Balaji Manohar
| Balaji Manohar | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1 January 1989 Bengaluru, Karnataka, India |
| 🏳️ Nationality | Indian |
| 💼 Occupation | Actor, cinematographer, audiobook narrator |
| 📆 Years active | 2005–present |
Balaji Manohar (born 1 January 1989) is an Indian actor, cinematographer, and audiobook narrator known for his work in Kannada and Hindi cinema. He debuted as Mohammed in the Hindi film Iqbal (2005) and gained prominence in Kannada cinema with roles in Lucia (2013), Churikatte (2018), for which he won the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actor, and the cult hit Avane Srimannarayana (2019). In 2025, he portrayed Mhaloji Bhosale in the Bollywood biopic Chhaava. Manohar has also shot films as a cinematographer and narrated Kannada audiobooks, including Sakina's Kiss and Ghachar Ghochar.[1][2][3]
Early life and education
Balaji Manohar was born on 1 January 1989 in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.[4] Growing up, he was drawn to theatre and participated in local productions. He earned an MFA in Film Production from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts (2011–2014), where he honed his skills in acting and cinematography, winning the Kodak Cinematography Gold Scholarship for his short film The Little Master (2014).[5][6]
Career
Manohar made his acting debut as Mohammed, a cricket team captain, in Nagesh Kukunoor's Hindi film Iqbal (2005), which was a commercial success, grossing over ₹20 crore.[7] He returned to Kannada cinema with a supporting role in Pawan Kumar's critically acclaimed psychological thriller Lucia (2013), which gained a cult following.[8] His performance in Churikatte (2018) earned him the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actor.[9]
In Avane Srimannarayana (2019), directed by Sachin Ravi, Manohar played a supporting role alongside Rakshit Shetty, earning praise for his versatility at the Bengaluru International Film Festival (BIFFes).[10] He also appeared in the neo-noir thriller Arishadvarga (2020), which was lauded at film festivals for its complex narrative.[11] His role in the action thriller Mahira (2019) further showcased his range in Kannada cinema.[12]
In 2025, Manohar returned to Bollywood as Mhaloji Bhosale in the biopic Chhaava, opposite Vicky Kaushal, highlighting the growing opportunities for South Indian actors in Hindi cinema.[13] He is set to star in upcoming films including Ramarasa with Sharan, the bilingual Kannada-Malayalam thriller Tatsama Tadbhava, and Yash's pan-India action film Toxic.[14][15][16]
As a cinematographer, Manohar worked on the Kannada feature Harikatha Prasanga (2016) and short films like The House (2013) and The Little Master (2014), the latter earning him the Kodak Cinematography Gold Scholarship.[17] He has narrated Kannada audiobooks for Storytel, including Sakina's Kiss and Ghachar Ghochar, contributing to the growing popularity of regional audiobooks.[18]
Filmography
Acting
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Iqbal | Mohammed | Hindi film; commercial success |
| 2013 | Lucia | Supporting role | Kannada psychological thriller |
| 2018 | Churikatte | Supporting role | Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actor |
| 2019 | Mahira | Supporting role | Kannada action thriller |
| 2019 | Avane Srimannarayana | Supporting role | Kannada period adventure |
| 2020 | Arishadvarga | Supporting role | Kannada neo-noir thriller |
| 2025 | Chhaava | Mhaloji Bhosale | Hindi biopic |
| 2025 | Ramarasa | TBA | Kannada film; upcoming |
| 2025 | Tatsama Tadbhava | TBA | Kannada-Malayalam bilingual; upcoming |
| 2025 | Toxic | TBA | Kannada pan-India film; upcoming |
Cinematography
| Year | Film | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | The House | Short film |
| 2014 | The Little Master | Short film; Kodak Cinematography Gold Scholarship |
| 2016 | Harikatha Prasanga | Kannada feature film |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Kodak Cinematography Gold Scholarship | Student Cinematography | The Little Master | Won |
| 2018 | Karnataka State Film Award | Best Supporting Actor | Churikatte | Won |
References
- ↑ "Balaji Manohar: The actor who is making waves in Bollywood". The Times of India. 7 April 2024. Retrieved 18 October 2025.
- ↑ "Balaji Manohar wins Karnataka State Award for Churikatte". Filmibeat. 15 March 2019. Retrieved 18 October 2025.
- ↑ "Kannada audiobooks gain traction". The Hindu. 10 October 2023. Retrieved 18 October 2025.
- ↑ "Churikatte actor Balaji Manohar wins state award". Prajavani. 20 March 2019. Retrieved 18 October 2025.
- ↑ "Balaji Manohar on his cinematic journey". Deccan Herald. 10 January 2024. Retrieved 18 October 2025.
- ↑ "Kodak Scholarship Winners 2014". Kodak. Retrieved 18 October 2025.
- ↑ "Balaji Manohar: The actor who is making waves in Bollywood". The Times of India. 7 April 2024. Retrieved 18 October 2025.
- ↑ "Lucia: A Kannada film that redefined storytelling". The Hindu. 15 September 2021. Retrieved 18 October 2025.
- ↑ "Churikatte actor Balaji Manohar wins state award". Prajavani. 20 March 2019. Retrieved 18 October 2025.
- ↑ "Biffes 2020: Rakshit Shetty is a thorough professional". Deccan Herald. 1 March 2020. Retrieved 18 October 2025.
- ↑ "Arishadvarga Movie Review". The News Minute. 27 November 2020. Retrieved 18 October 2025.
- ↑ "Mahira: A gritty Kannada thriller". OTTplay. 10 July 2019. Retrieved 18 October 2025.
- ↑ "Balaji Manohar acted as Mhaloji in Chhaava". News18 Kannada. 15 February 2025. Retrieved 18 October 2025.
- ↑ "Ramarasa to feature Sharan". The New Indian Express. 6 February 2025. Retrieved 18 October 2025.
- ↑ "Actor Meghana introduces characters in Tatsama Tadbhava". The News Minute. 15 March 2023. Retrieved 18 October 2025.
- ↑ "Balaji Manohar joins Yash in Toxic". IndiaGlitz. 10 September 2025. Retrieved 18 October 2025.
- ↑ "Kodak Scholarship Winners 2014". Kodak. Retrieved 18 October 2025.
- ↑ "Kannada audiobooks gain traction". The Hindu. 10 October 2023. Retrieved 18 October 2025.
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