Yash is a popular Indian actor who rose to fame in the Kannada film industry. He is best known for his role as the rebellious and ambitious gangster Rocky in the blockbuster KGF franchise.
He also starred in several romance and action films and won three South Filmfare Awards for his performances.
He is widely praised for his versatile acting skills, charming personality and his involvement in philanthropic activities.
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- Full name: Naveen Kumar Gowda
- Nickname: Yash
- Date of Birth: January 8, 1986
- Age: 38
- Gender: Male
- Birthplace: Bhuvanahali, Hassan, Karnataka, India
- Nationality: India
- Occupation: Actor
- Height: 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in)
- Parents: Arun Kumar Gowda (father), Pushpa (mother)
- Siblings: Nandini (sister)
- Spouse: Radhika Pandit (actress)
- Children: Ayra (daughter), Yatharv (son)
- Marital status: Married
- Net worth: $10 million
Early life and education
Yash was born in Bhuvanahalli village in Hassan district of Karnataka on January 8, 1986. He is the eldest son of Arun Kumar Gowda, a bus driver, and Pushpa, a housewife.
He has a younger sister, Nandini, who is married to a computer engineer. He belongs to the Wokalija caste, a prominent farming community in Karnataka.
Yash is a graduate of Mahajanath High School, Mysore. He was interested in acting and theatre from a young age and participated in many cultural events and stage performances.
He then moved to Bangalore and graduated from KLE College. He joined the Benaka Theatre Company founded by renowned playwright and actor BV Karanth and honed his acting skills under the guidance of various mentors.
Personal life
Yash met actress Radhika Pandit on the sets of the TV show Nanda Gokula In 2007, the two became good friends and then fell in love.
They have worked together on the following films Mojina Manaso, Drama, Mr and Mrs Ramachari, and Santu went straight ahead.
They got engaged in August 2016 and had a grand wedding in December 2016. They have two children: a daughter named Ayra, born in December 2018, and a son named Yatharv, born in October 2020. They are one of the most loved and popular couples in the Kannada film industry.
Profession
Yash made his film debut in 2007 with Jambada Hudugi in a supporting role. In 2008, he made his film debut with Moggina Manasu, co-starring Radhika Pandit.
He played the role of Rahul, a college student who falls in love with a girl from a different caste. The film was a critical and commercial success and he won the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor.
He then starred in the following films Rocky, Kalala Sant, Gokula, Tamasu, and ModarasalaIn 2013, he became a box-office sensation with the romantic comedy Love You GoogleIn the film, he played Sharath, a young man confused about his feelings for his friend Swathi, played by Kriti Kharbanda. The film was a huge success and he received praise for his comedic timing and chemistry with Kriti.
He continued his successful career with the following films Raja Huli, Gajakesari, Mr. and Mrs. Ramachari, masterpiece, and Santu went straight ahead. He experimented with different genres and roles, showcasing his versatility and breadth as an actor.
He has also worked with some of the best directors and technicians in the industry like Prashanth Neel, Pavan Wadeyar, Harsha and V. Harikrishna.
He gained recognition all over India with his period action films KGF: Chapter 1 The 2018 film was directed by Prashant Neel. He played the role of Rocky, a poor orphan who grew up to become a powerful gangster in the Kolar gold mines.
The film was a huge success, breaking several box office records and becoming the highest-grossing Kannada film of all time. The film was also dubbed into Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam, earning him a huge fan following across the country. For his performance, he won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor for the second time.
He reprised his role as Rocky in the sequel, KGF: Chapter 2which was released in 2022. The film was also a blockbuster, surpassing the box office of the first film to become one of the highest-grossing Indian films of all time.
The film received positive reviews from critics and audiences, who praised Yash’s acting, Prashant Neel’s direction, and the film’s technical aspects. He won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor for the third time for his performance in the film.
He is filming his next movie. My name is Kiratakadirected by Anil Kumar. It is a sequel to his 2011 film Kirataka, in which he played a country boy who falls in love with a city girl. The film is expected to release in 2024.
Awards
Yash has won several awards and honors for his performance in films. Some of the notable awards include:
- 2008 Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor – Kannada, presented by Moggina Manasu.
- 2014 SIIMA Best Actor Award – Kannada for Mr. and Mrs. Ramachari.
Mr. and Mrs. Ramachari won the 2015 IIFA Utsavam Award for Best Kannada Actor Performance.
- In 2018, he won the Indian Filmfare Award for Best Kannada Actor for “KGF: Chapter 1”.
- Zee Cine Awards 2019 Best Actor (Viewer Choice) – Kannada for KGF: Chapter 1.
- In 2022, he won the Indian Filmfare Award for Best Kannada Actor for “KGF: Chapter 2”.
net worth
Yash is one of the highest paid actors in the Kannada film industry. According to reports, he earns around Rs 15 crore per film.
He also earns money through endorsements, brand promotions, and personal appearances. His net worth is estimated to be around $10 million.
dispute
Yash has mostly avoided controversy and scandals in his career. However, in 2019, he was involved in a legal dispute with Vijay Kiragandur, who was KGF: Chapter 2and handle the copyright and remuneration of the film.
The producer accused Yash of demanding more money and interfering in the film’s creative process.
Yash denied the allegations and said that he had a good relationship with producer and director Prashant Neel. The matter was later resolved amicably and the film went on floors without further issues.
Social Media
- Instagram: @thenameisyash
- Twitter: @TheNameIsYash
Filmography
- Mojina Manasui
- Mr. and Mrs. Ramachari
- KGF: Chapter 1
- KGF: Chapter 2
