Rakshit Shetty

Shetty was born in Udupi on 6 June 1983 in a Tulu-speaking Bunt family.^[1][4][5] He completed his schooling at his hometown. During his schooling days he was an avid Pili Nalike dancer, a folk dance in the Tulu Nadu region.^[6]

This made him provide a major role for the dancers in his 2014 film Ulidavaru Kandanthe.^[7] Before starting his movie career, he completed his bachelor's degree in Electronics and Communications engineering at N.M.A.M. Institute of Technology, Nitte, Karkala. After graduating, he worked as a software professional for two years before becoming an actor starting in theatre.^[8][9]

Shetty made his acting debut as a parallel lead with Nam Areal Ond Dina (2010) directed by Aravind Kaushik. The film starred debutants Anish Tejeshwar and Meghana Gaonkar in lead roles. Though the filming was commenced in 2008, the film underwent several struggles and huddles and released in July 2010.^[10] Though critics acclaimed the film for its non-linear narration, it didn't garner much popularity or success to Shetty.^[11] Following this debut, Shetty again collaborated with Aravind Kaushik and Meghana Gaonkar in his next release, Tuglak (2012). He essayed the role of Raaghu, an angry young man and garnered positive reviews from critics for his performance. However, the film was criticized for its screenplay and direction.^[12] The film also had actor Rishab Shetty in a pivotal role.

Shetty's big breakthrough came with the romance-comedy film Simple Agi Ondh Love Story (2013) directed by Simple Suni and co-starred Shwetha Srivatsav. The film turned out to be a major box-office success and also got critical acclaim.^[13] The film's success gave stardom to Shetty and he was fondly called as "Simple Star" and director Sunil Kumar being called "Simple Suni".^[14] Following this success, Shetty debuted as a director and screenwriter neo-noir gangster film Ulidavaru Kandanthe (2014). The film was the first in Kannada to be shot entirely in sync sound technology. Upon release, the movie was praised for its regional authenticity in depicting Tulu Nadu and its people. Shetty won multiple awards including Karnataka State Film Award for Director's First Time Best Film and Filmfare Award South for Best Director for his direction^[15][16] The film holds a cult following, and thus has become a part of new-age generation Kannada cinema.^[17] Following this, in the same year Shetty did a cameo role in Suni's directorial Bahuparak with Srinagar Kitty in the lead role.^[18]

Shetty began the year 2015 by coming out of his friends' circle and teaming up with the popular commercial director Yogaraj Bhat for the satire comedy film Vaastu Prakaara co-starring Jaggesh.^[19] Following this, Shetty appeared in a cameo as himself in the film Jaathre.

In 2016, Shetty played the title role in the romantic thriller Ricky, a directorial debut film of his friend Rishab Shetty. The film was a commercial success and Shetty was appreciated for his powerful performance. This was followed by the critical success Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu (2016). Shetty achieved further success with the 2016 college drama Kirik Party which he wrote and produced, it was a critical and commercial success.^[20] In 2022, Shetty was seen in 777 Charlie, with his co-star, Charlie, a Labrador; Shetty produced 777 Charlie with the direction of Kiranraj K, under Paramvah Studios and opposite with Sangeetha Sringeri.^[a] It was released on 10 June 2022. The shooting process of this film took more than five years. The film focuses on the relationship between pets and pet lovers.^[21] In 2023, he starred in Sapta Sagaradaache Ello directed by Hemanth Rao and co-starred Rukmini Vasanth. The film was split into two parts with separate release dates.

Shetty began dating his co-star Rashmika Mandanna during the making of Kirik Party, and the couple got engaged on 3 July 2017 in a private ceremony in her hometown of Virajpet.^[22] The couple mutually broke off their engagement in September 2018, citing compatibility issues.^[23]

Shetty's performance in Ulidavaru Kandanthe is regarded as one of the "100 Greatest Performances of the Decade" by Film Companion.^[24] He was named the Bangalore Times' Most Desirable Men in 2017.^[25] Further, Shetty was placed 2nd in 2018, 3rd in 2019 and 11th in 2020.^[26][27][28]

Shetty has been credited by the media for having begun a new wave of filmmaking in Kannada cinema. Through his unconventional body of works, he has established himself as one of the prominent film makers in the Kannada film industry.^[29][30]

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• Rakshit Shetty at IMDb