika Pandit founded an organization and named it as Yasho Marga Foundation.- Actor
- Music Department
Darshan was born in Ponnampet, Kodagu, Karnatka, India. His Father Thoogudeepa Srinivas, Actor and His Mother Meena. He has a brother named Dinakar Thogudeepa, Film director, screenwriter & Producer and a sister named Divya. Darshan married to Vijaya Lakshmi in 2000. The couple blessed with a son named Vineesh. Darshan is Hindu by religion and His Nationality Indian & Star Sign Aquarius.
Darshan Age 40 Years Old. His Height 6ft 2in/ 188 cm and Weight 85 Kg/ 187 lbs. His Body Measurements 42-33-13.5 Inches. Darshan Chest 42 Inches, Waist 33 Inches and Biceps 13.5 Inches. His Feet Size/ Shoe Size 10 Inches. Darshan Has Black Color Hair and Brown Color Eye.- Dhruva Sarja was born on 6 October 1988 in Bangalore, Karnataka, India. He is an actor, known for Bahaddur (2014), Martin and Bharjari (2017).
- Actor
- Producer
- Writer
Rakshit Shetty is an Indian actor, writer, producer, and filmmaker who is also the recipient of two Filmfare awards.
Shetty studied in Udupi and completed his graduation at N.M.A.M. Institute of Technology, Nitte, Karkala, in Electronics and Communications Engineering. He ventured into the movie business with short films like Let's Kill Gandhi and other unreleased ventures.
Shetty's first movie was Nam Areal Ond Dina (2010). His second movie was released in 2012 and was named Tuglak (2012).
However, he got his breakthrough in Simple Agi Ondh Love Story (2013), a romantic comedy that received a tremendous response.
Shetty ventured into direction after that and made the movie Ulidavaru Kandanthe (2014), a crime thriller. Because of his dancing skills, Shetty bagged a major role in the movie.
The film won him critical appreciation and two awards - Director's First Time Best Film by the Karnataka State Film Awards and another Best Director award by the Filmfare Awards South.
He featured in other movies like Vaasthu Prakaara (2015), Jaathre (2015), Ricky (2016), Jigar Thanda (2016), and Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu (2016).
Shetty produced and wrote another successful film Kirik Party (2016), in which he acted opposite actress Rashmika Mandanna.
In 2019, he appeared in two movies, Padde Huli (2019) and Avane Srimannarayana (2019).
777 Charlie (2022), which Shetty produced, was first announced in 2017. It took five years for it to be released due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The movie was directed by Kiranraj K under Paramvah Studios. The story was based on the relationship between humans and their pets. The movie also starred Charlie, a Labrador, who had a crucial role in the movie.
He later did movies like Saptha Sagaradaache Ello - Side A (2023) and Richard Anthony.
Shetty has won 14 awards and 22 Nominations in total.- Actor
- Music Department
- Director
Ganesh sprouts from the suburbs of Bangalore, a town called Nelamangala. He has a Diploma in Electronics. Started as a TV artist for a popular Kannada TV show called "Comedy Time" in Udaya TV, gained popularity and won people's heart from then. He also acted in Kannada TV serials. On the big screen, Kannada blockbuster movie "Mungaru Male" was the icebreaker movie for his film career. This movie made $15 million in south India. His new movie "Gaalipata" is a super hit too in Karnataka.- Actor
- Music Department
- Director
Duniya Vijay was born on 20 January 1974 in Anekal, Karnataka, India. He is an actor and director, known for Duniya (2007), Salaga (2021) and Bheema. He has been married to Keerthi Pattadi since 2016. He was previously married to Nagarathna .- Actor
- Music Department
- Writer
Upendra Rao, popularly known by his stage name Upendra is an Indian actor, producer, filmmaker, screenwriter, and politician who majorly works in the Kannada and Telugu film industries.
Rao started his career with his debut as a writer and an assistant director to Kashinath (an actor and film director) with the movie Tharle Nan Maga (1992). In the movie, he worked in various departments, from writing dialogues, songs and screenplay. The movie was a huge success and quickly became a cult favourite.
Rao also directed another successful movie with Kashinath and Kumar Govind called Shhh! (1993) when he came out as an independent director. Upendra then directed Om (1995) and A: Film by Upendra (1998), in which he also debuted as an actor.
Rao worked as an actor in Kannada and Telugu films for another decade before returning to directing. Some of his most prominent work includes Upendra (1999), Preethse (2000), Super Star (2002), Kutumba (2002), Gokarna (2003), Hollywood (2003), Raktha Kanneeru (2003), Gowramma (2005), Auto Shankar (2005), Aishwarya (2006), Anatharu (2007), Budhivanta (2008), Super (2010), Kalpana (2012), Godfather (2012), S/O Satyamurthy (2015), Uppi 2 (2015), I Love You (2019) and more.
Rao transitioned into acting via the movie A: Film by Upendra (1998). The movie was a huge success and quickly became one of the highest-grossing movies in the Kannada movie industry.
Rao also made a self-titled film Upendra (1999), that starred three heroines, including the famous Bollywood actress Raveena Tandon. The movie also was a huge success in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. It surpassed the success of the movie A: Film by Upendra (1998).
Rao experimented in Telugu cinema, where he participated in some lesser-known films, including Naanu Naane (2002), Hollywood (2003), Nagarahavu (2016), etc.
Rao made a comeback as a director with the movie Super (2010). The movie was a blockbuster and broke many records in theatres all over Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. It also had a long 175-day theatrical run in theatres. It was one of the highest-grossing Kannada films of that year.
Rao directed and acted in the sequel of his self-titled movie, Upendra (1999), titled Uppi 2 (2015). After its release, the movie set the record for the highest-grossing opening day for a Kannada movie.
Rao won the award for Best Male Actor for his role in A: Film by Upendra (1998) at the Udaya Film Awards. In 2000, he also won the award for Best Director for Upendra at the 47th Film Awards South. In 2003, Upendra again won Best Male actor at the Udaya Film Awards for his role in Nagarahavu (2016). In 2004, he won Best Actor and Best Dialogue for his movie Raktha Kanneeru (2003) at the Hello Gandhinagara Awards 2004.
In 2018, he started a political party Uttama Prajakeeya Party. His party represented 'Prajakeeya', meaning the workers. However, he never once contested any election.
Rao was also part of several endorsements. He was the brand ambassador for United Breweries, SK Super TMT, Lunars Footwear, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Emani Navaratna Brand, among others.