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Nagappa Sunil Kumar (born 12 June 1985), known professionally as Darling Krishna, is an Indian actor who primarily works in Kannada films. Krishna has established himself as one of the leading actors in Kannada cinema.[2] He is a recipient of several accolades including a Filmfare Awards South and a South Indian International Movie Award.[3][4]
Krishna | |
|---|---|
| Born | Sunil Kumar N. 12 June 1985[1] |
| Other names | Darling Krishna |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2009–present |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1 |
Krishna made his film debut with Jackie (2010). For his performance in the 2013 film Madarangi, he received the SIIMA Award for Best Male Debut – Kannada nomination.[3] 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).[5] 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 own the production house Krishna Talkies. He is married to his co-actor Milana Nagaraj with whom he has a daughter.[6]
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Darling Krishna was born as Sunil Kumar N. on 12 June 1985 in Mysore, Karnataka.[7][1] His father Nagappa, is a retired police officer. He completed his MBA from Bangalore.[8]
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.[9] He then did a special role in Hudugaru in 2011.[10] Darling Krishna then portrayed the titular role in the Kannada soap-opera "Krishna Rukmini".[11]
Darling Krishna's first lead role came in 2013, with Madarangi opposite Sushma Raj. It was a box office success.[12] 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."[13]
He had two releases in 2015. He first appeared in Rudra Tandava. The New Indian Express stated, "Krishna is placed well in his role."[14] He next portrayed the titular role opposite Vaishali Deepak in Charlie.[15] Krishna had two releases in 2016 too. He first appeared in Doddmane Hudga, a commercial success.[16] Times of India's Sunayana Suresh mentioned, "Darling Krishna has a role that is pivotal to the film's plot and delivers."[17] He next portrayed John in John Jani Janardhan.[18]
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."[19] He next portrayed a MLA aspirant in Jaali Baaru Mattu Poli Hudugaru opposite Mansi Vasudeva, which had a delayed release later that year.[20] In 2018, he portrayed Raam opposite Shravya Rao in Huccha 2.[21] Times of India mentioned, "Darling Krishna is earnest as Raam and has done a good job."[22]
Directorial debut and success (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.[23] 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."[24] The New Indian Express stated, "Krishna's role as Adi, who comes in different shades, is done with perfection."[25]
In 2021, he appeared in a special song in Kotigobba 3.[26] He portrayed a steward in SriKrishna@gmail.com opposite Bhavana.[27] Vivek M V of Deccan Herald stated, "Darling Krishna's easy-style acting is likebale."[28]
Krishna had four releases in 2022. He first reprised his role in Love Mocktail 2 opposite Milana Nagaraj. It became a box office success.[29] Deccan Herald stated, "Krishna sticks to the strengths of the much-loved 2020 romantic drama and does his part well."[30] Times of India stated that Krishna is "endearing and entertaining".[31] He next appeared opposite Meenakshi Dixit in the much delayed film Local Train.[32] Krishna appeared opposite Sangeetha Sringeri and Roshni Prakash in Lucky Man.[33] Cinema Express mentioned, "Krishna delivers a complete performance. He fits perfectly into all phases of the character."[34] In his last film of the year, he portrayed a IT engineer opposite Nishvika Naidu and Megha Shetty.[35] News18 wrote, "Darling Krishna’s performance will keep you glued to your seats."[36]
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."[37] He then portrayed a software engineer opposite Milana Nagaraj in Love Birds.[38] 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."[39][40] Krishna later portrayed a chauvinist in Kousalya Supraja Rama opposite Milana Nagaraj and Brinda Acharya. The film became a critical and commercial success.[41][42] 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."[43] In his last release of the year, Krishna played a wedding planner in love in, Sugar Factory opposite Sonal Monteiro.[44] 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."[45]
Krishna will next appear in Love Me Or Hate Me opposite Rachita Ram.[46]
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Sunil Kumar changed his name to Krishna, after the success of his first Kannada serial, Krishna Rukmini (2011).[11]
Krishna met actress Milana Nagaraj on the sets of the film Nam Duniya Nam Style. They eventually started dating in 2015.[47] Krishna married Milana on 14 February 2021, in a private traditional ceremony on the outskirts of Bengaluru.[48][49] On 5 September 2024, Milana gave birth to their daughter Pari.[50][51]
Krishna is one of the most promising actor in the Kannada cinema.[6] His first film as the lead, Madarangi, earned him the title "Darling Krishna".[3] In 2020, Krishna was placed 12th in Bangalore Times' 30 Most Desirable Men list.[52]
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.[53] He won SIIMA Award for Best Film – Kannada for the former. He next produced Kousalya Supraja Rama (2023), a commercial success.[54]
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Films
| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Jackie | CID Officer | Uncredited | |
| 2011 | Dandam Dashagunam | Police officer | credited as Sunil | |
| Hudugaru | Prabhu's friend | Uncredited | ||
| 2013 | Madarangi | Manu | ||
| Nam Duniya Nam Style | Yogi | |||
| 2015 | 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" | |
| SriKrishna@gmail.com | Sathya | [55][56] | ||
| 2022 | Love Mocktail 2 | Aditya "Adi" | ||
| Local Train | Santhosh | [57] | ||
| Lucky Man | Arjun Nagappa | [58][59] | ||
| Dilpasand | Santosh | [60] | ||
| 2023 | Mr. Bachelor | Karthik | [61][62] | |
| Love Birds | Deepak | |||
| Kousalya Supraja Rama | Ram Siddegowda | [63] | ||
| Sugar Factory | Arya | |||
| 2025 | Love Me Or Hate Me † | TBA | Post-production | [64] |
| Father † | TBA | Filming | [65] | |
| Untitled next † | TBA | Filming | [66] |
Other crew positions
| Year | Title | Role | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Jackie | Assistant director | [67] |
| 2011 | Dandam Dashagunam | ||
| Hudugaru | |||
| 2020 | Love Mocktail | Director, Writer and Producer | |
| 2022 | Love Mocktail 2 | [68] | |
| 2023 | Kousalya Supraja Rama | Producer | [69] |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011–2012 | Krishna Rukmini | Krishna | [11] |
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| Year | Award | Category | Film | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | South Indian International Movie Awards | Best Male Debut – Kannada | Madarangi | Nominated | [70] |
| 2021 | Chandanavana Film Critics Academy Awards | Best Film | Love Mocktail | Nominated | [71] |
| Best Director | Nominated | ||||
| Best Actor | Nominated | ||||
| Best Screenplay | Nominated | ||||
| Best Dialogue Writer | Nominated | ||||
| South Indian International Movie Awards | Best Film – Kannada | Won | [72] | ||
| Best Director – Kannada | Nominated | ||||
| Best Actor – Kannada | Nominated | ||||
| 2022 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Director – Kannada | Nominated | [73] | |
| Best Actor – Kannada | Nominated | ||||
| Best Actor Critics – Kannada | Won | ||||
| 2023 | South Indian International Movie Awards | Best Film – Kannada | Love Mocktail 2 | Nominated | [74] |
| Best Director – Kannada | Nominated | ||||
| Chandanavana Film Critics Academy Awards | Best Screenplay | Won | [75] | ||
| 2024 | IIFA Utsavam | Best Actor – Kannada | Kousalya Supraja Rama | Nominated | [76] |
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