Acting
Mukhyamantri Chandru
**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.
Filmography
Kranti
Film · 2023
SeethaRama
Series · 2023
Munduvareda Adhyaya
Film · 2021
LAW
Film · 2020
Rana Vikrama
Film · 2015
Weekend With Ramesh
Series · 2014
Chatrigalu Sir Chatrigalu
Film · 2013
Parijatha
Film · 2012
Govindaya Namaha
Film · 2012
Male Barali Manju Irali
Film · 2009
Milana
Film · 2007
Snehana Preethina
Film · 2007
Thayiya Madilu
Film · 2007
Appachchi
Film · 2007
Sevanthi Sevanthi
Film · 2006
Tenali Rama
Film · 2006
Thavarina Siri
Film · 2006
Hatavadi
Film · 2006
Pandu Ranga Vittala
Film · 2005
Anna Thangi
Film · 2005
Ree Swalpa Bartheera
Film · 2003
Stumble
Film · 2003
Kushalave Kshemave
Film · 2003
Ooh La La
Film · 2003
Balagalittu Olage Baa
Film · 2002
Jameendarru
Film · 2002
Banallu Neene Buviyallu Neene
Film · 2001
Kotigalu Saar Kotigalu
Film · 2001
Jodi
Film · 2001
Shabdavedhi
Film · 2000
Devara Maga
Film · 2000
Galate Aliyandru
Film · 2000
Nannavalu Nannavalu
Film · 2000
Suryavamsha
Film · 1999
Suvvi Suvvalali
Film · 1998
Cheluva
Film · 1997
Ganga Yamuna
Film · 1997
Lakshmi Mahalakshmi
Film · 1997
Bhanda Alla Bahaddur
Film · 1997
Ammavra Ganda
Film · 1997
Sowbhagya Devathe
Film · 1996
Sipayi
Film · 1996
Janumada Jodi
Film · 1996
Pattanakke Banda Putta
Film · 1996
Ibbara Naduve Muddina Aata
Film · 1996
Sutradhara
Film · 1996
Hello Sister
Film · 1995
Killer Diary
Film · 1995
Rowdy
Film · 1995
Alexander
Film · 1994
Chinna
Film · 1994
Indrana Gedda Narendra
Film · 1994
Kunthi Puthra
Film · 1994
Prema Simhasana
Film · 1994
Mojina Maduve
Film · 1993
Prana Snehitha
Film · 1993
Kollura Sri Mookambika
Film · 1993
Bhagavan Sri Saibaba
Film · 1993
Gundana Maduve
Film · 1993
Shakthi Yukthi
Film · 1992
Mysore Jaana
Film · 1992
Ganesha Subramanya
Film · 1992
Shivanaga
Film · 1992
Nagaradalli Nayakaru
Film · 1992
Sriramachandra
Film · 1992
Guru Brahma
Film · 1992
Chikkejamanru
Film · 1992
Malashree Mamashree
Film · 1992
Sindhoora Thilaka
Film · 1992
Solillada Saradara
Film · 1992
Bombat Hendthi
Film · 1992
Edurmaneli Ganda Pakkadmaneli Hendthi
Film · 1992
Ranachandi
Film · 1991
Gauri Ganesha
Film · 1991
Neenu Nakkare Haalu Sakkare
Film · 1991
Garuda Dhwaja
Film · 1991
Readymade Ganda
Film · 1991
Golmal Part 2
Film · 1991
Rowdy & MLA
Film · 1991
Lion Jagapathi Rao
Film · 1991
Gruha Pravesha
Film · 1991
Kitthurina Huli
Film · 1991
Shanti Kranti
Film · 1991
Kalyana Mantapa
Film · 1991
Ibbaru Hendira Muddina Police
Film · 1991
Ganeshana Maduve
Film · 1990
Shivashankar
Film · 1990
Mathe Hadithu Kogile
Film · 1990
Hosa Jeevana
Film · 1990
Ivalentha Hendthi
Film · 1990
Swarna Samsara
Film · 1990
S. P. Sangliyana Part 2
Film · 1990
Challenge Gopalakrishna
Film · 1990
Nammoora Hammeera
Film · 1990
Ranabheri
Film · 1990
Idu Saadhya
Film · 1989
Hrudaya Geethe
Film · 1989
Yuga Purusha
Film · 1989
Jai Karnataka
Film · 1989
Mutthinantha Manushya
Film · 1989
Narasimha
Film · 1989
Hongkongnalli Agent Amar
Film · 1989
Ranadheera
Film · 1988
Anjada Gandu
Film · 1988
Krishna Rukmini
Film · 1988
Nee Nanna Daiva
Film · 1988
Brahma Vishnu Maheshwara
Film · 1988
Nammoora Raja
Film · 1988
Jana Nayaka
Film · 1988
Arjun
Film · 1988
Praja Prabhuthva
Film · 1988
Vijaya Khadga
Film · 1988
Premaloka
Film · 1987
Inspector Kranthikumar
Film · 1987
Bedi
Film · 1987
Mr. Raja
Film · 1987
Anthima Theerpu
Film · 1987
Sangrama
Film · 1987
Krishna Nee Begane Baaro
Film · 1986
Maneye Manthralaya
Film · 1986
Agni Parikshe
Film · 1986
Guri
Film · 1986
Bete
Film · 1986
Brahmastra
Film · 1986
Vishwaroopa
Film · 1986
Sathkara
Film · 1986
Chaduranga
Film · 1985
Swabhimana
Film · 1985
Naanu Nanna Hendthi
Film · 1985
Jwalamukhi
Film · 1985
Guru Jagadguru
Film · 1985
Devarelliddane
Film · 1985
Aahuthi
Film · 1985
Sneha Sambandha
Film · 1985
Premigala Saval
Film · 1984
Khaidi
Film · 1984
Sidilu
Film · 1984
Gajendra
Film · 1984
Onde Raktha
Film · 1984
Mududida Tavare Aralithu
Film · 1983
Simha Gharjane
Film · 1983
Chakravyuha
Film · 1983
Maneli Ramanna Beedili Kamanna
Film · 1983
Dharma Yuddha
Film · 1983
Legacy
Film
Avale Nanna Hendthi
Film