Honnasandra Narasimhaiah Chandrashekar, better known as Mukhyamantri Chandru, is an Indian actor and politician. He mostly worked in the Kannada film industry. He is best known for playing the role of the Chief Minister in the Kannada drama, “Mukhyamantri.” He is a member of the Indian National Congress.
Wiki/Biography
Mukhyamantri Chandru was born on Friday, 28 August 1953 (age 67 years; as in 2020) in Honnasandra, Nelamangala, Bangalore Rural, Mysore. His zodiac sign is Virgo. He did his schooling from Siddaganga Matha Tumkur and went to Bangalore Government College of Arts and Science to pursue his studies in Science. While in college, Chandru used to watch a play at Ravindra Kalakshetra, and from there, he developed an interest in acting. After completing his studies, Chandru worked as a clerk at Bangalore University. At the same time, he was involved in the theater.
Physical appearance
Height (approx): 5′ 6″
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Black
Family & Caste
Mukhyamantri Chandru belongs to Jain Family.
Parents & Siblings
His father is a farmer. Not much is known about his mother and siblings.
Wife & Children
Chandru married actress, Padma, in June 1983. The couple have two sons, Bharath and Sharath.
Mukhyamantri Chandru with his wife
Mukhyamantri Chandru’s son Sharath
Acting Career
Mukhyamantri Chandru began his theatrical journey in 1978, when he was selected to play the role of ‘Krishna Dwaipayana Kaushal,’ the Chief Minister of India’s fictitious Udayanchal State in a play titled “Mukhyamantri.” Chandru incorporated his own dialogues in the play and turned the serious drama into a comedy. The play gained immense popularity and earned Chandru the title of ‘Mukhyamantri’.
Mukhyamantri Chandru in the Kannada drama, Mukhyamantri
Chandru started his acting career in 1983 with the Kannada film, “Chakravyuha.” After that, she appeared in several Kannada films, such as “Mududida Tavare Aralithu,” “Jwaalamukhi,” “Guri,” “Avale Nanna Hendthi,” and “Neenu Nakkare Haalu Sakkare.”
Mukhyamantri Chandru in Chakravyuha
In 1990, Chandru played an important role in the comedy film, “Ganeshana Maduve.” After that, he appeared in many popular Kannada films, such as “Sipayi,” “Ammavra Ganda,” “Karnana Sampathu,” “Mathadana,” “Manasugula Mathu Madhura” and “Govindaya Namaha.”
Political career
Chandru started his career in politics in 1985 by joining the Janata Party. In the same year, he won the assembly elections that year from Gauribidanur. In 1991, he switched to the Bharatiya Janata Party, and subsequently, he became a Member of the Legislative Council in 1998 and 2004.
Mukhyamantri Chandru addressed the rally as a BJP member
He later served as the chairman of the Kannada Development Authority until 2013. In 2014, Chandru left the Bharatiya Janata Party and joined the Indian National Congress.
Mukhyamantri Chandru as a member of the Indian National Congress
On 13 July 2023, he was appointed as the Karnataka President of the Aam Aadmi Party.
Favorite Things
- Comedians: Laurel & Hardy, Charlie Chaplin
- Food: Ragi Mudde, Saaru Bas Dish
- Books: Vachana Sahitya, Janapada Sahitya
Facts/Trivia
- His hobbies include reading books and doing theater.
- Chandru shared in an interview that in childhood, his IQ was so low that he was afraid to talk even to his friends.
- Chandru was awarded an honorary doctrine by Gulbarga University for his contribution to Kannada theater and activism in promoting and safeguarding the Kannada language.
- Chandru became popular by playing the role of ‘Chief Minister’ in the Kannada drama, “Mukhyamantri.” However, he was not the first choice to play the role. The role was initially offered to Lohithaswa who was unable to play the role as he had fallen ill.
- In January 2020, Chandru’s play, “Mukhyamantri” completed its 700th performance across India and abroad.
- During his tenure as the chairman of the Kannada Development Authority (KDA), Chandru worked for the protection and promotion of the Kannada language. In December 2008, he called for the mandatory display of vehicle registration plates on all state government vehicles in Kannada. He also raised his voice for making Kannada a compulsory subject for classes 1 to 5.
- Chandru shared in an interview that his parents could not afford to send him to Bangalore for higher studies, so he spent his college life staying at the homes of friends and relatives. He also shared that there was a time when Chandru used to sleep in a public place.
Categories: Biography
Source: SCHOOL TRANG DAI
