Balaji Manohar

**Balaji Manohar** (born 1 January 1989) is an acclaimed Indian actor, cinematographer, and voice artist known for his dynamic performances in Kannada and Hindi cinema. With a strong foundation in filmmaking and a highly versatile acting repertoire, he has established himself as a prominent talent in the contemporary entertainment industry.

Born in Bengaluru, Karnataka, Manohar developed a deep passion for the cinematic arts early in life. He pursued formal education in the field, earning a Master of Fine Arts in Film Production from New York University's prestigious Tisch School of the Arts. During his time there, he honed his skills in both acting and cinematography, notably winning the Kodak Cinematography Gold Scholarship for his 2014 short film *The Little Master*.

Returning to India, he initially made his mark in the Kannada film industry with impactful supporting roles in critically acclaimed films such as *Lucia* (2013) and *Aatagara* (2015). He achieved widespread recognition and critical acclaim for his powerful performance in the crime thriller *Churikatte* (2018), which earned him the prestigious Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actor. He further solidified his reputation as a formidable character actor with his memorable portrayal of the antagonist in the highly successful fantasy adventure film *Avane Srimannarayana* (2019) alongside Rakshit Shetty.

His extensive filmography includes standout performances in *Mahira* (2019), the neo-noir thriller *Arishadvarga* (2020), *Tatsama Tadbhava* (2023), and *Bachelor Party* (2024). Expanding his horizons beyond Sandalwood, he has successfully transitioned into Bollywood, landing pivotal roles in major Hindi productions such as the historical epic *Chhaava* (2025).

Beyond his on-screen acting roles, Manohar is a highly regarded narrator. He has contributed significantly to the growing popularity of regional audiobooks by lending his voice to acclaimed Kannada literary works on platforms like Storytel, including *Ghachar Ghochar* and *Sakina's Kiss*.