Naveen Kumar Gowda, widely known by his stage name Yash, is an Indian actor who primarily works in Kannada cinema. Born on January 8, 1986, he has received numerous accolades, including three Filmfare Awards South and two SIIMA awards, highlighting his significant contributions to the film industry. Yash began his acting career with various television series in the 2000s, making his film debut in 2007 with “Jambada Hudugi.” His breakthrough came with the 2008 romantic drama “Moggina Manasu,” which earned him the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Yash Biography 2025
Although his first lead role in “Rocky” (2008) did not perform well, Yash quickly established himself as a leading figure in Kannada cinema with hits like “Googly” (2013), “Raja Huli” (2013), “Gajakesari” (2014), “Mr. and Mrs. Ramachari” (2014), “Masterpiece” (2015), and “Santhu Straight Forward” (2016). His fame soared with the pan-India successes of Prashanth Neel’s period action films, “K.G.F: Chapter 1” (2018) and “K.G.F: Chapter 2” (2022), the latter becoming the highest-grossing Kannada film of all time. Yash is also dedicated to philanthropy, actively promoting various social causes through the Yasho Marga Foundation, which he established with his wife, actress Radhika Pandit.
Yash Biography Details
| Born |
Naveen Kumar Gowda
8 January 1986 (age 38)
Boovanahalli, Hassan district, Karnataka, India
|
| Alma mater |
K.L.E. College |
| Occupation |
Actor |
| Years active |
2004–present |
| Spouse |
Radhika Pandit
(m. 2016)
|
| Children |
2 |
Yash Early Life
Yash was born in Boovanahalli, a village in Hassan, Karnataka. He was named Naveen legally, while his mother’s family referred to him as Yashwanth, a name believed to align with his astrological birth sign. His family nicknamed him Nanjundeshwara, reflecting a Hindu tradition of naming children after deities. Yash, seeking a distinctive stage name, chose to shorten Yashwanth to Yash.
His father, Arun Kumar Gowda, worked as a driver for the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation, while his mother, Pushpa, is a homemaker. Yash has a younger sister, Nandini, who is married to a computer engineer. From an early age, he showed an interest in acting, participating in theater and dance competitions during his schooling in Mysore. Although Yash initially aspired to leave school after grade 10 to pursue acting, he completed his education at the insistence of his parents, who initially disapproved of his ambitions. In 2003, they eventually agreed to let him move to Bangalore to work as an assistant director on a film project, which unfortunately was canceled after just two days. Undeterred, Yash decided to stay in Bangalore, joining the Benaka drama troupe, where he worked as a backstage crew member for a modest salary.
Yash Bio
| Personal Information |
Details |
| Real Name |
Naveen Kumar Gowda |
| Date of Birth |
8 January 1986 |
| Age |
38 Years (as of 2025) |
| Birthplace |
Bhuvanahalli, Hassan, Karnataka |
| Hometown |
Bangalore, Karnataka |
Yash Education
| Education |
Details |
| School |
Mahajana High School, Mysore |
| Debut Film |
Jambada Hudugi (2007) |
| Debut TV Show |
Uttarayana (2004) |
Family Background
| Family Background |
Details |
| Father |
Arun Kumar (BMTC) |
| Mother |
Pushpa (Homemaker) |
| Sister |
Nandini |
Physical Attributes
| Physical Attributes |
Details |
| Height |
180 cm (5’ 11”) |
| Eye Colour |
Brown |
| Hair Colour |
Black |
Marital Life
| Marital Life |
Details |
| Marital Status |
Married |
| Marriage Date |
9 December 2016 |
| Wife |
Radhika Pandit |
Yash Children
| Children |
Details |
| Daughter |
Ayra (born December 2018) |
| Son |
Ayush (born October 2019) |
Career Highlights
| Career Highlights |
Details |
| Notable Role |
Ramachari in Mr. and Mrs. Ramachari (2014) |
| Major Award |
Filmfare Award South for Mr. and Mrs. Ramachari |
Musical Contributions
| Musical Contributions |
Details |
| Songs |
‘Annthamma’ from Mr. and Mrs. Ramachari |
| Additional Song |
‘Annange Love Aagide’ from Masterpiece |
Awards and Recognition
| Awards and Recognition |
Details |
| Best Actor |
SIIMA Award for K.G.F: Chapter 2 (2023) |
| Other Awards |
Various accolades for contributions to Kannada cinema |
Yash Hobbies and Interests
| Hobbies and Interests |
Details |
| Hobbies |
Singing |
| Interest in Theater |
Member of Benaka drama troupe |
Yash Early Career
| Early Career |
Details |
| First TV Role |
Uttarayana (2004) |
| First Film |
Jambada Hudugi (2007) |
Influence in Kannada Cinema
| Influence in Kannada Cinema |
Details |
| Popularity |
Leading actor in Kannada films |
| Contributions |
Revitalizing the industry with successful films |
Personal Values
| Personal Values |
Details |
| Family-Oriented |
Strong emphasis on family life |
| Dedication to Craft |
Passionate about acting and music |
Future Projects
| Future Projects |
Details |
| Upcoming Films |
Various announced projects in development |
| Musical Ventures |
Potential future singing endeavors |
Yash Net Worth
Yash net worth is estimated at INR 53 crore.
Yash Summary
Yash’s remarkable journey from a small-town boy to a celebrated actor and singer is a testament to his talent and hard work. With numerous accolades under his belt and a loving family by his side, he continues to inspire many in the world of entertainment. His commitment to his craft, combined with his warm personality, makes him a beloved figure in Kannada cinema.
