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Milana Nagaraj
Indian actress From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Milana Nagaraj (born 25 April) is an Indian actress who primarily works in Kannada films. Milana has established herself as one of the leading actresses in Kannada cinema and is a recipient of several accolades including a Karnataka State Film Award, a Filmfare Awards South and two SIIMA Awards.[2][3]
Milana made her acting debut with Nam Duniya Nam Style (2013). The same year, she received Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Kannada nomination, for her performance in Brindavana. Post a series of failures, Milana received praises for her portrayal of Nidhi in Love Mocktail (2020) and its sequel Love Mocktail 2 (2022), they marked a turning point in her career.[4] For the former, she won the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress – Kannada and SIIMA Award for Best Actress – Kannada. Further success came with Kousalya Supraja Rama (2023).
Milana and her co-actor Darling Krishna married in February 2021. They welcomed their first child, a baby girl in September 2024.[5][6]
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Early life and work
Milana was born in Hassan, Karnataka.[1][7] She completed her schooling in Hassan. She completed her BE in computer science from Vivekananda Institute of Technology, Bengaluru and is a computer engineer. She was a state-level backstroke swimmer, before she started modelling.[8][9]
Milana started her career as a model and participated in Femina Miss Karnataka, where she won "Miss Best Personality". She then ventured into acting.[10]
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Career
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Early work and struggle (2013-2019)
Milana made her screen debut with the 2013 film Nam Duniya Nam Style opposite Likith Shetty.[11] A Times of India critic noted, "Milana excels with good expressions and dialogue delivery."[12] In the same year, she portrayed Madhu, a college student opposite Darshan in Brindavana, a remake of Telugu film Brindavanam.[13] Several critics stated that Milana "impresses" with her expressions. She received a nomination for Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Kannada.[14] It was a box office success.[15] In 2015, she portrayed Purvi in Charlie, opposite Krishna.[16]
Milana had two film releases in 2017. She first made her Malayalam film debut with Avarude Raavukal opposite Vinay Forrt.[17] Cris from Deccan Chronicle stated, "Milana has done a neat job but seems like an afterthought."[18] Milana next portrayed Aishwarya, a politician's daughter in Jani opposite Vijay Raghavendra.[19] A critic of Vijaya Karnataka stated that Milana has "bare minimum to do".[20]
Success and critical acclaim (2020-2022)
Following a three year hiatus, Milana made her comeback to films with the 2020 film Love Mocktail.[21] She portrayed Nidhima, software employee opposite Krishna, which she also co-produces. A Shraddha from The New Indian Express stated, "A unique role for Milana, she shows maturity in her acting."[22] Aravind Shwetha of The News Minute noted, "Milana has a refreshing character and plays her part well. She must continue to pick roles that bring the best out of her."[23] A major commercial success, it emerged as the fourth highest grossing Kannada film of the year.[24] The same year, she portrayed Spandana in Matte Udbhava opposite Panju.[25] Times of India mentioned that "Milana Nagaraj chips in with a good performance."[26] Love Mocktail won her the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress – Kannada and she received her first Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Kannada nomination.[27]
Milana further had three film releases in 2022 – She first reprised Nidhima in the sequel Love Mocktail 2, opposite Krishna.[28] Vivek M V called her the "soul of the franchise" and noted, "Milana's effort is a fine mix of understanding the character and bringing new layers to it."[29] Sunayana Suresh stated, "Milana looks ethereal in the film and adds a lot of entertainment."[30] It was a box office success and emerged as the eighth highest grossing Kannada film of the year.[31] Following this, she played Renu, a detective's wife opposite Sudeepa in Vikrant Rona.[32] A Bollywood Hungama critic was appreciative of hercameo role.[33] It became one of the highest grossing Kannada film of all time.[34] She then portrayed Nikitha alongside Amrutha Iyengar in O.[35] A Sharadhaa stated, "Milana get to experiment with fresh characterisation and gives a strong performance." It was a box office average.[36]
Career progression (2023-present)
In 2023, Milana first portrayed Pallavi opposite Krishna in Mr. Bachelor.[37] Vinay Lokesh stated that she proves her mettle with a "decent screen presence".[38] She next portrayed a fashion designer in Love Birds opposite Krishna.[39] A critic from The New Indian Express stated that she gave a "natural and poignant performance".[40][41] In her last release of the year, Milana portrayed an alcoholic in Kousalya Supraja Rama, reuniting with Krishna.[42] The Hindu critic noted, "Milana's portrayal of a drunkard is a tad over the top, but she performs with superb restraint in serious portions."[43] Her performance earned her another nomination for Filmfare Best Actress – Kannada.[44] Mr. Bachelor and Love Birds failed at the box office but Kousalya Supraja Rama emerged a box office success and the eighth highest grossing film of the year.[45]
In her first release of 2024, Milana played a secretly married woman in For Regn opposite Pruthvi Ambaar.[46] Vivek M. V. noted, "Milana is natural in emotional sequences and the actors [Milana and Ambaar] do more for the film than what the film does for them."[47] Following this, she played a school teacher in Aaraam Arvind Swamy opposite Aniish.[48] Suhasini B Srihari of Deccan Herald was appreciative of her "credible performance".[49] Both films emerged as box office averages.[50]
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Personal life
Milana Nagaraj met actor Krishna, on the sets of the 2013 film Nam Duniya Nam Style. They eventually started dating in 2015.[51] Milana married Krishna on 14 February 2021, in a private traditional ceremony on the outskirts of Bengaluru.[52][53] On 5 September 2024, she gave birth to their daughter Pari.[54][55]
In the media
Writing for Film Companion, film journalist Sonu Venugopal opined: "Milana Nagaraj has starred in many rom-coms in her career and has ushered in a new brand of such films in Kannada cinema. Milana would certainly be the perfect actor for a monicker in the rom-com genre, if there was."[56] Vivek M.V. of The Hindu noted, "Even in her weaker films, Milana stood out thanks to her charming presence and effortless portrayal of her characters."[57]
Milana was placed 17th in 2013 and 14th in 2020, in the Bangalore Times' Most Desirable Women list.[58][59] In 2023, News18 placed her 3rd in its "Top Kannada Actresses" list and noted, "Her on-screen charisma and stellar performance worked wonders in Kousalya Supraja Rama.[60] Milana is one of the most followed Kannada actress on Instagram.[61]
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Filmography
Films
| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
- All films are in Kannada unless otherwise noted.
Producer
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Accolades
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See also
References
External links
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