Rishi (Kannada actor)
{{Short description|Indian Kannada actor}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2018}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Rishi
| image = File:Image of Rishi portfolio.jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Rishi at Operation Alamelamma (2017) success press meet
| birth_name = Monish Nagaraj
| birth_date = 21 June 1988
| birth_place = Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| death_date =
| death_place =
| othername =
| nationality = Indian
| yearsactive = 2014–present
| occupation = Actor
| children =
}}
Monish Nagaraj, known by his screen name Rishi, is an Indian actor, who works mainly in Kannada cinema. An engineering graduate, he was an active theatre artist before venturing into the Kannada film industry. He rose to fame with the 2017 blockbuster film Operation Alamelamma.{{Cite news|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/230717/operation-alamelamma-movie-review-get-abducted-for-fun-and-entertainment.html|title=Operation Alamelamma movie review: Get abducted for fun and entertainment|date=2017-07-23|work=Deccan Chronicle|access-date=2017-12-15|language=en}}
Early life and education
Rishi was born in Bangalore and brought up in Mysore, Karnataka. His father K. C. Nagaraj was a bank official working in Kaveri Grameena Bank and his mother Anala Nagaraj, is a home maker. His birth name is Monish Nagaraj.{{cite video |title=Rishi's Remuneration After #Kavaludari {{!}} Star Express Kannada |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jSYk1JscG4 |publisher=Radio City India |access-date=30 November 2021 |language=en |archive-date=30 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211130023318/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jSYk1JscG4 |url-status=live }} He did his schooling from St Joseph's Primary School, Mysore and Pre - University course from Marimallappa 's College, Mysore. He went on to attend Sri Jayachamarajendra College of Engineering, Mysore, pursuing a Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering.{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/as-an-actor-you-are-forced-to-be-on-your-toes-at-all-times-rishi/articleshow/59618385.cms|title=As an actor, you are forced to be on your toes at all times: Rishi|work=The Times of India|access-date=2017-12-15|archive-date=15 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171215170924/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/as-an-actor-you-are-forced-to-be-on-your-toes-at-all-times-rishi/articleshow/59618385.cms|url-status=live}}
During his engineering days, Rishi developed a keen interest in acting and started performing with various amateur theatre groups in Mysore. He was in charge of the dramatics team at his college and also worked as a Radio Jockey outside.{{Cite news|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/sandalwood/280617/thriller-nights-for-rishi.html|title=Thriller nights for Rishi|date=2017-06-28|work=Deccan Chronicle|access-date=2017-12-15|language=en|archive-date=25 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225154049/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/sandalwood/280617/thriller-nights-for-rishi.html|url-status=live}}
Career
Through campus placement upon graduation, Rishi got a job in a company and entered a brief corporate stint. Following this, he quit his job to become an entrepreneur in the retail interiors and merchandising field.
He then got an opportunity to appear in T. N. Seetharam's Mahaparva. Rishi continued to perform with established theatre groups in Bangalore until he got an opportunity to appear in a television daily, Anuroopa,{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/kannada/rishi-speaks-about-being-a-tv-boy/articleshow/56047232.cms|title=TV has a reach that even films aspire to garner: Rishi|last=Daithotal|first=Madhu|date=19 December 2016|newspaper=The Times of India}} which was telecast on Star Suvarna. His character portrayal in the serial won him Best Actor consecutively for two years at the Star Suvarna Parivar awards.
= Debut and recognition =
In 2016, director Suni of Simple Agi Ondh Love Story fame cast Rishi for his thriller comedy film Operation Alamelamma.{{Cite news|url=http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/manish-rishi-set-make-sandalwood-debut-operation-alamelamma-64439|title=Rishi set to make Sandalwood debut with 'Operation Alamelamma'|date=2017-06-30|work=The News Minute|access-date=2017-12-15|archive-date=15 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171215221302/http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/manish-rishi-set-make-sandalwood-debut-operation-alamelamma-64439|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.desimartini.com/news/kannada/rishi-all-set-for-operation-alamelamma/article55723.html|title=Rishi All Set For 'Operation Alamelamma'|work=Desimartini|access-date=2017-12-15|language=en}}{{dead link|date=April 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} The film became one of the major blockbuster hits of 2017,{{Cite news|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/sunis-operation-alamelamma-emerges-victorious-sandalwood-box-office-736679|title=Suni's Operation Alamelamma emerges victorious at the Sandalwood box office|last=Upadhyaya|first=Prakash|work=International Business Times, India Edition|access-date=2017-12-15|language=en|archive-date=15 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171215221214/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/sunis-operation-alamelamma-emerges-victorious-sandalwood-box-office-736679|url-status=live}} also releasing in countries like USA and Europe.{{Cite news|url=http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/kannada-thriller-operation-alamelamma-theatrical-rights-bagged-makers-raajakumara-61965|title=Kannada thriller 'Operation Alamelamma' theatrical rights bagged by makers of 'Raajakumara'|date=2017-05-13|work=The News Minute|access-date=2017-12-15|archive-date=15 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171215221321/http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/kannada-thriller-operation-alamelamma-theatrical-rights-bagged-makers-raajakumara-61965|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/sandalwood/130817/namma-global-invasion.html|title=Namma global invasion!|date=2017-08-13|work=Deccan Chronicle|access-date=2017-12-15|language=en}} Rishi gained wide acclaim for his debut lead role of Purmy,{{Cite news|url=http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/director-suni-s-operation-alamelamma-release-next-month-63750|title=Director Suni's 'Operation Alamelamma' to release next month|date=2017-06-16|work=The News Minute|access-date=2017-12-15|archive-date=15 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171215221300/http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/director-suni-s-operation-alamelamma-release-next-month-63750|url-status=live}} a vegetable vendor. His next release was in 2019 named Kavaludaari which was directed by Hemanth Rao of Godhi Banna Sadharna Maykattu fame and produced by Puneeth Rajkumar under his production house PRK Productions. The film became a blockbuster hit and Rishi gained huge appreciation for his role as Inspector K.S.Shyam from both critics and as well as by audience.{{Cite web|url=http://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/south-masala/rishi-bags-second-film-before-his-first-is-out/articleshow/59274486.cms|title=RISHI BAGS SECOND FILM BEFORE HIS FIRST IS OUT|last=Prasad S|first=Shyam|date=23 June 2017}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2017/jun/14/rishi-as-police-officer-in-thrilling-kavalu-daari-1616752.html|title=Rishi as police officer in thrilling Kavalu Daari|work=The New Indian Express|access-date=2017-12-15}}
Rishi has finished shooting for Sakalakala Vallabha which is being directed and co produced by Jacob Verghese along with Tamil actor and producer Dhanush.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2017/oct/07/rishi-to-lead-in-dhanushs-sandalwood-debut-1667901.html|title=Rishi to lead in Dhanush's Sandalwood debut|work=The New Indian Express|access-date=2017-12-15|archive-date=16 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231216233552/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2017/oct/07/rishi-to-lead-in-dhanushs-sandalwood-debut-1667901.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2017/oct/12/after-malayalam-dhanush-eyes-the-kannada-industry-1671500.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171215221225/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2017/oct/12/after-malayalam-dhanush-eyes-the-kannada-industry-1671500.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 December 2017|title=After Malayalam, Dhanush eyes the Kannada industry|work=The New Indian Express|access-date=2017-12-15}}{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/rishis-next-will-see-dhanushs-backing/articleshow/60982628.cms|title=Rishi's next will see Dhanush's backing|work=The Times of India|access-date=2017-12-15}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/dhanush-ropes-operation-alamelamma-star-sandalwood-debut-69781|title=Dhanush ropes in 'Operation Alamelamma' star for Sandalwood debut|date=2017-10-10|work=The News Minute|access-date=2017-12-15|archive-date=15 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171215221318/http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/dhanush-ropes-operation-alamelamma-star-sandalwood-debut-69781|url-status=live}} He is also acting in Sarvajanikarige Suvarnavakaasha and Ramana avatara
Filmography
=Films=
| class="wikitable"
|+Key | style="background:#FFFFCC;"| {{dagger|alt=Films that have not yet been released}} | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
=Television=
| class="wikitable sortable"
!Year !Title !Role !Television !Notes |
| 2014
| Mahaparva | | |
| 2016
| Anuroopa | Rishi | Credited as Rishi |
| 2023
| Shaitan | Bali | Telugu web series |
Awards
| class="wikitable sortable"
!Year !Film !Award !Category !Result !Ref |
| 2018
|{{won}} |
| 2020
|rowspan=2|Kavaludaari |Critics Choice Awards 2020 |Best Actor - Kannada |{{won}} |
| 2021
|{{nom}} | |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name | id=8740731}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rishi}}
Category:Indian male film actors
Category:Male actors in Kannada cinema