Sharatchandra Lohithaswa (born 5 May 1972), known popularly as Sharath Lohithaswa, is an Indian actor who works predominantly in Kannada cinema alongside some Tamil and Telugu films. He has had a successful career in theatre, where he continues to work, and television. After working as a lecturer for a brief period, Sharath took to acting as a full-time profession and worked on stage following the footsteps of his father Lohithaswa. He began working in films in 1995 and has today established himself as a character actor.
Early life Sharath had an inclination towards cricket and theatre as a child, and "dramatise[d] Bhagat Singh on stage when in school." He "used to read a lot of plays written by people like Kambar" and rated himself as a "fairly good singer too." He accompanied his father Lohithaswa, to his rehearsals for plays, and also took part in "many stage and radio plays before doing amateur theatre in Bengaluru." This led his father Lohithaswa to suggest that Sharath take English-language as his graduation subject. Sharath also obtained a master's degree in English from Bangalore's National College, where he also went on to work as lecturer.
Career After a while, "boredom and monotony" led Sharath to quit and taking to acting as a full-time profession starting with stage. He performed in Vasamsi Jirnani, based on a Marathi-language play, and Nanna Thangige Ondu Gandu Kodi among others. His made his film debut playing a bit part in M. S. Sathyu's non-commercial film, and his commercial film debut with Huliya (1996). In an interview to Deccan Herald in 2003, he recalled, "I was offered the role of Huliya for which I was supposed to sport a funny haircut. After that, I could not go into teaching again. The roles that I was offered after Huliya were repetitive. I got fed up. Fortunately or unfortunately, I met with an accident and was forced to off work for at least two to three years. Godhuli came as a major break in my career." He received appreciation for his role as Cheluvanayaka in Chi. Guru Dutt's Godhuli, also fetching him the Aryabhata Award. While he began working in films starting in 1995, it was television that gave him recognition. He appeared in Sathyu's Khayar and Poli Kitty. Work in Kicchu and Chidambara Rahasya led him to become a popular face in Kannada television.
In films, Sharath was cast as Kotwal Ramachandra in Aa Dinagalu (2007), a performance that received praise. R. G. Vijayasarathy of Rediff.com called his performance "wonderful". He received multiple awards for his performance, including the South Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Sharath's debut in Tamil films came with Ethir Neechal. He appeared in other Kannada films such as Sanju Weds Geetha (2011) and Bheema Theeradalli (2012). He is known mostly for portrayal of villainous roles in the South Indian films. For his performance in Matthe Satyagraha (2014), he received the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Filmography
Kannada films Year Film Role Notes 1996 Huliya Raama Police Story Dharma 1999 Durga Shakthi Shivmuttu 2003 Paris Pranaya Huchana Maduveli Undone Jaana Singaaravva Khaki Siddharth Nayak Daasa 2004 Monda Sarvabhouma Wasim Akram Jyeshta Bhadra 2005 Giri 2006 Suntaragaali Kallarali Hoovagi Palanayaka 2007 Aa Dinagalu Kotwal Ramachandra Janapada Ondu Preethiya Kathe 2008 Mandakini Bidda Arjun Naga Yuga Yugagale Saagali Narasimha Chikkamagaloora Chikka Mallige 2009 Kencha Pashupathy Nanda Ninnalle Raam Chikkamallayya Hatrick Hodi Maga Kapali 2010 Gandedhe Punda Bhoja Porki Thamassu Mastan Gundragovi Jugari Meshtru Nanjanagoodu Nanjunda Vichithra Premi 2011 Manasina Maathu Suicide Sanju Weds Geetha Prakash Rajadhani Manohar Saarathi Vishnu 2012 Bheema Theeradalli Mallappa Cyber Yugadol Nava Yuva Madhura Prema Kavyam Edegarike Gavipura Parie Sagar Shakti Betappa Shikari 2013 Varadhanayaka Gajendra Jinke Mari Kumbha Rashi Khatarnak Parari Bangari Madarangi Ziddi Sweety Nanna Jodi Sthree Shakthi Bulbul Kaddipudi Shankarappa Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor – Kannada Dilwala Tony Election Vishwanath 2014 Ambareesha Power Minister Narasimha Rangan Style Matte Satyagraha Raje Gowda Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actor Sadagara Just Love Dheerendra Gowda Savaari 2 Police Commissioner Nakara Usirigintha Neene Hattira Jaggi Central Jail Pandya Thirupathi Express 2015 Shivam DK MP Shive Gowda Mutthina Maleyali Nagaari Male Nilluvavarege Rebel Goolihatti Muraari police officer Ranna Veerappa Dove Ganga Octopus 2016 Maduveya Mamatheya Kareyole Preethiyalli Sahaja ...Re Gangaraja / Shobharaj Kiragoorina Gayyaligalu Kala Bhairava Kotigobba 2 Businessman 2017 Chowka Bangara s/o Bangarada Manushya Minister Dada is Back Delli Veera Ranachandi 2018 Churikatte Anna Dalapathi Adhipathi March 22 Basavana Gowda Patil Onthara Bannagalu The Villain Ram's Father 2019 Bazaar Yajaman Pailwaan Boxing Coach Vijayendra Bharaate Nayaka Odeya Betappa 2020 Bicchugatti: Chapter 1 − Dalvayi Dange Obanna Nayaka 2021Shadow2022 Bairagee Minister Mata Triple Riding Surappa 2023 Gowli Inspector Kalinga Siren Chandra Bose Gadhayuddha Police Commissioner Sapta Saagaradaache Ello – Side A Patila Fighter Tagaru Palya Bad Manners ACP Gangadhar Inamdar SI Durga Mayanagari 2024Abbabba Father Joseph Chef Chidambara Corrupt cop Max Parashuram 2025Gajarama Rudrappa Agnyathavasi Bhuvanam Gaganam Kuladalli Keelyavudo Doora Theera Yaana DilmaarShaane Gowda
Tamil films Year Film Role Notes2013 Ethir Neechal Valli's father Pandiya Naadu Simmakal Ravi Nominated–Vijay Award for Best Villain2015 India Pakistan Sampath Massu Engira Masilamani Anthony 2016 Thirunaal Naaga Mudinja Ivana Pudi Businessman Kaashmora Minister 2017 Bairavaa Union Minister Bongu Pandian Sathriyan Samuthiram Karuppan Varasanattu Perusu Sakka Podu Podu Raja Kasimedu Das Velaikkaran Doss Ulkuthu Kaaka Mani 2022 Veerapandiyapuram Rathnasamy, AKP Dual roles 2023 Rudhran Varadha Kazhuvethi Moorkkan Prithvi Kumar 800 T. K. Hanaan 2024 Miss You Minister Singaraayar
Telugu films Year Film Role Notes 2017 Jai Lava Kusa Misra Cameo 2018 Aravinda Sametha Veera Raghava Lashma Reddy 2019 Saaho Mani 2021 Akhanda Krishnamacharya Perumal 2022 Sivudu Dual roles 2023 Vinaro Bhagyamu Vishnu Katha Rajan Ugram Narasimhareddy Patel Kalyanamasthu Skanda Ranjith Reddy2025 Odela 2BhairavamVenkateshwara RaoAkhanda 2: Thaandavam Krishnamacharya Perumal 2026Sampradayini Suppini SuddapoosaniMLA Thimmappa
Other language films Year Film Role Language Notes 2012 Shikari Malayalam 2017 Ambar Caterers Tulu 2019 Saaho Mani Hindi Partially reshot in Tamil 2025 Pidayi Tulu
Web series Year Film Role Language Network 2023 Sengalam Sivagnyanam Tamil ZEE5
Awards
Karnataka State Film Awards 2013: Best Supporting Actor: Matthe Satyagraha Udaya Sunfeast Awards 2008 - Won—Best Villain Award for Aa Dinagalu Airtel Kasturi Awards 2008 - Won—Best Villain Award for Aa Dinagalu Mysore Minerals' Awards 2008 - Won—Best Supporting Actor for Aa Dinagalu Filmfare Awards 2008 - Won—Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor in Kannada cinema for Aa Dinagalu 2013 - Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor - Kannada for Kaddipudi South Indian International Movie Awards 2012: Nominated, Best Actor in a Negative Role – Kannada: Bheema Theeradalli 2014: Nominated, Best Actor in a Negative Role – Kannada: Ambareesha Santosham Film Awards 2012 - Won—Best Supporting Actor - Kannada: Bheema Theeradalli Bangalore Times Film Awards 2012 2012 - Nominated—Best Actor in a Negative Role for Bheema Theeradalli
References
External links