Darshan (actor)

Darshan Thoogudeep
Darshan in Saarathi
Born	Darshan Thoogudeepa (1977-02-16) 16 February 1977 Mandya, Karnataka, India
Residence	Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Other names	Challenging Star D Boss Darshu Kencha Daasa
Occupation	Actor, Producer, Distributer
Years active	2001 – present
Height	6.3 (1.91m)
Spouse(s)	Vijaya Lakshmi Darshan (2000 – present)
Children	Vineesh
Parents	Thoogudeepa Srinivas (father, deceased) Meena Thoogudeepa (mother)
Relatives	Dinakar Thoogudeep (brother)

Darshan Thoogudeep (born 16 February 1977) mononymously credited as Darshan, is an Indian film actor and a film producer who works predominantly in the Kannada film industry. Darshan is the most tallest south Indian actor with a height of 6'3" (1.91m).^[1] Son of actor Thoogudeepa Srinivas, Darshan made his lead role film debut in 2001 film, Majestic, and has since then starred in many commercial and critical hit films such as Kariya (2003), Namma Preethiya Ramu (2003), Gaja (2008), Saarathi (2011), Chingari (2012) Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna (2012) Bulbul (2013) and Brindavana 2013.

After working behind the camera and in small roles, he received his break in Majestic .^[2] He is also known for his strong passion for wild animals and owns a private zoo in the far east of Mysore.^[2][3][4]

In 2006, Darshan started a production house named "Thoogudeepa Productions" for which his mother, Meena, is the official producer and his younger brother, Dinakar Thoogudeep, is the director. The film Jothe Jotheyali (2006) was the production house's maiden venture. He has participated in the 2012 Celebrity Cricket League cricket match in the Karnataka Bulldozers team.

Darshan has a huge fan following in Karnataka & accredited by fans as D Boss . Due to overwhelming response to Darshan movies in Karnataka next to chakrapani's movies, his best friend Sudeep called Darshan as number 1 Kannada actor publicly^[5] Darshan had a great career after his movie Saarathi, from then almost every movie of Darshan ran successfully and became blockbuster hit. Today if Darshan movies are released in Karnataka many movies postpone their release and give way for Darshan's movies.^[6] Darshan's movie are being made with high budgets today.

Early life

Darshan was born to character actor Thoogudeepa Srinivas and Meena Thoogudeepa on 16 February 1977^[7] in Mysore. His younger brother Dinakar Thoogudeep is a film director who scripts films under their home production. Thoogudeepa is the name of a Kannada Film in which Srinivas, father of Darshan, acted and got the fame.

As a child, he studied his primary and secondary education at Mysore.^[8] Before entering into films, Darshan appeared in few tele-serials and tele-shows.

Career

Before starting off his career as a lead actor, Darshan worked in several feature films in various insignificant roles such as assistant cinematographer and uncredited actor. His first acting stint was in the 1997 released film Mahabharatha directed by S. Narayan.^[9] He went on to feature in small supporting roles in the films such as Devara Maga (2000), Bhootayyana Makkalu (2000). This period saw him play small roles in Television series as well.

Darshan's first break came with the film Majestic directed by P. N. Satya and released in 2001 in which he played the role of Daasa, an innocent youth turned underwold don, for the first time. Sify called his performance as "impressive".^[10] After Majestic, Darshan signed more films, and by the end of 2002, three more films (Dhruva, Ninagoskara, Kitti) with him as lead were released.

He then appeared in films such as Kitti, Ninagoskara and Neenandre Ishta, "Daasa" produced by Ramesh Yadav.

He starred in Prem's directorial debut, the 2003 action film Kariya. His next ventures saw him portraying diverse roles of a budding musician in Laali Haadu, a journalist in Lankesh Patrike and a blind poor man in Namma Preethiya Ramu.

In 2004 he starred in Kalasipalya directed by Om Prakash Rao and in P. N. Satya's Daasa. In 2005, he acted in Annavru and Ayya.

In 2006, he made a cameo appearance in his first home production Jothe Jotheyali. In 2011, Darshan starred in three films including Saarathi which was directed by his brother Dinakar.^[11]

His 2012 release was Chingari. Next, he played a protagonist role in Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna and got his maiden Filmfare Award

for best actor.^[12] His home production Bulbul released on May 2013^[13] and Viraat is due for release. ^{[citation needed]}

Personal life

Darshan married Vijayalakshmi in 2000. They have one child named Vineesh. Darshan runs his own zoo privately in far east of Mysore, Karnataka. Darshan’s other passion is cars.^[14]

Controversy

On 9 September 2011, Darshan was arrested on the charges of torturing, threatening and beating his wife Vijayalakshmi with a gun,^[15] his co-actor Nikita Thukral was reportedly banned by the Kannada Film Producers' Association (KFPA) for a period of three years for causing "marital discord" in Darshan's family, the "ban" was retracted after the public outrage and the criticism from the film fraternity.^[16] Darshan was released after he was granted bail by the High Court of Karnataka.^[17] The controversy ended with the Judge negotiating a compromise and Darshan apologising for his misconduct.^[18]

Filmography

As a film producer

Darshan started a production house named Thoogudeepa productions, which has produced following movies.

Distribution company

The latest addition to the Darshan empire is a distribution company called Toogudeepa Distributors. Darshan's family already has a production company; Toogudeepa Productions and also a shooting unit. The first film that has besn distributed through the new distribution company is Bulbul, which has released on May 10.^[13]

Awards

• 2010 - Won, Zee Kannada & Innovative Film Awards — Onida Style Icon Award.^[20]
• 2012 - Won, TV9 Best Actor award for the movie Saarathi ^[21]
• 2012 - Won, Suvarna Best Hero award- Saarathi.
• 2012 - Nominated, SIIMA Award for Best Actor- Saarathi.
• 2012 - Won, Man of the Year by Bangalore Press Club.^[22][23]
• 2013 - Nominated, SIIMA Award for Best Actor- Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna.
• 2013 - Won, Suvarna Best Actor award- Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna.
• 2013 - Won, Filmfare Best Actor Award - Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna.
• 2014 - won, Devarayana durga for D boys best Hero award (BUL BUL )".

References

External links

• Darshan at the Internet Movie Database
• Darshan (actor) on Twitter
• Darshan (actor) on Facebook
• Official website