Honnasandra Narasimhaiah Chandrashekar, also known as Mukhyamantri Chandru, is an Indian actor and politician. He works primarily in the Kannada film industry. He is famous for playing the role of the Chief Minister in the Kannada drama Mukhyamantri. He is a member of the Indian National Congress.
Wiki/Biography
Mukhyamantri Chandru was born on Friday, August 28, 1953 (67 years old in 2020) in Honnasandra, Nelamangala, Bangalore Rural, Mysore. His star sign is Virgo. He graduated from Siddaganga Matha, Tumkur and then joined the Government College of Arts and Science, Bangalore for his Bachelor of Science. During college, Chandru used to watch plays at Ravindra Kalakshetra and from then on, he developed an interest in acting. After graduation, Chandru worked as a clerk in Bangalore University. At the same time, he was also involved in theatre performances.
appearance
Height (approximate): 5′ 6″
Hair color: Black
Eye color: Black
Family and caste
Mukhyamantri Chandru belonged to a Jain family.
Parents and siblings
His father was an agronomist. Little is known about his mother and siblings.
Wife and children
Chandru married actress Padma in June 1983. They have two sons, Bharath and Sharath.
Mukhyamantri Chandru and his wife
Mukhyamantri Chandru’s son Sharath
Acting career
Mukhyamantri Chandru began his theatre career in 1978 when he was chosen to play the role of ‘Krishna Dwaipayana Kaushal’, the Chief Minister of the Indian state of Udayanchal, in a play called ‘Mukhyamantri’. Chandru added his own lines to the play, turning the serious drama into a comedy. The play became a huge hit and earned Chandru the nickname ‘Mukhyamantri’.
Mukhyamantri Chandru in Kannada Drama, Mukhyamantri
Chandru started his acting career with a Kannada film, Chakravyuha, in 1983. He then appeared in many Kannada films like “Mududida Tavare Aralithu”, “Jwaalamukhi”, “Guri”, “Avale Nanna Hendthi” and “Neenu Nakkare Haalu Sakkare”.
Mukhyamantri Chandru in Chakravyuha
Chandru played a prominent role in the comedy film Ganeshana Maduve in 1990. Since then, he has appeared in many popular Kannada films such as Sipayi, Ammavra Ganda, Karna Sampathu, Mathadana, Manasugula Mathu Madhura and Govindaya Namaha.
Political career
Chandru started his political career in 1985 by joining the BJP. In the same year, he won the assembly elections from Gauribidanur. In 1991, he switched to the BJP and subsequently became a member of the Legislative Assembly in 1998 and 2004.
Mukhyamantri Chandru speaking at a rally as a member of the BJP
He then served as the chairman of the Kannada Development Authority until 2013. In 2014, Chandru left the BJP and joined the Indian National Congress.
Mukhyamantri Chandru, member of the Indian National Congress
On July 13, 2023, he was appointed as the president of the Karnataka People’s Party.
Favorite things
- Comedians: Laurel and Hardy, Charlie Chaplin
- Food: Ragi Mudde, Bas Saaru Meal
- Books: Vachana Sahitya, Janapada Sahitya
Facts/Trivia
- His hobbies include reading and acting.
- In an interview, Chandru revealed that during his childhood he had a very low IQ and was even afraid to talk to his friends.
- Chandru was awarded an honorary doctorate by Gulbarga University for his contributions to the world of Kannada theatre and his activism in promoting and preserving the Kannada language.
- Chandru is known for playing the role of ‘Chief Minister’ in the Kannada drama Mukhyamantri. However, he was not the first choice to play the role. The role was initially offered to Lohitaswar, but he could not act due to illness.
- In January 2020, Chandru’s play Mukhyamantri completed its 700th performance in India and abroad.
- During his tenure as chairman of the Kannada Development Authority (KDA), Chandru worked to preserve and promote the Kannada language. In December 2008, he called for mandatory Kannada numbers on all state government vehicles. He even called for Kannada to be made a compulsory subject in grades 1 to 5.
- Chandru revealed in an interview that his parents could not afford to send him to Bangalore for higher education, so he spent his college life at the homes of relatives and friends. He even revealed that there was a time when Chandru often slept in public places.
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education