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.
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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.