Anyone who crosses Govardhan Theatre in Bengaluru’s Yeshwantpur can’t miss the larger-than-life cut-out of ‘Rocking Star’ Yash as a testament of the idol worship of his fans. The actor’s latest film, Kolar Gold Fields, more commonly known as KGF, has had high expectations to live up to long before its release. As the much-hyped film, even dubbed ‘Sandalwood’s Baahubali’, hits the marquee, here’s a quick look at Yash’s evolution from a television serial actor to Sandalwood’s ‘Rocking Star’.
Yash was born Naveen Kumar Gowda in Bhuvanahalli in Hassan district to J Arun Kumar, a bus driver, and Pushpa. Being extremely fond of acting from a young age, he was part of a theatre group prior to featuring in a role in the television serial Nanda Gokula, which aired on ETV Kannada in the early 2000s. It was on the sets of this show that he met Radhika Pandit, whom he later married. The two would go on to star in a bevy of films together, including the 2014 hit Mr and Mrs Ramachari.
Though Yash debuted with the 2007 film Jambada Hudugi, directed by Priya Hassan, it was his supporting role as Rahul in his next film, Moggina Manasu (2008), that got him noticed and won him the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Radhika and Yash in 'Moggina Manasu', Youtube screenshot
One of the star’s most loved performances was his portrayal of the character Nandeesha in the 2011 film Kirataka, which is a remake of the Tamil film Kalavani. The film, set against a village backdrop, portrays the love story between Nandeesha and Nethra, played by Oviya, who are from rival villages. Yash’s performance as the lackadaisical and comical protagonist was received well and the movie went on to become a hit. Following this was the success of his 2012 film Drama, in which he was paired with Radhika Pandit yet again. The movie chronicled the adventures of four college students who find themselves caught in a tricky situation after a prank goes wrong. Yash’s role as the rural boy Venkatesa who was goes to all lengths for love was met well. Late actor Ambareesh played an extended cameo role in the film. Ambareesh had been fond of the young actor and was quite supportive of his ventures.
Yash and Oviya in 'Kirataka', Youtube screenshot
Pavan Wadeyar’s 2013 directorial Googly saw Yash paired opposite Kriti Kharbanda. He played the role of an eccentric college student with anger issues. Senior actor Anant Nag played the role of Yash’s father, and the chemistry between the two characters was well-charted and portrayed.
'Googly', courtesy Youtube screenshot
Following this, Yash starred in the 2013 film Raja Huli alongside Meghana Raj as a Mandya boy. The film was a remake of the 2012 Tamil film Sundarapandian and chronicled the events that take place between friends of two villages. As the titular Raja Huli, Yash was convincing as the small town boy.
Still from 'Raja Huli', courtesy Youtube screenshot
It was 2014’s Mr and Mrs Ramachari, opposite Radhika Pandit, that further solidified his mark over Sandalwood. The film ended up collectively making Rs 50 crore, a mark that only a few Kannada films had reached prior, including the 2007 Ganesh-starrer Mungaru Male. The film received positive reviews from critics and moviegoers alike, who enjoyed the references to the 1972 Vishnuvardhan starrer Naagarahaavu. Yash and Radhika’s relationship was much speculated about at that time and garnered a lot more attention following the release of the film.
Still from 'Mr and Mrs Ramachari', courtesy Youtube screenshot
The couple was got engaged in a small ceremony in Goa in August 2016 and eventually married in December in a private ceremony in Bengaluru, following which they hosted a reception at Bangalore Palace. The couple welcomed a baby girl on December 2 this year.
KGF, directed by Prashanth Neel, has been made on a budget of Rs 80 crore, one of the highest budgets for a Kannada film. The film is a two-part period drama that follows the life of a gangster and takes place amidst the gold fields of Kolar. The film will be released simultaneously in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi. The Kannada version of the film is set to open in over 1,500 screens across the country.
Though there was some uncertainty about the release after a Bengaluru civil court issued an ex interim stay order on the film, latest reports indicate that KGF was released as planned on Friday.