Nagappa Sunil Kumar (born 12 June 1985), known professionally as Darling Krishna, is an Indian actor who primarily works in Kannada films. Krishna is a recipient of several accolades including two Karnataka State Film Awards, a Filmfare Awards South and a SIIMA Award.
Krishna made his film debut with Jackie (2010) in a minor role, For his performance in the 2013 film Madarangi, he received the SIIMA Award for Best Male Debut – Kannada nomination. Post his debut, Krishna starred in the Kannada soap-opera Krishna Rukmini. Krishna's career marked a turning point with his directorial debut Love Mocktail (2020) and its sequel Love Mocktail 2 (2022). He won the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor – Kannada and SIIMA Award for Best Film – Kannada, for the former. Further success came with Lucky Man (2022) and Kousalya Supraja Rama (2023).
Apart from acting, Krishna established the production house Krishna Talkies. He is married to the actress Milana Nagaraj with whom he has a daughter.
Early life Darling Krishna was born as Sunil Kumar N. on 12 June 1985 in Mysore, Karnataka. His father Nagappa, is a retired police officer. He completed his MBA from Bangalore.
Career
Debut and early work (2010–2019) Darling Krishna started his career as an assistant director for Duniya Soori in Jackie in 2010. He also played a CID officer in the film.Sandalwood’s super run – Jackie. DNA India (20 February 2011). Retrieved on 2014-03-08. He then did a special role in Hudugaru in 2011. Darling Krishna then portrayed the titular role in the Kannada soap-opera "Krishna Rukmini".
Darling Krishna's first lead role came in 2013, with Madarangi opposite Sushma Raj. It was a box office success. B.S. Srivani of Deccan Herald noted, "Krishna manages to hold his own but a smug smile or a fixed grimace won’t carry the day for long."
He had two releases in 2015. He first appeared in Rudra Tandava. The New Indian Express stated, "Krishna is placed well in his role." He next portrayed the titular role opposite Vaishali Deepak in Charlie. Krishna had two releases in 2016 too. He first appeared in Doddmane Hudga, a commercial success. Times of Indias Sunayana Suresh mentioned, "Darling Krishna has a role that is pivotal to the film's plot and delivers." He next portrayed John in John Jani Janardhan.
In 2017, he portrayed a bar accountant opposite Teju in Mumbai. Times of India said, "Darling Krishna has all the qualities of a good commercial hero, but the film fails him despite him putting his all." He next portrayed a MLA aspirant in Jaali Baaru Mattu Poli Hudugaru opposite Mansi Vasudeva, which had a delayed release later that year. In 2018, he portrayed Raam opposite Shravya Rao in Huccha 2. Times of India mentioned, "Darling Krishna is earnest as Raam and has done a good job."
Directorial debut, success and acclaim (2020–2022) Krishna ventured into direction and production in 2020 with Love Mocktail, which proved as a major turning point in his career. He portrayed a software engineer opposite Milana Nagaraj, who co-produced the film. It became a critical and commercial success. Aravind Shwetha of The News Minute noted, "Darling Krishna has managed both acting and direction with responsibility. His performance is up to the mark, especially as a doting husband." The New Indian Express stated, "Krishna's role as Adi, who comes in different shades, is done with perfection."
In 2021, he appeared in a special song in Kotigobba 3. He portrayed a steward in [email protected] opposite Bhavana. Vivek M V of Deccan Herald stated, "Darling Krishna's easy-style acting is likebale."
Krishna had four releases in 2022. He first reprised his role in Love Mocktail 2 opposite Milana Nagaraj. It became a box office success. Deccan Herald stated, "Krishna sticks to the strengths of the much-loved 2020 romantic drama and does his part well." Times of India stated that Krishna is "endearing and entertaining". He next appeared opposite Meenakshi Dixit in the much delayed film Local Train. Krishna appeared opposite Sangeetha Sringeri and Roshni Prakash in Lucky Man. Cinema Express mentioned, "Krishna delivers a complete performance. He fits perfectly into all phases of the character." In his last film of the year, he portrayed a IT engineer opposite Nishvika Naidu and Megha Shetty. News18 wrote, "Darling Krishna’s performance will keep you glued to your seats."
Career progression (2023–present) In 2023, Krishna first appeared opposite Nimika Ratnakar in Mr. Bachelor. Cinema Express stated, "Krishna brings in all-around entertainment and gets to showcase a bit of his dancing skills." He then portrayed a software engineer opposite Milana Nagaraj in Love Birds. The New Indian Express found his performance to be "natural and poignant". While Times of India wrote, "Krishna and Milana impress with their performance as a couple that is very much in love, but are unable to see through their differences." Krishna later portrayed a chauvinist in Kousalya Supraja Rama opposite Milana Nagaraj and Brinda Acharya. The film became a critical and commercial success. A. Sharadhaa of The New Indian Express noted, "Krishna’s portrayal of his character in two shades mirrors the reality of many households in society and his performance adds depth to the movie." In his last release of the year, Krishna played a wedding planner in love in, Sugar Factory opposite Sonal Monteiro. Y Maheswara Reddy of Bangalore Mirror stated, "Krishna, excels as a lover boy. He remains convincing as a casual as well as a true lover."
With no release in 2024, Krishna played a gambler in the 2025 film Brat opposite Manisha Kandkur. Krishna will next appear in Love Me Or Hate Me opposite Rachita Ram.
Personal life Sunil Kumar changed his name to Krishna, after the success of his first Kannada serial, Krishna Rukmini (2011).
Krishna met actress Milana Nagaraj on the sets of the film Nam Duniya Nam Style. They eventually started dating in 2015. Krishna married Milana on 14 February 2021, in a private traditional ceremony on the outskirts of Bengaluru. On 5 September 2024, Milana gave birth to their daughter Pari.
Other work and media image Krishna is one of the most promising actor in the Kannada cinema. His first film as the lead, Madarangi, earned him the title "Darling Krishna". In 2020, Krishna was placed 12th in Bangalore Times' 30 Most Desirable Men list.
Darling Krishna started his own production house "Krishna Talkies" in 2020. He has co-produced Love Mocktail (2020) and Love Mocktail 2 (2022) under the same. He won SIIMA Award for Best Film – Kannada for the former. He next produced Kousalya Supraja Rama (2023), a commercial success.
Filmography Films +Key Denotes films that have not yet been released
Year Title Role NotesRef. 2010 Jackie CID Officer Uncredited 2011 Dandam Dashagunam Police officer credited as Sunil Hudugaru Prabhu's friend Uncredited2013 Madarangi Manu Nam Duniya Nam Style Yogi2015 Rudra Tandava Kumar Charlie Cheluvanarayana Swamy 2016 Doddmane Hudga Krishna John Jani Janardhan John 2017 Mumbai Jakathi Jaali Baaru Mattu Poli Hudugaru Santhosh Kumar 2018 Huccha 2 Raam 2020 Love Mocktail Aditya "Adi" 2021 Kotigobba 3 Himself Special appearance in song "Akashane Adarisuva" [email protected] Sathya 2022 Love Mocktail 2 Aditya "Adi" Local Train Santhosh Lucky Man Arjun Nagappa Dilpasand Santosh 2023 Mr. Bachelor Karthik Love Birds Deepak Kousalya Supraja Rama Ram Siddegowda Sugar Factory Arya 2025 Brat Kristy 2026 Love Mocktail 3 Aditya "Adi" Father Completed Love Me Or Hate Me Completed
Other crew positions Year Title Role Ref. 2010 Jackie Assistant director 2011 Dandam Dashagunam Hudugaru 2020 Love Mocktail Director, Writer and Producer 2022 Love Mocktail 2 2023 Kousalya Supraja Rama Producer 2026 Love Mocktail 3 Director, Writer and Producer
Television Year Title Role Ref. 2011–2012 Krishna Rukmini Krishna
Accolades Year Award Category Film Result Ref. 2014 South Indian International Movie AwardsBest Male Debut – Kannada Madarangi 2021Chandanavana Film Critics Academy Awards Best FilmLove Mocktail Best Director Best Actor Best Screenplay Best Dialogue Writer South Indian International Movie Awards Best Film – Kannada Best Director – Kannada Best Actor – Kannada 2022Filmfare Awards South Best Director – Kannada Best Actor – Kannada Best Actor Critics – Kannada Chittara Star Awards Star Award 2023South Indian International Movie Awards Best Film – KannadaLove Mocktail 2 Best Director – Kannada Chandanavana Film Critics Academy Awards Best Screenplay 2024 IIFA Utsavam Best Actor – Kannada Kousalya Supraja Rama Chittara Star Awards Best Actor Best Actor – Critics 2025Karnataka State Film Awards Second Best FilmLove Mocktail Best Screenplay Chittara Star Awards Youth Icon – Male
See also List of Indian film actors
References
External links