Akul Balaji (born Akula Balaji on 23 February 1979) is an Indian actor, television host and dancer who works in Kannada and Telugu television shows and films. He started his career by acting and hosting television shows and has participated in the Kannada Film Industry for almost a decade. He shot to fame for co-hosting the hit Kannada reality show Pyate Hudgir Halli Lifu on Asianet Suvarna Channel, with Kannada Star Sudeep. He recently hosted a Kannada dance reality show named Takadhimita on Colors Kannada Channel.
In 2014, by public vote, Akul won the second season of game show Bigg Boss Kannada – the Indian version of Celebrity Big Brother and currently produced by Endemol India
Early and personal life Originally from a small town called Rly. Kodur in Andhra Pradesh, Akul Balaji was born on 23 February 1979. After moving to Bangalore at age 16, he trained in Bharathanatyam under Smt. Usha Datar and later joined "Natya STEM Dance Kampni", headed by Madhu Nataraj as a contemporary dancer and learned Kathak from Guru Smt. Dr. Maya Rao. He also dabbled in theater in Director Pawan Kumar's adaptation of Badal Sarkar's Evam Inderjit in 2004. He has also done an advance acting workshop under Mahesh Dattani. Akul Balaji married his wife Jyothi Akul in 2008. The couple have a son.
Career From beginnings as a small screen actor, he has become an actor and television host in Karnataka. He had won "The most popular anchor award" by Big FM Big TV for the year 2010 and he has to his credit superhit shows like Kuniyonu Baara and Comedy Killadigalu on Zee Kannada. He has hosted super hit reality shows for Asianet Suvarna like Pyate Hudgir Halli Lifu season 1 & 2, Halli Haida Pyateg Banda, Pyate Mandi Kadige Bandru 1, Pyate Mandi Kaadige Bandru 2, which was shot in Andaman Islands, Hosa Luv Story, and Nodi Swamy Naavirode Heege. He hosted Mane Munde Mahalakshmi, a game show for ETV Kannada and Indian. He hosted Sye Ante Sye for Zee Telugu. He also hosted the reality show called Thakadimitha Dancing Stars for ETV Kannada. He has acted in the television series Agatha (2002), Guptha Gamini, Yava Janumadha Maithri, Jagalagantiyaru, Pellinati Pramanalu (2012). He made a comeback in the Telugu television industry in 2021 with Oohalu Gusagusalade.
Filmography
Television YearWorkRoleNetworkLanguage2007 Kuniyonu BaaraHostZee Kannada Kannada2008 Comedy Killadigalu Host2009 Kuniyonu Baara Boys vs Girls Mentor 2010 Pyate Hudgir Halli Lifu Season 1 HostSuvarna Halli Haida Pyateg Banda Host Pyate Mandi Kaadige Bandru Season 1 Host 2011 Pyate Hudgir Halli Lifu Season 2 Host Hosa Luv Story Host Pyate Mandi Kaadige Bandru Season 2 Host 2012 Nodi Swami Naavirodhe Heege HostPellinati PramanaluAbhiZee TeluguTelugu 2013 Mane Mundhe Mahalakshmi HostETV Kannada Kannada Sye Ante Sye HostZee TeluguTelugu Indian HostETV Kannada 2014 Thaka Dhimi Tha Dancing star HostKannada Bigg Boss Kannada (season 2) WinnerETV KannadaPyate Hudgir Halli Lifu (season 3)Mentor 2015 Dancing Stars Season 2 HostColors Kannada 3.2.1.GOHostZee TeluguTeluguDancing Star JuniorHostColors KannadaKannadaSuper JodiHost Star Suvarna13 Fear is RealHostZee TeluguTelugu2016Star Suvarna Dance DanceHost Star SuvarnaKannadaKICK HostUdaya TV2017Super Jodi Season 2 HostStar SuvarnaDeshamudurluHostMAA TVTeluguSuper Talk Time HostColors SuperKannada2018Master DancerHostPyate Hudgir Halli Lyfu Season 4Host Star SuvarnaSixth Sense Kannada HostHalli Haida Pyateg Banda Season 4Host 2019ThakadimithaHost Colors KannadaColors Comedy CompanyHost 2021Cookku With KirikkuHost Star Suvarna2021Oohalu GusagusaladeAbhiramZee TeluguTelugu 2021 Bigg Boss Kannada Mini SeasonTask MasterColors KannadaKannada2022Dancing ChampionHostColors KannadaDance India Dance TeluguHostZee TeluguTeluguGhana Bajaana Season 3HostStar SuvarnaKannada2023Bharjari BachelorsHostZee Kannada2024Comedy Killadigalu Premier LeagueJudge / Team OwnerZee Kannada2024Zee EntertainersShow HostZee Kannada2025Halli PowerShow HostZee PowerKannada
Film
Year Title Role(s) Notes 2006 Kallarali Hoovagi Thippaga 2007 Milana Cameo appearance 2008 Athmeeya Vijay Paramesha Panwala 2009 Neramu Siksha Rohit Telugu film Banni 2013 Myna Game show host Cameo appearance Pyarge Aagbittaite Cameo appearance Loosegalu Shankara 2014 Crazy Star Cameo appearance
References
External links