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
- 2015 · Rana Vikrama as Karnataka's CM
- 2014 · Weekend With Ramesh as Himself
- 2013 · Chatrigalu Sir Chatrigalu as
- 2012 · Govindaya Namaha as Vydehi's father
- 2012 · Parijatha as
- 2009 · Male Barali Manju Irali as
- 2007 · Appachchi as
- 2007 · Milana as Akash's father
- 2007 · Snehana Preethina as
- 2006 · Tenali Rama as
- 2006 · Thavarina Siri as
- 2006 · Sevanthi Sevanthi as
- 2006 · Hatavadi as
- 2005 · Anna Thangi as
- 2003 · Ooh La La as
- 2003 · Kushalave Kshemave as
- 2002 · Balagalittu Olage Baa as
- 2001 · Kotigalu Saar Kotigalu as
- 2001 · Jodi as
- 2000 · Nannavalu Nannavalu as
- 2000 · Galate Aliyandru as
- 2000 · Devara Maga as Sidde Gowda
- 2000 · Shabdavedhi as
- 1999 · Suryavamsha as Padma's uncle (military man)
- 1998 · Suvvi Suvvalali as
- 1998 · Mayamruga as Mohan Murthy
- 1997 · Ammavra Ganda as
- 1996 · Janumada Jodi as Tammadi
- 1996 · Sutradhara as
- 1996 · Shiva Sainya as
- 1996 · Sowbhagya Devathe as
- 1996 · Ibbara Naduve Muddina Aata as
- 1995 · Hello Sister as
- 1995 · Rowdy as
- 1995 · Killer Diary as
- 1994 · Prema Simhasana as
- 1994 · Kunthi Puthra as
- 1993 · Prana Snehitha as
- 1993 · Gundana Maduve as
- 1993 · Kollura Sri Mookambika as Sudharma Maharaja of Vidharba
- 1992 · Sindhoora Thilaka as
- 1992 · Shivanaga as
- 1992 · Ganesha Subramanya as House Owner
- 1992 · Mysore Jaana as
- 1992 · Shakthi Yukthi as
- 1992 · Solillada Saradara as
- 1992 · Edurmaneli Ganda Pakkadmaneli Hendthi as
- 1992 · Malashree Mamashree 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 · Ibbaru Hendira Muddina Police as
- 1991 · Shanti Kranti as
- 1991 · Rowdy & MLA as
- 1991 · Veerappan as
- 1991 · Navathare as
- 1991 · Garuda Dhwaja 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 · Sididedda Gandu as
- 1990 · Hosa Jeevana as
- 1990 · Swarna Samsara as
- 1990 · Shivashankar as
- 1990 · Ranabheri as
- 1990 · Nammoora Hammeera as Bhujanga Rao
- 1990 · S. P. Sangliyana Part 2 as
- 1990 · Ganeshana Maduve as Ramana Murthy
- 1989 · Narasimha as
- 1989 · Hrudaya Geethe as
- 1989 · Hongkongnalli Agent Amar as
- 1989 · Idu Saadhya as Siddha, the Police Constable
- 1989 · Mutthinantha Manushya as
- 1988 · Arjun as
- 1988 · Nee Nanna Daiva as
- 1988 · Krishna Rukmini as
- 1988 · Anjada Gandu as Bhujangayya
- 1988 · Jana Nayaka as
- 1988 · Vijaya Khadga as
- 1988 · Nammoora Raja as
- 1988 · Ranadheera as Rajaram
- 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 · Krishna Nee Begane Baaro as
- 1986 · Brahmastra as
- 1986 · Sathkara as
- 1985 · Naanu Nanna Hendthi as
- 1985 · Devarelliddane as
- 1985 · Sneha Sambandha as
- 1985 · Chaduranga as
- 1985 · Veeradhi Veera as
- 1985 · Aahuthi as
- 1985 · Guru Jagadguru as
- 1984 · Onde Raktha as
- 1984 · Sidilu as
- 1984 · Gajendra as
- 1983 · Simha Gharjane as
- 1983 · Dharma Yuddha as
- 1983 · Maneli Ramanna Beedili Kamanna as
- Future · Avale Nanna Hendthi as Somashekharayya
- 2020 · LAW as
- 2007 · Thayiya Madilu as
- 2005 · Pandu Ranga Vittala as
- 2003 · Stumble as
- 2003 · Ree Swalpa Bartheera as
- 2002 · Jameendarru as
- 2001 · Banallu Neene Buviyallu Neene as
- 1997 · Bhanda Alla Bahaddur as
- 1997 · Ganga Yamuna as
- 1997 · Lakshmi Mahalakshmi as
- 1997 · Cheluva as
- 1996 · Pattanakke Banda Putta as
- 1996 · Sipayi as Baaji Bettayya
- 1994 · Indrana Gedda Narendra as
- 1994 · Chinna as
- 1994 · Alexander as
- 1993 · Bhagavan Sri Saibaba as
- 1993 · Mojina Maduve as
- 1992 · Sriramachandra as
- 1992 · Chikkejamanru as
- 1992 · Guru Brahma as
- 1992 · Nagaradalli Nayakaru as
- 1991 · Lion Jagapathi Rao as
- 1990 · Challenge Gopalakrishna as
- 1989 · Jai Karnataka as
- 1989 · Yuga Purusha as
- 1988 · Mathrudevobhava as
- 1988 · Brahma Vishnu Maheshwara as
- 1987 · Inspector Kranthikumar as
- 1986 · Maneye Manthralaya as
- 1986 · Guri as Rudrayya
- 1986 · Henne Ninagenu Bandhana as
- 1985 · Jwalamukhi as Gunashekhara
- 1984 · Premigala Saval as
- 1983 · Chakravyuha as Shankarappa
- Future · Legacy as
- 1986 · Agni Parikshe as
- 1985 · Swabhimana as
- 1984 · Khaidi as
- 1983 · Mududida Tavare Aralithu as
- 1983 · Nyaya Gedditu as