Milana Nagaraj | |
---|---|
Born | 25 April [1] |
Alma mater | Vivekananda Institute of Technology, Bengaluru |
Occupations |
|
Years active | 2013–present |
Spouse |
Milana Nagaraj (born 25 April) is an Indian actress who primarily works in Kannada films. Milana is a recipient of several accolades including a Filmfare Awards South and two South Indian International Movie Awards. [2] [3]
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 frequent co-actor Darling Krishna. [5]
Milana was born on 25 April 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]
Milana made her acting debut with the 2013 film Nam Duniya Nam Style opposite Likith Shetty. [10] Times of India noted "Milana Nagaraj excels with good expressions and dialogue delivery." [11] The same year, she portrayed Madhu opposite Darshan in Brindavana , a remake of Telugu film Brindavanam . [12] Times of India said that Milana "impresses" with her expressions. [13] In 2015, she portrayed Purvi in Charlie , opposite Krishna. [14]
Milana has two releases in 2017. She first made her Malayalam film debut with Avarude Raavukal opposite Vinay Forrt. [15] Deccan Chronicle stated, "Milana Nagaraj has done a neat job but seems like an afterthought." [16] She next portrayed Aishwarya in Jani opposite Vijay Raghavendra. [17] Times of India noted that Milana has "bare minimum to do". [18]
Milana made her film comeback, post a three year hiatus with the 2020 film Love Mocktail . [19] She portrayed Nidhima, software employee opposite Krishna. The New Indian Express stated, "A unique role for Milana Nagaraj, she shows maturity in her acting." [20] The News Minute noted, "Milana Nagaraj has a refreshing character and plays her part well. She must continue to pick roles that bring the best out of her." [21] The same year, she portrayed Spandana in Matte Udbhava opposite Panju. [22] Times of India mentioned that "Milana Nagaraj chips in with a good performance." [23]
Milana had three releases in 2022. She first reprised Nidhima in Love Mocktail 2 opposite Krishna. [24] Deccan Herald mentioned, "Milana's effort is a fine mix of understanding the character and bringing new layers to it." They even termed her "The soul of the franchise". [25] Times of India stated, "Milana looks ethereal in the film and adds a lot of entertainment." [26] She next portrayed Renu Rona opposite Sudeepa in Vikrant Rona . [27] Bollywood Hungama noted that, "Milana is nice in her cameo role." [28] She then portrayed Nikitha alongside Amrutha Iyengar in O(ಓ). [29] The New Indian Express stated, "Milana get to experiment with fresh characterisation and gives a strong performance." [30]
Milana also turned producer with these films. She has co-produced Love Mocktail (2020) and Love Mocktail 2 (2022). [31] She won SIIMA Award for Best Film – Kannada for the former. [32]
In 2023, she first portrayed Pallavi opposite Krishna in Mr. Bachelor. Cinema Express mentions that she delivers "a likeable performance". [33] She next portrayed a fashion designer in Love Birds opposite Krishna. [34] The New Indian Express said, "Milana gives a natural and poignant performance." While Times of India wrote, "Krishna and Milana impress with their performance as a couple that is very much in love, but are unable to see through their differences." [35] [36] In her third film of the year, Milana portrayed an alcoholic again opposite Krishna in Kousalya Supraja Rama . [37] The Hindu noted, "Milana’s portrayal of a drunkard is a tad over the top, but she performs with superb restraint in serious portions." [38]
In 2024, Milana appeared in For Regn opposite Pruthvi Ambaar. [39] She played Anvita, whose marriage is in trouble. 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." [40] Milana will next appear in Araam Aravind Swamy opposite Anish Tejeshwar and Abhishek Shetty.
Milana Nagaraj met actor Krishna, on the sets of the 2013 film Nam Duniya Nam Style . They eventually started dating in 2015. [41] Milana married Krishna on 14 February 2021, in a private traditional ceremony on the outskirts of Bengaluru. [42] [43]
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." [44] Milana was placed 17th in 2013 and 14th in 2020, in the Bangalore Times' Most Desirable Women list. [45] [46] 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. [47] Milana is one of the most followed Kannada actress on Instagram. [48]
† | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2013 | Nam Duniya Nam Style | Milana | [49] | |
Brindavana | Madhu | |||
2015 | Charlie | Purvi | ||
2017 | Avarude Raavukal | Meghna | Malayalam film | |
Jani | Aishwarya | |||
2020 | Love Mocktail | Nidhima "Niddhi" | ||
Matte Udbhava | Spandana | |||
2022 | Love Mocktail 2 | Nidhima "Nidhi" | ||
Vikrant Rona | Renu Rona | Cameo appearance | [50] | |
O | Nikitha | |||
2023 | Mr. Bachelor | Pallavi | [51] | |
Love Birds | Pooja | [52] | ||
Kousalya Supraja Rama | Mutthulakshmi | |||
2024 | For Regn | Anvita "Anvi" | [53] | |
Araam Aravind Swamy | TBA | Filming | [54] |
Year | Title | Role | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
2020 | Love Mocktail | Nidhima "Nidhi" | |
2022 | Love Mocktail 2 | [55] |
Year | Award | Category | Film | Result | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Supporting Actress – Kannada | Brindavana | Nominated | [56] |
2021 | Chandanavana Film Critics Academy Awards | Best Film | Love Mocktail | Nominated | [57] |
Best Actress | Nominated | ||||
South Indian International Movie Awards | Best Film – Kannada | Won | [58] | ||
Best Actress – Kannada | Won | ||||
2022 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Actress – Kannada | Nominated | [59] | |
Best Actress Critics – Kannada | Won | ||||
2024 | Chandanavana Film Critics Academy Awards | Best Actress | Kousalya Supraja Rama | Nominated | [60] |
The Filmfare Best Actress Award is given by the Filmfare magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards South for Kannada films (Sandalwood). The awards were extended to "Best Actress" in 1972. The year indicates the year of release of the film.
Brindavana is a 2013 Indian Kannada romantic comedy film starring Darshan, Milana Nagaraj and Karthika Nair and also featuring Saikumar and Sampath Raj. A remake of the 2010 Telugu film Brindavanam, it was directed by K Madesh and produced by Suresh Gowda for Sri Seethabaireshwara Productions. The soundtrack was composed by V. Harikrishna and the cinematography was by Ramesh Babu.
Nam Duniya Nam Style is a 2013 Indian Kannada adventure film, written, directed and produced by Preetham Gubbi. It stars Likith Shetty, Vinayak Joshi, Krishna, Sonia Gowda, Milana Nagaraj, Kavya Shetty.
Rachita Ram is an Indian actress who primarily works in Kannada films. After appearing in various television shows, Rachita made her film debut with the 2013 film, Bulbul, for which she received Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Kannada nomination. Rachita has won various awards including one Filmfare Award South and three SIIMA Awards.
Nagappa Sunil Kumar, known professionally as Darling Krishna, is an Indian actor who primarily works in Kannada films. He is a recipient of several accolades including a Filmfare Awards South and a South Indian International Movie Award.
Kavya Shetty is an Indian actress and model who primarily appears in Kannada films. She made her acting debut in 2013 with the Kannada film Nam Duniya Nam Style.
Vaishali Deepak is an Indian actress who has appeared in Kannada, Tamil and Telugu language films. After portraying her first lead role in Charlie (2015), she appeared in the Tamil film Tharkappu (2016).
Love Mocktail is a 2020 Indian Kannada-language romantic drama film directed and written by Darling Krishna in his directorial debut. The film was released on 31 January 2020. The film was produced by Krishna and Milana Nagaraj, who also star in the film alongside Amrutha Iyengar. The plot follows the story of Adhi on his quest to find true love.
Dia is a 2020 Indian Kannada-language romantic drama film written and directed by K. S. Ashoka, and produced by D Krishna Chaitanya under Sri Swarnalatha Productions. It stars Kushee Ravi, Pruthvi Ambaar and Dheekshith Shetty, with a score by B. Ajaneesh Loknath. It was released on 7 February 2020 and was a box office success. It was re-released in 2021.
Pruthvi Ambaar is an Indian actor who works in Kannada and Tulu films. He started his career as a radio jockey. His performance in the Kannada film Dia (2020) gained him recognition.
Amrutha Iyengar is an Indian actress who primarily appears in Kannada films. She is a recipient of two South Indian International Movie Awards along with two Filmfare Awards South nominations.
Rachel David is an Indian actress, who works in Malayalam and Kannada cinema. She is known for her role in Love Mocktail 2. She debuted in the 2019 Malayalam film Irupathiyonnaam Noottaandu alongside Pranav Mohanlal.
Love Mocktail 2 is a 2022 Indian Kannada-language romantic drama film written and directed by Darling Krishna, who produced the film with his wife Milana Nagaraj. Krishna and Milana also star, alongside Rachel David. The film serves as a sequel to Love Mocktail (2020). The plot follows the life of Adi who is coping with the death of his wife Nidhi and tries to move on.
Dear Dia is a 2022 Indian Hindi-language romantic drama film written and directed by K S Ashoka. A remake of his Kannada film Dia (2020), the film stars Mihika Kushwaha, Pruthvi Ambaar, and Ujjwal Sharma. Hindi version of Dia was produced by Kamlesh Singh Kushwaha. Dear Dia trailer was released on 10 May and film was released on 10 June 2022. Unlike the original, Hindi remake went unnoticed due to poor buzz and promotions.
Rachana Inder is an Indian actress who works mainly in Kannada film industry in addition to a few Telugu Films. She debuted as a supporting actress in the film Love Mocktail.
Sapthami Gowda is an Indian actress who works primarily in Kannada Cinema. She made her acting debut with the 2020 film Popcorn Monkey Tiger directed by Duniya Suri and is known for her role of Leela in Kantara, directed by Rishab Shetty in 2022.
Love Birds is a 2023 Indian Kannada-language romantic drama film directed by PC Shekhar and starring Darling Krishna and Milana Nagaraj.
Mr. Bachelor is a 2023 Indian Kannada-language romantic drama film directed by Naidu Bandaaru and starring Darling Krishna, Nimika Ratnakar, and Milana Nagaraj.
Kousalya Supraja Rama is a 2023 Kannada-language realistic drama film directed and produced by Shashank, written by Yadunandan. The film stars Darling Krishna, Brinda Acharya and Milana Nagaraj in the lead roles.
For Regn is a 2024 Indian Kannada-language romantic drama film written and directed by Naveen Dwarakanath, in his debut and produced by Naveen Rao. The film features Pruthvi Ambaar and Milana Nagaraj in the lead roles. The film's score is by Nakul Abhyankar and soundtrack is composed by R. K. Harish. To enhance the visual experience, the film's team used Mocobot camera to shoot few scenes and an underwater shot song choreographed by Imran Sardhariya.
I participated in Miss Karnataka contest and was adjudged winner of Miss Best Personality