Shashi Kumar
Indian politician
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Shashikumar Nayak (born 2 December 1965), professionally known as Shashi Kumar (also spelled Shashikumar), is an Indian actor and politician who rose to prominence in Kannada cinema during the late 1980s and 1990s.[1] Starting his acting career in villainous role in Chiranjeevi Sudhakara (1988) and subsequent supporting roles in few films, Shashi Kumar played his first lead role in Baare Nanna Muddina Rani (1990). Celebrated for his energetic dancing and onscreen charisma, he earned the affectionate title “Supreme Hero” from fans.[2]
(2022–present)
Shashi Kumar | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Lok Sabha for Chitradurga | |
| In office 10 October 1999 – 6 February 2004 | |
| Preceded by | C. P. Mudalagiriyappa |
| Succeeded by | N. Y. Hanumanthappa |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Shashikumar Nayak 2 December 1965 |
| Party | Bharatiya Janata Party (2022–present) |
| Other political affiliations | Indian National Congress (2006–2022) Janata Dal (Secular) (2004–2006) Janata Dal (United) (–2004) |
| Spouse | Saraswati |
| Children | 2, including Akshith |
| Occupation |
|
Beyond Kannada, his filmography includes few Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi films, including a notable role as Rajinikanth’s brother in the blockbuster Baashha (1995). Some of his notable roles came with Rani Maharani (1990), Policena Hendthi (1990), Readymade Ganda (1991), Kitturina Huli (1991), Edurmaneli Ganda Pakkadmaneli Hendthi (1992), Muddina Maava (1993), Mutthanna (1994), Kunthi Puthra (1994), Ganeshana Galate (1995), Habba (1999) and Yajamana (2000). Post 2000, he switched to supporting roles and starred in several multi-starrer films.
After a prolific film career with over 100 titles, Shashi Kumar entered politics, serving as Member of Parliament for Chitradurga in the 13th Lok Sabha (1999–2004) and subsequently joining various political parties.
Acting career
Shashi Kumar's first released film was Chiranjeevi Sudhakar starring Raghavendra Rajkumar.[3] In 1989 he became popular with Yuddha Kaanda starring V. Ravichandran and Poonam Dhillon and C.B.I Shankar with Shankar Nag. In 1990 two successful films Rani Maharani and Baare Nanna Muddina Rani established him as a top hero of Kannada cinema. Shashi Kumar and Malashri, who acted together in several hit films together are considered one among the all-time popular pairs of Kannada cinema.[4] He was also paired with actresses Sudha Rani, Tara, Mahalakshmi, Soundarya, Sithara and Shruti.
He was injured a car accident near the Bangalore Turf Club in 1998.[5][6] The surgeries altered his looks and offers for lead roles from big banners stopped coming his way.[7] For a few years, he starred in supporting roles in multi-starrers like Yajamana, Habba, Kanasugara, Snehaloka and Yaarige Saluthe Sambala.[8] He later decided to enter politics.[9]
Political career
He was a member of the 13th Lok Sabha representing Chitradurga and contesting on a Janata Dal (United) ticket. He has successfully contested and won the Member of Parliament elections for Chitradurga constituency.[10] He joined the Indian National Congress in 2006.[11]
Selected filmography
Kannada films
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Chiranjeevi Sudhakar | Avinash | |
| 1989 | Yuddha Kaanda | Vicky | |
| Indrajith | |||
| C.B.I. Shankar | Santosh | ||
| Premagni | |||
| 1990 | Challenge Gopalakrishna | Cameo | |
| Baare Nanna Muddina Rani | |||
| Mruthyunjaya | Sundara | ||
| Rudra Thaandava | |||
| Rani Maharani | |||
| Policena Hendthi | |||
| S. P. Sangliyana Part 2 | |||
| Trinetra | Vinod | ||
| Wanted | |||
| Ashoka Chakra | Shashi | ||
| 1991 | Ibbaru Hendira Muddina Police | ||
| Anatha Rakshaka | |||
| Maneli Ili Beedeeli Huli | |||
| Readymade Ganda | |||
| Kollur Kala | |||
| Kitturina Huli | |||
| Gandanige Takka Hendathi | |||
| Sakalakalavallabha | |||
| Kalla Malla | |||
| Keralida Kesari | Tejaswi | ||
| 1992 | Kanasina Rani | Raja | |
| Edurmaneli Ganda Pakkadmaneli Hendthi | Bava | ||
| Hosa Kalla Hale Kulla | |||
| Aathma Bandhana | |||
| Gandharva | |||
| Mallige Hoove | |||
| Baa Nanna Preethisu | |||
| Hendthire Hushar | |||
| 1993 | Sarkarakke Saval | ||
| Shrungara Raja | |||
| Muddina Maava | |||
| Kempaiah IPS | |||
| Dharma Peeta | |||
| Kalyana Rekhe | |||
| Bhagavan Sri Saibaba | Eshwara | ||
| 1994 | Alexander | ||
| Mutthanna | Police Inspector | ||
| Sammilana | |||
| Kunthi Puthra | |||
| Swathi | |||
| 1995 | Nighata | ||
| Thumbida Mane | |||
| Ganeshana Galate | Ganesha | ||
| Rowdy | |||
| Stri | |||
| Shubha Lagna | |||
| 1996 | Muddina Aliya | ||
| Nirbandha | Arjun | ||
| 1997 | Laxmi Mahalaxmi | ||
| Balida Mane | |||
| Baalina Daari | |||
| 1998 | Doni Sagali | ||
| 1998 | Baaro Nanna Muddina Krishna | ||
| 1999 | Khalayanaka | ||
| Habba | Shashi | ||
| Snehaloka | Shashi | ||
| Coolie Raja | |||
| Sundarapurusha | |||
| 2000 | Yarige Salatte Sambla | Ramesh | |
| Yajamana | Subramanya | ||
| 2001 | Lankesha | ||
| Bahala Chennagide | Shivaji | ||
| Namma Samsara Ananda Sagara | |||
| Haalappa | |||
| Kanasugara | Ajay | ||
| 2002 | Baanallu Neene Bhuviyallu Neene | ||
| 2003 | Ree Swalpa Bartheera | ||
| 2004 | Sahukara | Raja | |
| Hendthi Andre Hendthi | |||
| 2006 | Pandavaru | ||
| 2007 | Masti | ||
| 2008 | Bandhu Balaga | ||
| 2008 | Slum Bala | Shantaram | |
| 2010 | Lift Kodla | Police Inspector | |
| Naradha Vijaya | |||
| Rame Gowda vs Krishna Reddy | Rame Gowda | ||
| 2011 | Take It Easy | ||
| 2012 | Kranthiveera Sangolli Rayanna | Channabasava | |
| 2013 | Galaate | ||
| 2014 | Power | Police Commissioner | |
| 2016 | Shivayogi Sri Puttayyajja | ||
| 2019 | Kurukshetra | Dharmaraya | |
| 2022 | Bairagee | Prakash Sarang | |
| 2023 | Vidhi (Article) 370 | ||
| 2024 | Krishnam Pranaya Sakhi | ||
| 2025 | September 10 | ||
Other language films
- Television
- Anna Thangi (Star Suvarna)