Sharan (born 6 February 1972) is an Indian actor and an occasional playback singer and film producer who works in Kannada cinema. He made his acting debut in the mid-1990s and appeared mostly in comedy roles and small supporting roles. However, he earned much recognition during the late 2000s and made his lead role for his 100th film Rambo and since then featuring as the lead actor in comedy films.

Personal life Sharan was born into a family of theater artists. His grandparents and parents were reckoned artistes at the Gubbi theater. His younger sister Shruthi, is an actress. He has another younger sister. Though he was pushed to acting genre by his parents, his initial interest was in music and was part of an orchestra as a singer. He cut his own private devotional albums and also sang the title tracks for television series. Sharan's first tryst in acting began with a television series aired in Doordarshan channel. Subsequently he began to get offers to act in various television serials resulting in director S. Mahendar spotting his talent and offer him a small comedy role for his film Karpoorada Gombe.

Career Sharan made his acting debut with a small role in S. Mahendar's Karpoorada Gombe (1996). Since then he featured in over 100 films as a comedian and supporting actor. He was mostly noticed for his comic flavor in films such as "Asura" (2001) , Friends (2002), Monalisa (2004), Jothe Jotheyali (2006), Pallakki (2007), Maleyali Jotheyali (2009) among several others.

2012–present Sharan appeared in noticeable lead roles in Rambo (2012) and Victory (2013); both films received critical and commercial successes, with his performance winning acclaim alongside.

In his first film of 2014, Maanikya, Sharan appeared in a supporting role. In the comedy Jai Lalitha, he was cast as Jayaraj and appeared in female character as well. G. S. Kumar of The Times of India wrote, "It's all Sharan who shines in lady character with excellent mannerism, dialogue delivery and body language." The film however performed average at the box-office. In his final release of the year, Adyaksha, a romance-comedy, and a remake of the Tamil film Varuthapadatha Valibar Sangam (2013), he was cast as Chandrashekhara Gowda, and along with his sidekick Narayana (played by Chikkanna), played the role of a villager who creates havoc in the village as the president of an association "Chi Thu Sangha" ("Chinthe Illada Thund Haikla Sangha"), who then falls in love with a landlord's daughter. The film emerged as a major commercial and critical success, with critics acclaiming Sharan's performance. It turned out to be one of Kannada cinema's biggest commercial successes of 2014. His performance earned him a Filmfare Award for Best Actor nomination.

In 2015, Sharan starred in Raja Rajendra as Bottle Mani, who takes a contract to kill an elder member of the royal family. The film received mixed reviews from critics, though his performance was praised. He was cast in a double role in the comedy Bullet Basya as Basavaraj "Basya", a Royal Enfield Bullet-riding villager, who has a proclivity for women, and Muthu, his exact opposite. He also sang the song "Kaal Kg Kallekaai" for the film. The film received mostly negative reviews from critics. On Sharan's performance, Bangalore Mirror wrote, "Sharan has almost gone overboard in search of comedy, but does justice to the two roles."

Partial filmography

As actor +Key Denotes films that have not yet been released Year Film Role Notes 1996 Karpoorada Gombe 1999 Prema Prema Prema Arunodaya Snehaloka Gopi 2000 Nan Hendthi Chennagidale Murali Krishna 2001 Asura Billa Chitra ChittePutnarsa Yuvaraja Kutty 2002 Friends Sharan Ninne Preethisuve Rajesh Devaru Varavanu Kotre Sharan 2003 Ananda Kaun Banega Kotyadipathi Kushalave Kshemave Sathya Gadibidi Brothers 2004 Baithare Baithare Gopi Monalisa Sharan Rowdy Aliya Sripathi Sarvabhouma Aliya Mane Tholiya 2005 Jootata Aham Premasmi Sirichandana Sharan Thunta Gopalakrishna's friend 2006 7 O' Clock Rahul's friend Hatavadi Tananam Tananam Jothe Jotheyali 2007 Sixer Pallakki Krishna Rama Snehanjali Ganesha Gunavantha 2008 Honganasu Sundari Ganda Sadananda Sadananda Vasanthakala Ganga Kaveri Arjun's friend Akka Thangi Ee Preethi Yeke Bhoomi Melide 2009 Maleyali Jotheyali Venkatesh Jhossh Ee Sambhashane Love Guru Male Barali Manju Irali Mr. Painter Shiva 2010 Gaana Bajaana Eradane Maduve Aithalakkadi Bombat Car Eno Onthara Dance Master Premism Hoo Porki Nooru Janmaku Punda Modalasala Bindaas Hudugi 2011 Olave Mandara Kempe Gowda Pashupathi Sanju Weds Geetha Sanju's uncle Mathond Madhuvena Kool...Sakkath Hot Maga Johny Mera Naam Preethi Mera Kaam Bhadra 2012 Aarakshaka Parijatha Lucky Aanand / 420 Rambo Krishna Murthy "Kitty" Also producerOndu Kshanadalli Seena 2013 Ee Bhoomi Aa Bhanu Varadanayaka Hari's friend Neenandre Ishta Kano Bulbul Bobby Victory Chandru / Munna Dual role2014Hara Jai Lalitha Jayaraj Maanikya Adyaksha Chandrashekhara Gowda "Chandru" 2015 Raja Rajendra Bottle Mani / Raja Rajendra Dual roleBullet Basya Basavaraj "Basya" / Muthu Dual role 2016 Jai Maruthi 800 Jeeva Nataraja Service Nataraja 2017 Raj Vishnu Rajvishnu Satya Harishchandra Satya Harishchandra 2018 Raambo 2 Krishna "Krish" Victory 2 Chandru / Munna / Salim / Richie Four roles 2019 Adyaksha in America Ullas 2022 Avatara Purusha: Part 1 Anila (Karna) Guru Shishyaru Manohar 2024 Avatara Purusha 2 Anila (Karna) 2025Choo MantarDynamo/Gautham Rajadrohi Madhu alias Uppakadle2026Indira Devendra

As playback singer Year Film Song 2015 Raja Rajendra "Madhyana Kanasinalli" 2015 Vajrakaya "Thukatha Gadabada" 2015 Bullet Basya "Kaal Kg Kallekaai" 2016 Dana Kayonu "Haalu Kudida Makkale" 2024 Maryade Prashne "Easy Take it Easy"

Awards and nominations Filmfare Awards South 2009: nominated, Best Supporting Actor – Kannada: Josh 2012: nominated, Best Supporting Actor – Kannada: Parijatha 2014: nominated, Best Actor – Kannada: Adyaksha

South Indian International Movie Awards 2012: nominated, Best Debutant Producer (Kannada): Rambo 2012: nominated, Best Male Debutant (Kannada): Rambo 2019: nominated, Best Actor in a Leading Role (Male) – Kannada : Raambo 2

Udaya Film Awards 2012: nominated, Best Debut Actor (Male): Rambo

Bangalore Times Film Awards 2012: Best Actor in a Comic Role: Rambo

References

External links