Chetan Kumar
| Chetan Kumar | |
|---|---|
| Born |
24 February 1983[1] Chicago, Illinois, U.S |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 2007–present |
Chetan Kumar (Kannada: ಚೇತನ್ ಕುಮಾರ್) (born 24 February 1983[2] is an Indian actor in Kannada cinema who made his debut in the 2007 film Aa Dinagalu. He is the recipient of Udaya Film Awards for the Best actor in his debut. He is a theater artist who has appeared in a series of Kannada plays. Although Chetan was born and brought up in Chicago, he is fluent in Kannada.
Early life
Chetan was born on 24 February 1983 in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. His family hails from Chitradurga in Karnataka. He finished his primary education at Marist High School. He studied South Asian Studies with an Emphasis on Comparative Theater Studies in BA and passed his graduation with distinction from Yale University, US in 2005. He received a Fulbright Scholarship to come to India in 2006.[3]
Career
Theater Stage Performer
Chetan began his career as a Kannada Stage Performer in early 2006. He performed in two Kannada plays Sethu Maadhavana Sallaapa and Sooryasthadinda Sooryodayadavarage with Bangalore-based theater group Vistara in May 2006 and August 2006.
His other multifaceted activities include modern dance, mono acting and instrumental. Since his college days he has been a choreographer/instructor/stage dancer of Bhangra, actor in English and Kannada plays. He performs Indian classical music (Carnatic) and jazz on the saxophone.
Film Actor
Chetan debuted as hero in Kannada films through director K. M. Chaitanya's debut directorial venture Aa Dinagalu in 2007. The film went on to become highly successful at the box office and became critically acclaimed. This also fetched him the Udaya Film Awards for the best actor. Followed by this film, Chetan has appeared in a cameo role in Puneet Rajkumar's 2009 film Raam. He got yet another critical acclamation for his role in the film Birugaali.Movies like "Suryakanthi" and "Dashamukha" did not fare exceptionally well at the box office.However,Myna which was released in the year 2013 turned out to be a sensational success.He was praised for his performance both by the media as well as the audience.
Philanthropy
Kumar has been serving as rural school instructor in Vinayaka Gnana Vidya Shale, a government school in Mullur, a village near Mysore in Karnataka since 2005. In addition to this, he worked in the field of women empowerment, and promoted a campaign to save victims of pesticide poisoning.[4]
Filmography
 |
Denotes films that have not yet been released |
| Year | Film | Role | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Aa Dinagalu | Chetan | Kannada | Udaya Film Award for Best Debut Actor |
| 2009 | Raam | Himself | Kannada | Guest Appearance |
| 2009 | Birugaali | Hacchi | Kannada | |
| 2010 | Suryakanthi | Rohith / Surya | Kannada | |
| 2012 | Dashamukha | Agni | Kannada | |
| 2013 | Myna | Sathyamurthy | Kannada | |
Awards and recognitions
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Udaya Film Awards | Best Actor | Aa Dinagalu | Won |
References
- ↑ http://www.filmibeat.com/celebs/chetan-kumar/biography.html
- ↑ http://www.filmibeat.com/celebs/chetan-kumar/biography.html
- ↑ "Indian American actor, Fulbright scholar and Yale alum Chetan Kumar assaulted by police officer in Bengaluru". americanbazaaronline.com. 29 January 2015. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
- ↑ Ranendran, Nuvena (6 October 2013). "An actor with the heart of a teacher". Deccan Chronicle. deccanchronicle.com. Retrieved 15 April 2015.