Shashikumar

Shashikumar (born Shashikumar Nayak on 2 December 1965 in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India) is an Indian actor and politician who works predominantly in the Kannada film industry and is celebrated by Kannada audiences with the title "Supreme Hero".

He entered cinema with the 1988 film Chiranjeevi Sudhakara, where his portrayal of the villain earned him praise, and he subsequently appeared in Kannada films such as Yuddha Kaanda, Indrajith, C.B.I. Shankar, and Mruthyunjaya.

His breakthrough to stardom came with the 1989 film Rani Maharani, after which he delivered multiple hits including Policena Hendthi, S. P. Sangliyana Part 2, Readymade Ganda, Kollur Kala, and Kitturina Huli.

During the 1990s, he became one of the most sought-after stars in Kannada cinema and was known as an all-time greatest pairing with actress Malashri, while also working frequently with Sudha Rani, Tara, and Shruti.

In addition to Kannada films, he acted in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi cinema, with his most prominent role being in Rajinikanth's blockbuster Tamil film Baasha (1995), where he played Rajinikanth's brother. He has acted in more than 130 movies in Kannada cinema.

At the peak of his acting career, he suffered a serious road accident near the Bangalore Turf Club caused by drunken driving, and the ensuing surgeries changed his appearance, leading film makers to no longer consider him for leading roles with huge banners.

This setback pushed him to enter politics, and after a long break from cinema, he made a comeback in supporting roles in multi-starrer films such as Yajamana, Habba, and Yaarige Saluthe Sambala. His other film credits include Kempaiah IPS, Mutthanna, Swathi, Baasha, Snehaloka, Masti, Bandhu Balaga, Take It Easy, Kranthiveera Sangolli Rayanna, Galaate, Power, Shivayogi Sri Puttayyajja, and Buckaasuura. His 2019 releases include Lock and Kurukshetra.

Shashikumar is also a politician who served as a member of the 13th Lok Sabha (1999–2004), representing the Chitradurga constituency on a Janata Dal (United) ticket.

He was a member of the Indian National Congress and later rejoined the Janata Dal (S) in April 2018, becoming likely to contest the Assembly election from the Hosadurga constituency. The JD(U) denied him a ticket in the 2004 elections, which led him to jump ship to the JD(S). In 2022, he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and remains a member as of present. He is originally from Andhra Pradesh but is based in Karnataka, India.