Mukhyamantri Chandru
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- August 28, 1953 (age 73)
Biography
**Honnasandra Narasimhaiah Chandrashekar** (born 28 August 1953), widely and affectionately known as **Mukhyamantri Chandru**, is a veteran Indian actor, theatre personality, and politician who works predominantly in Kannada cinema. With a prolific career spanning over four decades, he has appeared in over 500 films and is celebrated as one of the most versatile and enduring character actors in the Sandalwood industry. Born in Honnasandra in the Nelamangala taluk of Karnataka, Chandru developed a profound passion for the performing arts during his youth. He became heavily involved in amateur theatre and achieved massive statewide fame on the stage for his stellar portrayal of a cunning, ambitious politician in the hugely popular Kannada play *Mukhyamantri*. His performance in the titular role was so iconic and universally acclaimed that "Mukhyamantri" (Chief Minister) became a permanent prefix to his public and professional identity for the rest of his life. Chandru transitioned to the silver screen and made his feature film debut with the 1983 blockbuster film *Chakravyuha*. He quickly became a highly sought-after character actor, renowned for his impeccable comic timing, highly expressive dialogue delivery, and ability to seamlessly switch between humorous roles and menacing villains. He frequently portrayed corrupt politicians, eccentric landlords, and strict family patriarchs. He is particularly remembered for his legendary comedic collaborations with actor Anant Nag in classic hits like *Ganeshana Maduve* (1990) and *Gauri Ganesha* (1991). His extensive and celebrated filmography includes memorable roles in *Ondu Muttina Kathe* (1987), *Muthina Haara* (1990), *Golmaal Radhakrishna* (1990), *Mathadana* (2001), and *Simhadriya Simha* (2002). Beyond his cinematic achievements, Chandru is a prominent political and cultural figure in Karnataka. He served as a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) and has been a fierce, lifelong advocate for the state's culture and language. He made significant administrative contributions during his highly active tenure as the Chairperson of the Kannada Development Authority (Kannada Abhivruddhi Pradhikara), continuously fighting to safeguard, implement, and promote the Kannada language. In recognition of his monumental contributions to theatre, cinema, and linguistic activism, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by Gulbarga University.
Known For
Filmography
Legacy
Movie
Avale Nanna Hendthi
Movie · as Somashekharayya
Kranti
Movie · as Basava Rayanna
SeethaRama
TV · as Suryaprakash Desai (Suri) · 490 eps
Munduvareda Adhyaya
Movie
LAW
Movie
Rana Vikrama
Movie · as Karnataka's CM
Weekend With Ramesh
TV · as Himself · 1 ep
Chatrigalu Sir Chatrigalu
Movie
Parijatha
Movie
Govindaya Namaha
Movie · as Vydehi's father
Male Barali Manju Irali
Movie
Milana
Movie · as Akash's father
Snehana Preethina
Movie
Thayiya Madilu
Movie
Appachchi
Movie
Sevanthi Sevanthi
Movie
Tenali Rama
Movie
Thavarina Siri
Movie
Hatavadi
Movie
Pandu Ranga Vittala
Movie
Anna Thangi
Movie
Ree Swalpa Bartheera
Movie
Stumble
Movie
Kushalave Kshemave
Movie
Ooh La La
Movie
Balagalittu Olage Baa
Movie
Jameendarru
Movie
Banallu Neene Buviyallu Neene
Movie
Kotigalu Saar Kotigalu
Movie
Jodi
Movie
Shabdavedhi
Movie
Devara Maga
Movie · as Sidde Gowda
Galate Aliyandru
Movie
Nannavalu Nannavalu
Movie
Suryavamsha
Movie · as Padma's uncle (military man)
Suvvi Suvvalali
Movie
Mayamruga
TV · as Mohan Murthy · 77 eps
Cheluva
Movie
Ganga Yamuna
Movie
Lakshmi Mahalakshmi
Movie
Bhanda Alla Bahaddur
Movie
Ammavra Ganda
Movie
Sowbhagya Devathe
Movie
Sipayi
Movie · as Baaji Bettayya
Janumada Jodi
Movie · as Tammadi
Pattanakke Banda Putta
Movie
Ibbara Naduve Muddina Aata
Movie
Sutradhara
Movie
Shiva Sainya
Movie
Hello Sister
Movie
Killer Diary
Movie
Rowdy
Movie
Alexander
Movie
Chinna
Movie
Indrana Gedda Narendra
Movie
Kunthi Puthra
Movie
Prema Simhasana
Movie
Mojina Maduve
Movie
Prana Snehitha
Movie
Kollura Sri Mookambika
Movie · as Sudharma Maharaja of Vidharba
Bhagavan Sri Saibaba
Movie
Gundana Maduve
Movie
Shakthi Yukthi
Movie
Mysore Jaana
Movie
Ganesha Subramanya
Movie · as House Owner
Shivanaga
Movie
Nagaradalli Nayakaru
Movie
Sriramachandra
Movie
Guru Brahma
Movie
Chikkejamanru
Movie
Malashree Mamashree
Movie
Sindhoora Thilaka
Movie
Solillada Saradara
Movie
Bombat Hendthi
Movie
Edurmaneli Ganda Pakkadmaneli Hendthi
Movie
Hatamari Hennu Kiladi Gandu
Movie
Ranachandi
Movie
Gauri Ganesha
Movie · as Poornananda Rao
Veerappan
Movie
Neenu Nakkare Haalu Sakkare
Movie
Garuda Dhwaja
Movie
Readymade Ganda
Movie
Golmal Part 2
Movie
Rowdy & MLA
Movie
Lion Jagapathi Rao
Movie
Gruha Pravesha
Movie
Kitthurina Huli
Movie
Shanti Kranti
Movie
Kalyana Mantapa
Movie · as Alasingachar Perumal
Navathare
Movie
Ibbaru Hendira Muddina Police
Movie
Ganeshana Maduve
Movie · as Ramana Murthy
Shivashankar
Movie
Mathe Hadithu Kogile
Movie · as Pradeep
Hosa Jeevana
Movie
Ivalentha Hendthi
Movie
Swarna Samsara
Movie
S. P. Sangliyana Part 2
Movie
Challenge Gopalakrishna
Movie
Nammoora Hammeera
Movie · as Bhujanga Rao
Ranabheri
Movie
Sididedda Gandu
Movie
Idu Saadhya
Movie · as Siddha, the Police Constable
Hrudaya Geethe
Movie
Yuga Purusha
Movie
Jai Karnataka
Movie
Mutthinantha Manushya
Movie
Narasimha
Movie
Hongkongnalli Agent Amar
Movie
Ranadheera
Movie · as Rajaram
Anjada Gandu
Movie · as Bhujangayya
Krishna Rukmini
Movie
Nee Nanna Daiva
Movie
Brahma Vishnu Maheshwara
Movie
Mathrudevobhava
Movie
Nammoora Raja
Movie
Jana Nayaka
Movie
Arjun
Movie
Praja Prabhuthva
Movie
Vijaya Khadga
Movie
Premaloka
Movie · as Chief Minister
Inspector Kranthikumar
Movie
Bedi
Movie
Mr. Raja
Movie
Anthima Theerpu
Movie
Sangrama
Movie
Krishna Nee Begane Baaro
Movie
Maneye Manthralaya
Movie
Agni Parikshe
Movie
Guri
Movie · as Rudrayya
Bete
Movie
Brahmastra
Movie
Vishwaroopa
Movie
Sathkara
Movie
Henne Ninagenu Bandhana
Movie
Chaduranga
Movie
Swabhimana
Movie
Naanu Nanna Hendthi
Movie
Jwalamukhi
Movie · as Gunashekhara
Guru Jagadguru
Movie
Devarelliddane
Movie
Aahuthi
Movie
Sneha Sambandha
Movie
Veeradhi Veera
Movie
Premigala Saval
Movie
Khaidi
Movie
Sidilu
Movie
Gajendra
Movie
Onde Raktha
Movie
Hosa Ithihasa
Movie
Mududida Tavare Aralithu
Movie
Simha Gharjane
Movie
Chakravyuha
Movie · as Shankarappa
Maneli Ramanna Beedili Kamanna
Movie
Dharma Yuddha
Movie
Nyaya Gedditu
Movie