Shruti (actress)

S. Mahendar

​

​

(m. 1998;div. 2009)​

Chakravarthy Chandrachud

​

​

(m. 2013;div. 2014)​

Shruti
Shruti in 2016
Chairperson, Karnataka Women’s Development Corporation
In office 2008 –June 2009
Relatives	Sharan (brother)
Occupation	Actress politician

Shruti (born Girija; 18 September 1975), is an Indian actress, television personality and politician. She is known for her work predominantly in Kannada language films and in a few Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Hindi and Tulu films. She has appeared in more than 160 films, out of which she has been cast in leading role in over 130 films. More than half of the movies are female-oriented, thereby making her one of the very few actresses in Indian cinema to have been successfully cast in more number of heroine oriented movies. She has won three Karnataka State Film Awards, one Tamil Nadu State Film Awards and four Filmfare Awards South in her illustrious career spanning over 35 years. She is considered one of the most successful and legendary actresses of Kannada cinema and film critics often position her in line with the legendary Kalpana, Manjula and Aarathi. She is fondly called as Kannadada Manemagalu, Kannera Rani (Queen of Tears), Emotional Queen, Karpoorada Gombe and Punching Queen (in Television).

Shruti was among the leading actresses in Kannada cinema during the 1990s and early 2000s who featured in the lead roles in several commercially successful, female centric and critically acclaimed films such as Shruthi (1990), Muddina Maava (1993), Aagatha (1995), Karpoorada Gombe , Kalki (both 1996), Gowdru (2004), Rama Shama Bhama (2005), Akka Thangi (2008) and Puttakkana Highway (2011). In the later years, she switched to character roles and won laurels for her performances in Kalpana (2012), Gombegala Love (2013), Rathnan Prapancha , Bhajarangi 2 (both 2021), Kaatera (2023) and Maadeva (2025). She is the only actress in Kannada cinema to have been portrayed successfully in all sorts of roles such as the emotional roles, comedy roles and villain. She is the only actress in Kannada cinema (perhaps in the entire Indian cinema) to have been recognised as "Manemagalu". People consider her more of a girl next door rather than as a superstar actress.

Shruti is the sister of actor Sharan. In 2016, she won the third season of the reality television show Bigg Boss Kannada. ^[1] She has continued to appear in Television as a judge for reality shows such as Majaa Talkies and Kwaatle Kitchen.

Shruti joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2008. She was made the chairperson of the Karnataka Women and Child Development Corporation before being removed in 2009. In 2013, she joined the Karnataka Janata Paksha which eventually merged in 2014 with BJP. She also served as chief secretary of Bharatiya Janata Party's women's wing in its Karnataka cadre. In 2020, she was appointed as the Chairperson of Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation.

Early life

Shruti was born as Girija on 18 September 1975 into a family of Kannada theatre artists in Hassan, Karnataka, India. Her father J. V. Krishna owned a theatre company and married twin sisters Radha and Rukmini who had joined his troupe as artists. Shruti's elder brother Sharan is a leading actor in Kannada cinema, while her sister Usha is younger to her. Since they have two mothers, the subject about who is their biological mother has generated curiosity among the media and public over the years. However, both Sharan and Shruti have asserted that they consider both to be their biological mother. ^[2] Shruti spent most of her early life in Puttur where she pursued her basic schooling.

Career

Films

1990-2000: Debut and breakthrough

Shruti in 2011 Kannada film Sri Naga Shakthi

At the age of 14, Shruti landed in her first film in a supporting role in S. Umesh's romantic comedy film, Nambidre Nambi Bitre Bidi, released in 1990. She was credited as Priyadarshini by the makers so as not to be confused with another actress Girija Lokesh. Her next role came through another comedy film, Aasegobba Meesegobba released in the same year where she played sister to actor Shiva Rajkumar. However, her breakthrough came in the same year with the film Shruthi , which was directed by Dwarakish who rechristened her name as Shruti. ^[3] She played the titular role of a struggling singer who is aided by four men to achieve her dreams. The film, which was a remake of Tamil film, Pudhu Vasantham , had a successful theatrical run of over 25 weeks.

Following this, Shruti featured in a series of comedy films out of which Gauri Ganesha , Punda Prachanda (both 1991), Bombat Hendthi , Edurmaneli Ganda Pakkadmaneli Hendthi (both 1992) were successful projects. She expanded into Tamil and Telugu cinema in 1992 with Devar Veettu Ponnu and Pellaniki Premalekha Priyuraliki Subhalekha respectively. She followed this by playing second lead roles in films such as C. B. I. Shiva , Sindhoora Thilaka , Shambhavi, Ksheera Sagara and Dakshayini. She later took up family drama films such as Alimayya , Sri Durga Pooje, Midida Hrudayagalu and Muddina Maava , all released in 1993.

In 1994, she appeared in two films opposite V. Ravichandran, Rasika , directed by Dwarakish, and Jaana . Her other notable performance came through Rashmi in the same year. She went on to win her first Filmfare Award for her performance in the drama film, Hettha Karulu. In 1995, She won her first Karnakata State Film Award and second Filmfare Award for her critically acclaimed role in Aagatha , directed by Suresh Heblikar. During the same period, she shared screen with actor Vishnuvardhan in films such as Time Bomb (1994), Thumbida Mane and Mojugara Sogasugara (both 1995).

In 1996, Shruti worked with K. Balachander for the Tamil film Kalki , where she played the lead titular role alongside Rahman, Prakash Raj and Geetha. ^[4] Her performance in the film was critically acclaimed, earning her the Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil and the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress. In Kannada, she had seven releases out of which Karpoorada Gombe and Thavarina Thottilu made an impact with the audience. She was typecasted in tear-jerker films during this period earning her the "Tragedy queen" status in Kannada cinema. In 1997, she expanded into Malayalam cinema with the Sathyan Anthikkad film Oral Mathram opposite Mammootty and continued with Rajasenan's romantic comedy film Kottaram Veettile Apputtan (1998) opposite Jayaram. Both these films were successful at the box-office and her roles were critically acclaimed.

2001-2020: Lead and character roles

(L–R) Shruti in an interview in 2016, 2023

Shruti continued to work with Vishnuvardhan in films such as Veerappa Nayaka (1999) and Soorappa (2000) which were blockbusters. In 2001, she teamed up with her then husband S. Mahendar by starring opposite him in Gattimela. Her performance was well received and earned her a nomination at the Filmfare Awards. After few unsuccessful projects, she appeared in Gowdru (2004) which turned out to be her 100th release in which she played the sister of the character played by Ambareesh. ^[5] Her performance won laurels and earned her the second Karnataka State Film Award. IN 2005, she starred opposite Kamal Hassan in the multi-starrer Rama Shama Bhama , a remake of Tamil hit, Sathi Leelavathi (1995). Her performance was acclaimed; earning nominations at the various film awards including Filmfare. Her last pairing with Vishnuvardhan, before his demise, came through the film Sirivantha in 2006.

Navashakthi Vaibhava , filmed in 2003, had a delayed release in 2008. ^{[6] [7]} In 2011, Shruti's biggest critical acclaimed role came through Nagathihalli Chandrashekar's novel based film Puttakkana Highway directed by B. Suresha. She played the lead role of Puttakka, a widowed farmer who fights against the system when her land is threatened by construction. A critic from The Times of India reviewed the film by commenting "Hats off to Shruthi for her brilliant portrayal of Puttakka, a rustic woman. ^[8] The film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada for the year 2010–2011 ^[9] and Shruti earned several award nominations for her portrayal of the character.

From 2012, Shruti switched over from lead to character roles in films such as Rambo and the comedy-horror Kalpana . The latter won her several laurels and appreciations including a nomination at Udaya Film Awards and Suvarna Film Awards. In 2013, the films Gombegala Love and Bachchan were noted for her performances. Later she featured in Dandupalya film series in its second and third instalments. She took up lead actor's mother roles in films such as College Kumar (2017), Rathnan Prapancha (2021) and later in Krishnam Pranaya Sakhi (2024).

2021-till date: Continued supporting roles

Her character role Alamelamma brought her laurels in the Shiva Rajkumar starrer Bhajarangi 2 in 2021. In 2023, she was noticed again for her character role in Darshan starrer Kaatera which earned her a nomination at Filmfare Award for supporting actress. In Vidhi (Article) 370, set in the backdrop of terror activities in Jammu and Kashmir, her first release of 2023, Shruti played Preethi, the wife of an army officer who needs a heart transplant. ^[10] In Veeram , she played Saraswathi, the protective sister of the protagonist played by Prajwal Devaraj. The reviewer for Cinema Express wrote: "Shruti's role brings that emotional connection among siblings and all the sentiment is brought through her." ^[11]

In 2025, she was part of an ensemble cast in the film Maadeva where her performance as Kamalakshi stood out. ^[12] She was also seen in commercially successful film Ekka and later in Just Married .

Television

Shruti made her small screen debut in the Malayalam serial Sthreethvam aired on Surya TV during 2005. Also, her Tamil daily serial, Karthigai Pengal aired on Sun TV from July 2012. Shruti was a contestant in the reality television show Bigg Boss Kannada 3, winning the season, in January 2016. ^[13] In 2017, she appeared as a judge in the comedy television series Majaa Bharatha. ^[14] In 2025, she appeared as a judge in the comedy cookery show Kwaatle Kitchen aired in Colors Kannada.

Personal life

Shruti was married to film director S. Mahendar for 11 years and they divorced in 2009.^{[ citation needed ]} Post her divorce she was linked with Chakravarthy Chandrachud, a journalist-turned-director. They got married in June 2013 and divorced a year later. ^[15]

Filmography

Kannada films

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1990	Nambidre Nambi Bitre Bidi		Credited as Priyadarshini
	Aasegobba Meesegobba	Radha
	Shruthi	Shruthi
1991	Gauri Ganesha	Gauri
	Nagu Nagutha Nali
	Punda Prachanda
	C. B. I. Shiva	Shruthi
1992	Sindhoora Thilaka
	Bombat Hendthi
	Chitralekha
	Edurmaneli Ganda Pakkadmaneli Hendthi	Jayakumari
	Shambhavi
	Ksheera Sagara	Chandra
1993	Abhijith
	Kaadambari
	Alimayya	Lakshmi
	Dakshayini
	Sri Durga Pooje
	Mouna Sangrama
	Ranjitha
	Kempaiah IPS
	Rupaayi Raja
	Midida Hrudayagalu	Kaveri
	Muddina Maava	Lakshmi
	Amruta Sindhu
1994	Apoorva Samsara	Raji
	Rashmi	Rashmi
	Rasika	Rukmini
	Jaana	Lakshmi
	Vijaya Kankana	Vijaya
	Sammilana
	Bhuvaneshwari
	Mr. Mahesh Kumar	Soumya
	Hettha Karulu		Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Kannada
	Time Bomb	Maala
1995	Thumbida Mane	Kaveri
	Maangalya Sakshi
	Kalyanotsava
	Mojugara Sogasugara	Shantha
	Shubha Lagna
	Urvashi
	Satya Jwale
	Taayi Illada Tavaru
	Aagatha	Usha	Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Kannada
1996	Karpoorada Gombe	Seetha
	Thavarina Thottilu
	Geluvina Saradara
	Sthree	Heera
	Sowbhagya Devathe
	Minugu Thare
	Thayi Kotta Seere
1997	Taaliya Sowbhagya
	Shruthi Hakida Hejje
	Baalina Daari
	Kodagina Kaveri	Kaveri
	Thavarina Theru
1998	Bhama Satyabhama	Bhama
	Marthanda
	Nammura Huduga
	Goonda Mattu Police
	Jagadeeshwari
	Tavarina Kanike
1999	Veerappa Nayaka
	Durga Shakthi
2000	Soorappa	Lakshmi
	Kadlimatti Station Master	Kashibai
	Mahathma
	Swalpa Adjust Madkolli
2001	Amma Ninna Tholinalli
	Gattimela	Girija	Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Kannada
	Jenu Goodu
	Mahalakshmi	Mahalakshmi
	Ellara Mane Dosenu	Vasantha
2002	Annayya Thammayya
	Mutthu	Gowri	[16]
	Manase O Manase		[ citation needed ]
2004	Hendthi Andre Hendthi
	Gowdru	Gowri	Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress; Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Kannada
2005	Rama Shama Bhama	Shanti	Vatika Chalana Chitra Award for Best Comedian; Nominated—Udaya film Award for Best Comedian; Nominated—Udaya Film Award Best Supporting Actress; Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Kannada
	Pandu Ranga Vittala
2006	Sirivantha	Lakshmi
	Hendathi Kattida Thali		Delayed release
2008	Navashakti Vaibhava	Saubhagya
	Avva	Aane Baddi Rangavva
	Nandadeepa
	Akka Thangi	Nagi
2011	Sri Naga Shakthi
	Puttakkana Highway	Puttakka	Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Kannada Nominated—TV9 Film Award for Best Supporting Actress - Kannada; Nominated—Innovative Award for Best Supporting Actress - Kannada; Nominated—Sandalwood Star Award for Best Supporting Actress; Nominated—Udaya Film Awards for Best Supporting Actress; Nominated—Suvarna Film Awards for Best Supporting Actress
	Aidondla Aidu
2012	Sri Kshetra Adichunchanagiri
	Rambo	Vijayalakshmi
	Kalpana	Janaki	Nominated—Sandalwood Star Award for Best Comedian; Nominated—Udaya Film Award for Best Comedian; Nominated—Suvarna Film Award for Best Comedian; Nominated—Udaya Film Award for Best Supporting Actress; Nominated—Suvarna Film Award for Best Supporting Actress
2013	Gombegala Love	Panju's mother	Karnataka Vanijya Mandali Award for Best Supporting Actress
	Bachchan	Lakshmi
2015	Ond Chance Kodi	Tavare
2016	Shivayogi Sri Puttayyajja
	1944	Girija
	Home Stay
2017	Marali Manege
	Dandupalya 2	Abhivyakthi
	College Kumar	Girija
2018	Dandupalya 3	Abhivyakthi
2020	ACT 1978	Kanika Mehta
2021	Mohandas	Putlibai
	Rathnan Prapancha	Yellavva
	Bhajarangi 2	Alamelamma
2023	Vidhi (Article) 370	Preethi
	Veeram	Saraswathi
	Tatsama Tadbhava	Suman
	13 Part-1	Saira
2023	Kaatera	Kumari	Nominated- Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress- Kannada [17] Won - Best Supporting Actress - Chittara Star Awards 2024 Won - Best Supporting Actress - IIFA Utsavam 2024
2024	Krishnam Pranaya Sakhi	Krishna's mother
2025	Maadeva	Kamalakshi
	Ekka	Ratna
	Just Married	Gangamma

Other language films

Year	Title	Role	Language	Notes
1992	Thevar Veettu Ponnu	Saroja	Tamil	Credited as Priyadarshini
	Pellaniki Premalekha Priyuraliki Subhalekha	Keerthi	Telugu
1994	Parugo Parugu	Saroja	Telugu
1996	Kalki	Kalki	Tamil	Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil
1997	Oral Mathram	Devika Menon	Malayalam
1998	Kottaram Veettile Apputtan	Ambili
	Bobbili Vamsham		Telugu
1999	Annan Thangachi	Sarasu	Tamil
2004	C. I. Mahadevan 5 Adi 4 Inchu	Dr. Lakshmi	Malayalam

Television

• All shows are in Kannada, unless otherwise noted.

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Ref.
2005	Sthreetvam		Malayalam series
2012–2013	Karthigai Pengal	Charu	Tamil series	[ citation needed ]
2015	Super Minute	Contestant
2015–2016	Bigg Boss Kannada (season 3)	Contestant	Winner
2017	Majaa Bharatha	Judge		[18]
2017	Weekend with Ramesh	Herself		[ citation needed ]
2017	Sathya Kathe	Herself		[19]
2020	Majaa Talkies	Guest		[20]
	Mareyalare
	Hejje Guruthu
2022–2023	Gicchi GiliGili	Judge		[21]
2023	Bigg Boss Kannada (season 10)	Guest
2025	Kwaatle Kitchen	Judge

References

1. "Actress Shruthi wins Bigg Boss Kannada season 3". Daily News and Analysis. 31 January 2016. Archived from the original on 2 November 2016. Retrieved 13 March 2017.
2. "MothersDay: "I am blessed to have the love and affection of not one but two mothers," says actor Sharan in an exclusive chat". The Times of India. 9 March 2021.
3. "Girija was named Shruti by the actor director Dwarakish". Filmibeat.com. 18 September 2021.
4. "K Balachander birth anniversary: 10 heroines who bear the mark of the Sui generis filmmaker". Cinema Express.com. 9 July 2019.
5. Deepak, S. N. (18 July 2004). "Gowdru". Deccan Herald. Archived from the original on 25 August 2004. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
6. "Shruthi's 100th film". Deccan Herald. 16 November 2003. Archived from the original on 3 March 2006. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
7. "Navashakthi Vaibhava". Sify . Archived from the original on 6 December 2015. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
8. "PUTTAKKANA HIGHWAY MOVIE REVIEW". The Times of India . 14 May 2016.
9. "On my pinboard - Prakash Raj". Deccan Herald. 5 October 2016.
10. Reddy, Y. Maheswara (27 February 2023). "Vidhi (Article) 370 Movie Review: Too happening, but nothing happens". Bangalore Mirror. Archived from the original on 4 June 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
11. Sharadhaa, A. (10 April 2023). "Veeram Movie Review: This run-of-the-mill actioner brings back Prajwal Devaraj in a mass avatar". Cinema Express . Archived from the original on 4 June 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
12. "Maadeva Movie Review: A Gritty Old-School Action Drama That Demands a Strong Stomach". The Times of India. 6 June 2025.
13. "Shruthi wins Bigg Boss!". The Times of India. 24 January 2017. Archived from the original on 8 July 2018. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
14. "Shruthi, Narayan turns judge for Majaa Bharatha". The Times of India. 6 February 2017. Archived from the original on 6 July 2018. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
15. "Kannada star Shruthi marries at Kollur Temple". Archived from the original on 29 March 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2013.
16. Moviebiz. "Review: Muthu". Sify . Archived from the original on 11 January 2005. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
17. Sharadhaa, A (29 December 2023). "'Kaatera' movie review: Darshan wields his finest weapon yet". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 31 December 2023. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
18. "Shruthi, Narayan turns judge for Majaa Bharatha". The Times of India. 6 February 2017. Archived from the original on 23 July 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
19. "Shruti to host new show Sathya Kathe". The Times of India. 5 July 2017. Archived from the original on 4 June 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
20. "Yesteryears stars Sudha Rani and Shruthi to feature in Majaa Talkies". The Times of India. 19 September 2020. Archived from the original on 4 October 2023. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
21. "Gicchi Gili Gili: Contestants gear up for the grand finale". The Times of India. 2 June 2023. Archived from the original on 4 June 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2023.

External links

• Shruti at IMDb
• Sruthi at MSI

Preceded by Akul Balaji (2014)

Bigg Boss Kannada Winner (Series 3) 2015

Succeeded by Pratham (2016)