Mukhyamantri Chandru
**Honnasandra Narasimhaiah Chandrashekar** (born 28 August 1953), widely and affectionately known as **Mukhyamantri Chandru**, is a veteran Indian actor, theatre personality, and politician who works predominantly in Kannada cinema. With a prolific career spanning over four decades, he has appeared in over 500 films and is celebrated as one of the most versatile and enduring character actors in the Sandalwood industry. Born in Honnasandra in the Nelamangala taluk of Karnataka, Chandru developed a profound passion for the performing arts during his youth. He became heavily involved in amateur theatre and achieved massive statewide fame on the stage for his stellar portrayal of a cunning, ambitious politician in the hugely popular Kannada play *Mukhyamantri*. His performance in the titular role was so iconic and universally acclaimed that "Mukhyamantri" (Chief Minister) became a permanent prefix to his public and professional identity for the rest of his life. Chandru transitioned to the silver screen and made his feature film debut with the 1983 blockbuster film *Chakravyuha*. He quickly became a highly sought-after character actor, renowned for his impeccable comic timing, highly expressive dialogue delivery, and ability to seamlessly switch between humorous roles and menacing villains. He frequently portrayed corrupt politicians, eccentric landlords, and strict family patriarchs. He is particularly remembered for his legendary comedic collaborations with actor Anant Nag in classic hits like *Ganeshana Maduve* (1990) and *Gauri Ganesha* (1991). His extensive and celebrated filmography includes memorable roles in *Ondu Muttina Kathe* (1987), *Muthina Haara* (1990), *Golmaal Radhakrishna* (1990), *Mathadana* (2001), and *Simhadriya Simha* (2002). Beyond his cinematic achievements, Chandru is a prominent political and cultural figure in Karnataka. He served as a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) and has been a fierce, lifelong advocate for the state's culture and language. He made significant administrative contributions during his highly active tenure as the Chairperson of the Kannada Development Authority (Kannada Abhivruddhi Pradhikara), continuously fighting to safeguard, implement, and promote the Kannada language. In recognition of his monumental contributions to theatre, cinema, and linguistic activism, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by Gulbarga University.
Known For
Credits
- 2023 · SeethaRama as Suryaprakash Desai (Suri)
- 2023 · Kranti as Basava Rayanna
- 2021 · Munduvareda Adhyaya as
- 2014 · Weekend With Ramesh as Himself
- 2013 · Chatrigalu Sir Chatrigalu as
- 2012 · Govindaya Namaha as Vydehi's father
- 2009 · Male Barali Manju Irali as
- 2007 · Milana as Akash's father
- 2007 · Snehana Preethina as
- 2006 · Tenali Rama as
- 2006 · Sevanthi Sevanthi as
- 2005 · Pandu Ranga Vittala as
- 2005 · Anna Thangi as
- 2003 · Kushalave Kshemave as
- 2002 · Balagalittu Olage Baa as
- 2001 · Banallu Neene Buviyallu Neene as
- 2000 · Nannavalu Nannavalu as
- 2000 · Shabdavedhi as
- 1998 · Suvvi Suvvalali as
- 1998 · Mayamruga as Mohan Murthy
- 1997 · Ammavra Ganda as
- 1997 · Cheluva as
- 1996 · Janumada Jodi as Tammadi
- 1996 · Shiva Sainya as
- 1996 · Ibbara Naduve Muddina Aata as
- 1995 · Rowdy as
- 1995 · Killer Diary as
- 1993 · Prana Snehitha as
- 1993 · Gundana Maduve as
- 1992 · Sindhoora Thilaka as
- 1992 · Ganesha Subramanya as House Owner
- 1992 · Solillada Saradara as
- 1992 · Mysore Jaana as
- 1992 · Edurmaneli Ganda Pakkadmaneli Hendthi as
- 1992 · Bombat Hendthi as
- 1991 · Gauri Ganesha as Poornananda Rao
- 1991 · Ranachandi as
- 1991 · Kalyana Mantapa as Alasingachar Perumal
- 1991 · Gruha Pravesha as
- 1991 · Shanti Kranti as
- 1991 · Rowdy & MLA as
- 1991 · Readymade Ganda as
- 1991 · Neenu Nakkare Haalu Sakkare as
- 1991 · Kitthurina Huli as
- 1991 · Golmal Part 2 as
- 1990 · Mathe Hadithu Kogile as Pradeep
- 1990 · Ivalentha Hendthi as
- 1990 · Hosa Jeevana as
- 1990 · Swarna Samsara as
- 1990 · Shivashankar as
- 1990 · Ranabheri as
- 1990 · S. P. Sangliyana Part 2 as
- 1989 · Narasimha as
- 1989 · Hrudaya Geethe as
- 1989 · Mutthinantha Manushya as
- 1988 · Krishna Rukmini as
- 1988 · Anjada Gandu as Bhujangayya
- 1988 · Jana Nayaka as
- 1988 · Vijaya Khadga as
- 1988 · Praja Prabhuthva as
- 1987 · Sangrama as
- 1987 · Bedi as
- 1987 · Anthima Theerpu as
- 1987 · Mr. Raja as
- 1987 · Premaloka as Chief Minister
- 1986 · Vishwaroopa as
- 1986 · Bete as
- 1986 · Guri as Rudrayya
- 1986 · Krishna Nee Begane Baaro as
- 1986 · Brahmastra as
- 1986 · Agni Parikshe as
- 1986 · Sathkara as
- 1985 · Devarelliddane as
- 1985 · Sneha Sambandha as
- 1985 · Aahuthi as
- 1985 · Guru Jagadguru as
- 1984 · Onde Raktha as
- 1984 · Sidilu as
- 1984 · Gajendra as
- 1983 · Dharma Yuddha as
- 1983 · Maneli Ramanna Beedili Kamanna as
- 1983 · Nyaya Gedditu as
- Future · Avale Nanna Hendthi as Somashekharayya
- 2020 · LAW as
- 2015 · Rana Vikrama as Karnataka's CM
- 2012 · Parijatha as
- 2007 · Appachchi as
- 2007 · Thayiya Madilu as
- 2006 · Thavarina Siri as
- 2006 · Hatavadi as
- 2003 · Stumble as
- 2003 · Ree Swalpa Bartheera as
- 2003 · Ooh La La as
- 2002 · Jameendarru as
- 2001 · Kotigalu Saar Kotigalu as
- 2001 · Jodi as
- 2000 · Galate Aliyandru as
- 2000 · Devara Maga as Sidde Gowda
- 1999 · Suryavamsha as Padma's uncle (military man)
- 1997 · Bhanda Alla Bahaddur as
- 1997 · Ganga Yamuna as
- 1997 · Lakshmi Mahalakshmi as
- 1996 · Pattanakke Banda Putta as
- 1996 · Sutradhara as
- 1996 · Sipayi as Baaji Bettayya
- 1996 · Sowbhagya Devathe as
- 1995 · Hello Sister as
- 1994 · Indrana Gedda Narendra as
- 1994 · Chinna as
- 1994 · Prema Simhasana as
- 1994 · Kunthi Puthra as
- 1994 · Alexander as
- 1993 · Bhagavan Sri Saibaba as
- 1993 · Kollura Sri Mookambika as Sudharma Maharaja of Vidharba
- 1993 · Mojina Maduve as
- 1992 · Sriramachandra as
- 1992 · Shivanaga as
- 1992 · Chikkejamanru as
- 1992 · Guru Brahma as
- 1992 · Nagaradalli Nayakaru as
- 1992 · Shakthi Yukthi as
- 1992 · Malashree Mamashree as
- 1992 · Hatamari Hennu Kiladi Gandu as
- 1991 · Ibbaru Hendira Muddina Police as
- 1991 · Veerappan as
- 1991 · Navathare as
- 1991 · Garuda Dhwaja as
- 1991 · Lion Jagapathi Rao as
- 1990 · Sididedda Gandu as
- 1990 · Challenge Gopalakrishna as
- 1990 · Nammoora Hammeera as Bhujanga Rao
- 1990 · Ganeshana Maduve as Ramana Murthy
- 1989 · Jai Karnataka as
- 1989 · Yuga Purusha as
- 1989 · Hongkongnalli Agent Amar as
- 1989 · Idu Saadhya as Siddha, the Police Constable
- 1988 · Arjun as
- 1988 · Nee Nanna Daiva as
- 1988 · Mathrudevobhava as
- 1988 · Nammoora Raja as
- 1988 · Ranadheera as Rajaram
- 1988 · Brahma Vishnu Maheshwara as
- 1987 · Inspector Kranthikumar as
- 1986 · Maneye Manthralaya as
- 1986 · Henne Ninagenu Bandhana as
- 1985 · Naanu Nanna Hendthi as
- 1985 · Swabhimana as
- 1985 · Jwalamukhi as Gunashekhara
- 1985 · Chaduranga as
- 1985 · Veeradhi Veera as
- 1984 · Hosa Ithihasa as
- 1984 · Khaidi as
- 1984 · Premigala Saval as
- 1983 · Simha Gharjane as
- 1983 · Mududida Tavare Aralithu as
- 1983 · Chakravyuha as Shankarappa
- Future · Legacy as