Milana Nagaraj

Last updated

Milana Nagaraj
Born25 April [1]
Hassan, Karnataka, India
Alma mater Vivekananda Institute of Technology, Bengaluru
Occupations
  • Actress
  • model
  • producer
Years active2013–present
Spouse
​
(m. 2021)​
Children1

Milana Nagaraj (born 25 April) is an Indian actress who primarily works in Kannada films. Milana has established herself as one of the leading actresses in Kannada cinema and is a recipient of several accolades including a Karnataka State Film Award, a Filmfare Awards South and two SIIMA Awards. [2] [3]

Contents

Milana made her acting debut with Nam Duniya Nam Style (2013). The same year, she received Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Kannada nomination, for her performance in Brindavana . Post a series of failures, Milana received praises for her portrayal of Nidhi in Love Mocktail (2020) and its sequel Love Mocktail 2 (2022), they marked a turning point in her career. [4] For the former, she won the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress – Kannada and SIIMA Award for Best Actress – Kannada. Further success came with Kousalya Supraja Rama (2023).

Milana is married to her co-actor Darling Krishna with whom she has a daughter. [5]

Early life and work

Milana was born in Hassan, Karnataka. [1] [6] She completed her schooling in Hassan. She completed her BE in computer science from Vivekananda Institute of Technology, Bengaluru and is a computer engineer. She was a state-level backstroke swimmer, before she started modelling. [7] [8]

Milana started her career as a model and participated in Femina Miss Karnataka, where she won "Miss Best Personality". She then ventured into acting. [9]

Career

Early work and struggle (2013-2019)

Milana made her screen debut with the 2013 film Nam Duniya Nam Style opposite Likith Shetty. [10] A Times of India critic noted, "Milana excels with good expressions and dialogue delivery." [11] In the same year, she portrayed Madhu, a college student opposite Darshan in Brindavana , a remake of Telugu film Brindavanam . [12] Several critics stated that Milana "impresses" with her expressions. She received a nomination for Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Kannada. [13] It was a box office success. [14] In 2015, she portrayed Purvi in Charlie , opposite Krishna. [15]

Milana had two film releases in 2017. She first made her Malayalam film debut with Avarude Raavukal opposite Vinay Forrt. [16] Cris from Deccan Chronicle stated, "Milana has done a neat job but seems like an afterthought." [17] Milana next portrayed Aishwarya, a politician's daughter in Jani opposite Vijay Raghavendra. [18] A critic of Vijaya Karnataka stated that Milana has "bare minimum to do". [19]

Success and critical acclaim (2020-2022)

Following a three year hiatus, Milana made her comeback to films with the 2020 film Love Mocktail . [20] She portrayed Nidhima, software employee opposite Krishna, which she also co-produces. A Shraddha from The New Indian Express stated, "A unique role for Milana, she shows maturity in her acting." [21] Aravind Shwetha of The News Minute noted, "Milana has a refreshing character and plays her part well. She must continue to pick roles that bring the best out of her." [22] A major commercial success, it emerged as the fourth highest grossing Kannada film of the year. [23] The same year, she portrayed Spandana in Matte Udbhava opposite Panju. [24] Times of India mentioned that "Milana Nagaraj chips in with a good performance." [25] Love Mocktail won her the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress – Kannada and she received her first Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Kannada nomination. [26]

Milana further had three film releases in 2022 – She first reprised Nidhima in the sequel Love Mocktail 2 , opposite Krishna. [27] Vivek M V called her the "soul of the franchise" and noted, "Milana's effort is a fine mix of understanding the character and bringing new layers to it." [28] Sunayana Suresh stated, "Milana looks ethereal in the film and adds a lot of entertainment." [29] It was a box office success and emerged as the eighth highest grossing Kannada film of the year. [30] Following this, she played Renu, a detective's wife opposite Sudeepa in Vikrant Rona . [31] A Bollywood Hungama critic was appreciative of hercameo role. [32] It became one of the highest grossing Kannada film of all time. [33] She then portrayed Nikitha alongside Amrutha Iyengar in O . [34] A Sharadhaa stated, "Milana get to experiment with fresh characterisation and gives a strong performance." It was a box office average. [35]

Career progression (2023-present)

In 2023, Milana first portrayed Pallavi opposite Krishna in Mr. Bachelor . [36] Vinay Lokesh stated that she proves her mettle with a "decent screen presence". [37] She next portrayed a fashion designer in Love Birds opposite Krishna. [38] A critic from The New Indian Express stated that she gave a "natural and poignant performance". [39] [40] In her last release of the year, Milana portrayed an alcoholic in Kousalya Supraja Rama , reuniting with Krishna. [41] The Hindu critic noted, "Milana's portrayal of a drunkard is a tad over the top, but she performs with superb restraint in serious portions." [42] Her performance earned her another nomination for Filmfare Best Actress – Kannada. [43] Mr. Bachelor and Love Birds failed at the box office but Kousalya Supraja Rama emerged a box office success and the eighth highest grossing film of the year. [44]

In her first release of 2024, Milana played a secretly married woman in For Regn opposite Pruthvi Ambaar. [45] Vivek M. V. noted, "Milana is natural in emotional sequences and the actors [Milana and Ambaar] do more for the film than what the film does for them." [46] Following this, she played a school teacher in Aaraam Arvind Swamy opposite Aniish. [47] Suhasini B Srihari of Deccan Herald was appreciative of her "credible performance". [48] Both films emerged as box office averages. [49]

Personal life

Milana Nagaraj met actor Krishna, on the sets of the 2013 film Nam Duniya Nam Style . They eventually started dating in 2015. [50] Milana married Krishna on 14 February 2021, in a private traditional ceremony on the outskirts of Bengaluru. [51] [52] On 5 September 2024, she gave birth to their daughter Pari. [53] [54]

In the media

Writing for Film Companion , film journalist Sonu Venugopal opined: "Milana Nagaraj has starred in many rom-coms in her career and has ushered in a new brand of such films in Kannada cinema. Milana would certainly be the perfect actor for a monicker in the rom-com genre, if there was." [55] Vivek M.V. of The Hindu noted, "Even in her weaker films, Milana stood out thanks to her charming presence and effortless portrayal of her characters." [56]

Milana was placed 17th in 2013 and 14th in 2020, in the Bangalore Times' Most Desirable Women list. [57] [58] In 2023, News18 placed her 3rd in its "Top Kannada Actresses" list and noted, "Her on-screen charisma and stellar performance worked wonders in Kousalya Supraja Rama. [59] Milana is one of the most followed Kannada actress on Instagram. [60]

Filmography

Films

Key
†Denotes films that have not yet been released
YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
2013 Nam Duniya Nam Style Milana [61]
Brindavana Madhu
2015 Charlie Purvi
2017 Avarude Raavukal Meghna Malayalam film
Jani Aishwarya
2020 Love Mocktail Nidhima "Niddhi"
Matte UdbhavaSpandana
2022 Love Mocktail 2 Nidhima "Nidhi"
Vikrant Rona Renu RonaCameo appearance [62]
O Nikitha
2023 Mr. Bachelor Pallavi [63]
Love Birds Pooja [64]
Kousalya Supraja Rama Mutthulakshmi
2024 For Regn Anvita "Anvi" [65]
Aaraam Arvind Swamy Geetha [66]
2025Bella†TBAFilming [67]

Producer

YearTitleRef.
2020 Love Mocktail
2022 Love Mocktail 2 [68]

Accolades

YearAwardCategoryFilmResultRef
2014 Filmfare Awards South Best Supporting Actress – Kannada Brindavana Nominated [69]
2021 Chandanavana Film Critics Academy Awards Best Film Love Mocktail Nominated [70]
Best ActressNominated
South Indian International Movie Awards Best Film – Kannada Won [71]
Best Actress – Kannada Won
2022 Filmfare Awards South Best Actress – Kannada Nominated [72]
Best Actress Critics – Kannada Won
Chittara Star Awards Rising StarWon [73]
2023 South Indian International Movie Awards Best Film – Kannada Love Mocktail 2 Nominated [74]
2024 Chandanavana Film Critics Academy Awards Best Actress Kousalya Supraja Rama Nominated [75]
Filmfare Awards South Best Actress – Kannada Nominated [76]
Chittara Star Awards Best ActressNominated [77]
2025 Karnataka State Film Awards Second Best Film Love Mocktail Won [78]
Chittara Star Awards Best Actress Aaraam Arvind Swamy Pending [79]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Happy Birthday Milana Nagaraj: Love Mocktail actress celebrates birthday with her husband Darling Krishna". News18 Kannada. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  2. ↑ "Milana Nagaraj: She believes she can fly, swim and act!". Deccan Chronicle. 14 November 2018. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
  3. ↑ "10 Things To Know About Kannada Star Milana Nagaraj". She The People. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  4. ↑ "SIIMA Awards 2021: Here Is The Complete Winners List Of Day 2". The Hans India. 20 September 2021. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  5. ↑ "Actor Darling Krishna's Wife-actress Milana Nagaraj Drops Her AI-generated Pictures". News18. 2 February 2023. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  6. ↑ "Kannada actress Milana Nagaraj celebrates her birthday with her parents and cousins!". The Times of India. 25 April 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  7. ↑ "Affiliated Institutes - Bengaluru". Visvesvaraya Technological University. Archived from the original on 21 June 2017. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
  8. ↑ "Milana Nagaraj: I wanted to be a national level swimmer!". The Times of India. 23 September 2013.
  9. ↑ "Milana Nagaraj". The Times of India. 23 September 2013. I participated in Miss Karnataka contest and was adjudged winner of Miss Best Personality
  10. ↑ "Preetham Gubbi's Nam Duniya Nam Style nearing completion". Sify . Archived from the original on 21 April 2013. Retrieved 6 September 2013.
  11. ↑ "NAM DUNIYA NAM STYLE MOVIE REVIEW - TOI". The Times of India. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  12. ↑ "Brindavana launched". Sify . 19 February 2013. Archived from the original on 24 February 2013.
  13. ↑ "2013 KANNADA FILM 'BRINDAAVANA' MOVIE REVIEW". The Times of India. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
  14. ↑ "'Brindavana' 25 Darshan Grace". IndiaGlitz. Archived from the original on 13 November 2013.
  15. ↑ "Charlie Movie Review". The Times of India. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  16. ↑ "Avarude Ravukal Movie Review: Critic Review of the film by Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  17. ↑ "Avarude Raavukal movie review: A puzzle to unravel". Deccan Chronicle. 25 June 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  18. ↑ "Cinematographer PKH Das makes his directorial debut with the film 'Jani'". Lehren.com. Archived from the original on 9 August 2017. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  19. ↑ "ಚಿತ್ರವಿಮರ್ಶೆ: 'ಜಾನಿ' ಮೇಕಿಂಗ್‌ನಲ್ಲಿ ಜಾಣತನ ಬೇಕಿತ್ತು". Vijaya Karnataka (in Kannada). 20 November 2017.
  20. ↑ "I was inspired by the Tamil film '96' to make 'Love Mocktail': Director Darling Krishna". The New Indian Express. 30 January 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  21. ↑ "'Love Mocktail' Movie Review: Mocktail of emotions with a musical hangover". The New Indian Express. 4 February 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  22. ↑ "'Love Mocktail' review: This pleasant romcom strikes all the right notes". The News Minute. 31 January 2020. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
  23. ↑ "Kannada Movies Box Office Round Up 2020". The Times of India . 6 March 2020.
  24. ↑ "Matte Udbhava: Cast, Photos, Videos, Review, Showtime and much more." The Times of India. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  25. ↑ "Matte Udbhava Movie Review: A movie marred only by cringe-worthy comedy". The Times of India. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
  26. ↑ "Allu Arjun's Pushpa: The Rise Leads SIIMA Nominations; Check Full List Here". News18 . 17 August 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  27. ↑ "Ready to start shooting for 'Love Mocktail 2', says Darling Krishna". The New Indian Express. 2 June 2020. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
  28. ↑ "'Love Mocktail 2' Movie Review: The magic is still intact". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  29. ↑ "Love Mocktail 2 Movie Review : A heart-warming journey, filled with loads of laughter". The Times of India. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  30. ↑ "Sandalwood Box Office 2022: From KGF Chapter 2 to Love Mocktail 2, the Industry is over 1000 crores for first time". Pinkvilla. Archived from the original on 13 January 2023. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
  31. ↑ "Vikrant Rona teaser: Kichcha Sudeepa film promises to be an immersive cinematic experience. Watch". The Indian Express. 2 April 2022. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  32. ↑ "Vikrant Rona Movie Review - 2022 Kannada film". Bollywood Hungama. 28 July 2022. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
  33. ↑ "Vikrant Rona box office collection Day 14: Kichcha Sudeep's film rakes in Rs 200 crore worldwide". 11 August 2022. Archived from the original on 18 July 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  34. ↑ "O Movie ready to Release: 'ಓ' ಮೂಲಕ ಹೆದರಿಸಲು ಬರ್ತಿದ್ದಾರೆ ಮಿಲನಾ ನಾಗರಾಜ್‌, ಅಮೃತಾ ಅಯ್ಯಂಗಾರ್‌". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  35. ↑ "'O' movie review: It raises the horror bar…a bit". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 20 November 2022. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  36. ↑ "Darling Krishna's 'Mr. Bachelor' will release on January 6". The Times of India. 26 December 2022.
  37. ↑ "Mr. Bachelor Movie Review : An engaging romantic comedy that serves its purpose". The Times of India. 6 January 2023.
  38. ↑ "Darling Krishna-Milana Nagaraj: ಲವ್ ಬರ್ಡ್ಸ್ ಚಿತ್ರದಲ್ಲಿ ಪಳ ಪಳ ಹಾಡು!". News18 Kannada. 2 February 2023. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
  39. ↑ "Love Birds Movie Review: A mature take on the highs and lows of marriage". The New Indian Express. 7 February 2023. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  40. ↑ "Love Birds Movie Review: Love Birds is a warm take on what comes after happily ever after". The Times of India. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
  41. ↑ "Milana Nagaraj reunites with Krishna for Kousalya Supraja Rama". The New Indian Express. 11 July 2023. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  42. ↑ "Kousalya Supraja Rama movie review: An engaging take on the perils of male ego". The Hindu. 28 July 2023. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  43. ↑ "69th Sobha Filmfare Awards South 2024: Sapta Sagaradaache Ello Leads With Nine Nominations In Kannada". Times Now. 16 July 2024. Archived from the original on 8 September 2024. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  44. ↑ Hungama, Bollywood (31 January 2024). "After a record 2022, Kannada cinema saw a STEEP decline in box office numbers in 2023; not a SINGLE film crossed even the Rs. 70 cr. mark; footfalls down from 8.1 cr. to 3.2 cr" . Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  45. ↑ "Exclusive - Milana Nagaraj joins For Regn opposite Pruthvi Ambaar". Cinema Express. 9 October 2020. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  46. ↑ m. v, Vivek (23 February 2024). "For Regn movie review: Milana Nagaraj, Pruthvi Ambaar are wasted in a shallow relationship drama". The Hindu. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  47. ↑ "'Aaram Aravinda Swamy' to bring a whirlwind of emotions, action, and fun". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  48. ↑ "Aaram Arvind Swamy movie review: Finding a beginning at the end of a relationshi". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  49. ↑ "Kannada Highest Grossing Movies 2024: ಈ ವರ್ಷ ತೆರೆಕಂಡ ಪ್ರಮುಖ ಕನ್ನಡ ಸಿನಿಮಾಗಳು ಮತ್ತು ಅವುಗಳ ಕಲೆಕ್ಷನ್‌ ವಿವರ ಇಲ್ಲಿದೆ". Times Now Kannada (in Kannada). 8 December 2024. Retrieved 11 February 2025.
  50. ↑ "Real life couple Krishna and Milana open up on working together for 'Love Mocktail'". The News Minute. Archived from the original on 5 April 2020. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  51. ↑ Padmashree Bhat. "ವೈವಾಹಿಕ ಜೀವನಕ್ಕೆ ಕಾಲಿಟ್ಟ ನಟ ಡಾರ್ಲಿಂಗ್ ಕೃಷ್ಣ, ಮಿಲನಾ ನಾಗರಾಜ್!". Vijay Karnataka. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  52. ↑ "KrissMi Wedding: Kannada stars Darling Krishna and Milana Nagaraj tie the knot!". The Times of India. Retrieved 14 February 2021.
  53. ↑ "Love Mocktail stars Milana Nagaraj and Darling Krishna blessed with a baby girl". Cinema Express. September 2024. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
  54. ↑ "Darling Krishna, Milana Nagaraj 'had a strong feeling' that they would have a daughter". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
  55. ↑ "Rom-Coms provide scope for actresses to perform: Milana Nagaraj". Film Companion. 7 February 2024. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
  56. ↑ "Milana Nagaraj interview: On pregnancy, returning to films and hunt for strong roles". The Hindu. 19 November 2024. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  57. ↑ "Meet the Bangalore Times Top 25 Most Desirable Women 2013". The Times of India. 24 June 2014. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
  58. ↑ "Meet the beautiful ladies who make up Bangalore Times' 30 Most Desirable Women of 2020". The Times of India. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
  59. ↑ "Rukimini Vasanth to Milana Nagaraj, 5 Kannada actress who raised the acting bar in 2023". News18 India. 13 December 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  60. ↑ "Radhika Pandit to Milana Nagaraj: The most followed Kannada actresses on Instagram". News18 India. 6 July 2023. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
  61. ↑ "Nam Duniya Nam Style: Fun with friends". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 18 December 2014. Retrieved 6 September 2013.
  62. ↑ "Kichcha Sudeep's action thriller 'Vikrant Rona' to release on OTT soon". ZEE5. 26 August 2022. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  63. ↑ Lokesh, Vinay. "Darling Krishna teams up with Nimika Ratnakar for his next". The Times of India. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
  64. ↑ "FIRST LOOK OUT: Milana Nagaraj looks Elegant, focused and independent". The Times of India. 9 January 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
  65. ↑ "Pruthvi Ambaar and Milana Nagaraj play Ashu and Anvi in the love story 'For Regn'". The Times of India. 4 April 2022. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  66. ↑ "Milana Nagaraj to star alongside Anissh in Aaram Aravind Swamy". The New Indian Express. 2 January 2023. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
  67. ↑ "I was back on a film set two months after giving birth: Milana Nagaraj". The Times of India. 5 February 2025. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
  68. ↑ "Team 'Love Mocktail 2' sets up a valentine's date with fans". The Times of India. 12 December 2021.
  69. ↑ "61st Filmfare Awards (South) Complete Winners List". Filmfare. 13 July 2014. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  70. ↑ "Chandanavana Film Critics Academy Awards: Love Mocktail, Dia, Gentleman Dominate". CFCA Academy. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
  71. ↑ Ravali Hymavathi (18 September 2021). "SIIMA Awards 2020 & 2021: Check Out The Nominations, Ceremony Date And Time Of This Most Awaited Gala Event". The Hans India. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  72. ↑ "Winners of the Filmfare Awards South 2022". Filmfare. 9 October 2022. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  73. ↑ "Chittara Star Awards 2022 Winners". Chittara Star Awards. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
  74. ↑ K., Janani (2 August 2023). "SIIMA 2023 nomination out. 'PS 1', 'RRR', 'KGF 2' and 'Kantara' bag top spots". India Today. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  75. ↑ "CFC Academy Awards 2024: ಚಂದನವನ ಫಿಲ್ಮ್ ಕ್ರಿಟಿಕ್ಸ್ ಅವಾರ್ಡ್‌ ನಾಮನಿರ್ದೇಶನ; ಇಲ್ಲೂ ದರ್ಶನ್‌ 'ಕಾಟೇರ'ನೇ ಮುಂದು, ಹೀಗಿದೆ ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣ ನಾಮಿನೇಷನ್‌ ಲಿಸ್ಟ್‌". Hindustan Times Kannada. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  76. ↑ "Nominations for the 69th Filmfare Awards (Kannada) 2024". Filmfare. 16 July 2024. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  77. ↑ "Chittara Star Awards 2024 Winners". Chittara Star Awards. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  78. ↑ "Karnataka State Film Awards 2019: Sudeep, Anupama Gowda adjudged best actors". The Hindu. 22 January 2025. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
  79. ↑ "Chittara Star Awards 2025 Nominations". Chittara Star Awards. Retrieved 21 January 2025.
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