Gurumurthy (Kannada: ಗುರುನಂದನ್), credited as Gurunandan, is an Indian film and television actor working in Kannada cinema. After having worked in small roles in television series, he rose to fame with the popular series Lakumi aired on the Asianet Suvarna.[1] Following this, he made his big screen lead debut with Cyber Yugadol Nava Yuva Madhura Prema Kavyam (2014). His breakthrough came with his second film in a lead role, First Rank Raju (2015) for which he received both critical acclaim and commercial success.[2]
Gurunandan | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Gurumurthy 30 December 1989 |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Other names | Raju, Rank Star |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, Model |
| Years active | 2011–present |
Early life
editGurunandan was born as Gurumurthy in Mudigere, Chikkamagaluru District, Karnataka. After completing his 8th grade in school, he ran away from his home to Bangalore to try his luck in cinema.[3]
He graduated from Mangalore University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2010. Gurunandan hails from a coffee planters' family.
Career
editGurunandan made his debut in mainstream cinema with the experimental romantic film Cyber Yugadol Nava Yuva Madhura Prema Kavyam, where he starred opposite Shwetha Srivatsav.[4] His performance was well-received, earning him a nomination for the SIIMA Best Male Debut Award. However, the film underperformed at the box office.
Gurunandan gained widespread recognition with the 2015 comedy-drama First Rank Raju, where he played the titular role of Raju. The film was both a critical and commercial success, establishing him as a promising actor in Kannada cinema.[5]
Over the years, Gurunandan has showcased his versatility by taking on diverse roles in films such as Chiravada Nenapu (2016), Smile Please (2017), and Raju Kannada Medium (2018). His 2019 film Missing Boy saw him portray the emotionally layered character of Nishchay Jagdish.
In 2025, Gurunandan is set to appear in three highly anticipated films: Forest as Sunil, Raju James Bond as Raju, and Mr. Jack as Janakirama. He is also part of the upcoming romantic drama Happy Ending, where he plays the character Vasu, with the release date yet to be announced.
Filmography
edit| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Cyber Yugadol Nava Yuva Madhura Prema Kavyam | Jayantha | Nominated - SIIMA Best Male Debut Award |
| 2015 | Charlie | Himself | Guest appearance |
| First Rank Raju | Raju | ||
| 2016 | Chiravada Nenapu | Raj | |
| John Jani Janardhan | Himself | Guest appearance | |
| 2017 | Smile Please | Manamohan/Manu | |
| 2018 | Raju Kannada Medium | Raju | |
| 2019 | Missing Boy | Nishchay Jagdish | |
| 2025 | Forest | Sunil | |
| 2025 | Raju James Bond[6] | Raju | |
| 2025 | Mr. Jack[7] | Janakirama | |
| TBD | Happy Ending[8] | Vasu | Release date TBD |
References
edit- ^ "From serial to Sandalwood". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 19 September 2016. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
- ^ "FIRST RANK in second attempt!". Deccan Chronicle. 23 December 2015. Archived from the original on 24 December 2015. Retrieved 13 March 2015.
- ^ "This Kannada actor ran away from home in class 8". Times of India. 24 November 2015. Archived from the original on 27 November 2015. Retrieved 13 March 2015.
- ^ "Review: 'CYNMPK' - a bad experiment". Zee News. 23 September 2012. Archived from the original on 30 November 2024. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
- ^ Joy, Pratibha (19 November 2015). "Who is the hero of First Rank Raju?". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 11 January 2016. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
- ^ "Raju James Bond Movie (2025): Release Date, Cast, Ott, Review, Trailer, Story, Box Office Collection – Filmibeat". www.filmibeat.com. Archived from the original on 27 December 2021. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
- ^ Sharadhaa, A. (4 January 2025). "Guru Nandan to play a stand-up comedian in Mr Jack". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 8 January 2025. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
- ^ "Hariprriya to star in Gurunandan's next?". 30 August 2019. Archived from the original on 30 November 2024. Retrieved 16 February 2025 – via The Economic Times - The Times of India.