Sadhu Kokila
**Sahaya Sheelan Shadrach** (born 24 March 1966), universally known by his stage name **Sadhu Kokila**, is an incredibly prolific Indian comedian, musician, actor, film director, and producer who primarily works in Kannada cinema. With a career spanning over three decades, he is one of the most recognizable and beloved comedic character actors in the Sandalwood industry, known for his impeccable comic timing and eccentric on-screen personas.
Born in Bangalore, Karnataka, into a family with a deep musical background (his father was a violinist for the Karnataka Police Department, and his mother and sister were playback singers), he naturally gravitated toward music in his early life. He studied at St. Joseph's Indian High School and was mentored in music by Kasturi Shankar. He began his cinematic career not as an actor, but as a composer and music director.
His foray into acting happened somewhat accidentally. During the production of the 1993 cult classic thriller *Shhh!*, director Upendra gave him the screen name "Sadhu Kokila" and cast him in a cameo role as "Kung Fu" Kannan. This appearance opened the floodgates for his acting career, leading him to transition into full-time acting, where he specialized in comic relief roles.
Beyond acting in hundreds of films (including standout comedic performances in blockbusters like *Om* (1995), *Aishwarya* (2006), *Super* (2010), *Googly* (2013), *Mr. and Mrs. Ramachari* (2014), and *Raajakumara* (2017)), Sadhu Kokila has also directed ten Kannada films. Most notably, he helmed the massive commercial hit *Raktha Kanneeru* (2003) starring Upendra.
A true multi-hyphenate, his talents have been heavily decorated across multiple disciplines. As a composer, he is a two-time recipient of the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Music Director for his work on *Rakshasa* (2005) and *Inthi Ninna Preethiya* (2008). As an actor, he has won multiple SIIMA and IIFA Utsavam Awards for Best Comedian (Kannada) for films like *Yaare Koogadali* (2012) and *Mr. and Mrs. Ramachari* (2014).
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Movies (249)
Anna From Mexico
2026
Brindavihari
2026
Spark
2026
Hayagrriva
2026
Flirt
2025
Bank Of Bhagyalakshmi
2025
Ekka
2025
Unlock Raghava
2025
UI
2024
Martin
2024
Karki Nanu BA, LLB
2024
Krishnam Pranaya Sakhi
2024 · Kumar
Kangaroo
2024 · Music Director
Night Curfew
2024 · sadhu swami
Avatara Purusha 2
2024 · Rampa
Sanju Weds Geetha 2
2024
Ondu Sarala Prema Kathe
2024 · Sadhu
Upadhyaksha
2024
Kick
2023 · Judge
Love Birds
2023
Kranti
2023 · Kranti's Aide
Mr. Bachelor
2023
Dil Pasand
2022 · Santhosh's boss
Oh My Love
2022
Avatara Purusha: Part 1
2022 · Rampa
Trikona
2022
James
2022
Yellow Board
2022
Bytwo Love
2022 · Matrimonial company manager
Arjun Gowda
2021
Drishya 2
2021 · Restaurant customer
Sakath
2021 · Sadhu
Premam Poojyam
2021
SriKrishna@gmail.com
2021
Yuvarathnaa
2021
Pogaru
2021
Mayabazar 2016
2020 · Pataki Pandu
India vs England
2019
Odeya
2019
Damayanthi
2019
Ayushman Bhava
2019
Mane Maratakkide
2019
Bharaate
2019
Ellidde Illi Tanaka
2019
Adhyaksha In America
2019 · Jimmy Carter
Kiss
2019
Amar
2019
Seizer
2019
Yajamana
2019 · Captain JaganMohan
Natasaarvabhowma
2019 · Namadev
Seetharama Kalyana
2019
Swartharatna
2018
Orange
2018
Victory 2
2018
Ayogya
2018
Onthara Bannagalu
2018 · Sadhu Maharaj
Raambo 2
2018 · Blind Man
Buckasura
2018
Preethiya Rayabhari
2018
Brihaspathi
2018
Double Engine
2018
Chamak
2017
Dhairyam
2017
Anjaniputra
2017 · Viraj's Servant
Mufti
2017 · Ad Hero
Athiratha
2017
Mahanubhavaru
2017
College Kumar
2017
Upendra Matte Baa
2017 · Atmananda
Sathya Harishchandra
2017
Kariya 2
2017
March 22
2017
Bangara s/o Bangarada Manushya
2017
Maasthi Gudi
2017 · Music
Raaga
2017
Raajakumara
2017 · Anthony Gonsalves
Lee
2017
Naanu Mattu Varalakshmi
2016
Sundaranga Jaana
2016 · Hanumantha Rao
Mungaru Male 2
2016 · Nandini's uncle
Kotigobba 2
2016 · Bus passenger
Zoom
2016 · MJ
Jigarthanda
2016 · Acting Trainer
Lakshmana
2016
Luv U Alia
2016
Jaggu Dada
2016
Chakravyuha
2016 · Sadhu
Shivalinga
2016 · a thief-turned house servant
Jai Maruthi 800
2016
Jessie
2016
Kiragoorina Gayyaligalu
2016 · Original Music Composer
Ricky
2016
1st Rank Raju
2015 · Shani Kappor (S.K, Shani)
Ramleela
2015 · Sippy
Aatagara
2015 · Sadhu Maharaj, a chef
Mr. Airavata
2015 · Police Constable Bahubali
A 2nd Hand Lover
2015
Cigarette
2015
Buguri
2015
Male
2015 · Charlie
Bullet Basya
2015 · Basya's Father
Ranna
2015
Mrugashira
2015
Krishna Leela
2015
Raja Rajendra
2015 · Inspector Indrajith
Siddhartha
2015
Khushi Khushiyagi
2015
Mr & Mrs Ramachari
2014 · Manche Gowda
Ambareesha
2014
Super Ranga
2014 · Director
Thirupathi Express
2014 · Indrajaala
Power
2014 · Kidney Kamangi
Jai Lalitha
2014 · Doctor's Husband
Drishya
2014
Love Is Poison
2014
Gajakessari
2014 · Chuncha
Agraja
2014
Maanikya
2014 · Veera Pratapa Simha
Chandralekha
2014
Rangan Style
2014
Chandra
2014 · Andy Roberts
Ninnindale
2014 · Lucky
Shravani Subramanya
2013
Bhajarangi
2013
Sweety Nanna Jodi
2013
Dilwala
2013
Victory
2013 · Inspector Saadhu Gowda
Dirty Picture: Silk Sakkath Maga
2013
Nam Duniya Nam Style
2013
Auto Raja
2013
Bulbul
2013
Madarangi
2013
Chatrigalu Sir Chatrigalu
2013
Myna
2013
Yaare Koogadali
2012 · Shishupala
Edegarike
2012 · Original Music Composer
Mr 420
2012 · SI Kashinath
Snehitaru
2012
Rambo
2012 · Dumil Krishna
Romeo
2012
Crazy Loka
2012
Jaanu
2012
Dashamukha
2012 · Music
Narasimha
2012
Lucky
2012
Parijatha
2012
Bodyguard
2011
Dudde Doddappa
2011 · Original Music Composer
Police Story 3
2011 · Director
Johny Mera Naam Preethi Mera Kaam
2011 · Dr. Halappa
Hudugaru
2011 · Chintamani
Sanju Weds Geetha
2011
Rajani
2011
Shourya
2010 · Director, Screenplay, Music Director
Hendtheer Darbar
2010 · Original Music Composer
Zamana
2010
Mr. Theertha
2010 · Director, Writer
Aithalakkadi
2010 · Music
Ullasa Uthsaha
2010
Prithvi
2010
Porki
2010
Raam
2009
Devaru Kotta Tangi
2009
Gilli
2009
Bhagyada Balegara
2009
Male Barali Manju Irali
2009
Yodha
2009
Hatrick Hodi Maga
2009
Circus
2009
Sangama
2008
Kodagana Koli Nungitha
2008
Nee Tata Naa Birla
2008
Gange Baare Thunge Baare
2008 · Director, Screenplay, Music Director
Inthi Ninna Preethiya
2008 · Original Music Composer
Anatharu
2007 · Director, Screenplay, Music
Prarambha
2007 · Gunda
Snehana Preethina
2007
Amrutha Vani
2007
Masti
2007
Parodi
2007
Duniya
2007 · Original Music Composer
Ee Rajeev Gandhi Alla
2007 · Music Director
Hubballi
2006 · Anna
Thangigagi
2006 · Music Director
Aishwarya
2006
Odahuttidavalu
2006
Ashoka
2006 · Music Director
Suntaragaali
2006 · Director, Screenplay, Music Director
Mandya
2006
Anna Thangi
2005 · Chimpanzee
Swamy
2005
Auto Shankar
2005
Deadly Soma
2005 · Music Director
Masala
2005 · Music Director
Shastri
2005 · Music Director
Gowramma
2005
Rakshasa
2005 · Director, Screenplay, Music Director
Ayya
2005
Kalasipalya
2004 · Jacky
Durgi
2004 · Durgi's friend
Darshan
2004 · Music Director
Daasa
2003 · Music Director
Raktha Kanneeru
2003 · Director
Mane Magalu
2003
Thayi Illada Thabbali
2003
Kiccha
2003 · C. D. Babu
Neenandre Ishta
2003
Laali Haadu
2003 · Music Director
Kitty
2002 · Music Director
Dhum
2002
Dhruva
2002
Nagarahavu
2002
Prema Khaidi
2002
Chandu
2002
H2O
2002 · Music
Majestic
2002 · Music Director
Jodi
2001
Raa
2001
Vaalee
2001 · Vikki
Premakke Sai
2001
Usire
2001
O Nanna Nalle
2000
Preethsu Thappenilla
2000
Jee Boomba
2000 · Original Music Composer
O Premave
1999
A.K.47
1999 · Sadhu
Mr. X
1999 · Music Director
Hello Yama
1998 · Chitragupta
Agni Sakshi
1998 · Music Director
Yaare Neenu Cheluve
1998
Jackie Chan
1997 · Original Music Composer
Ganga Yamuna
1997
Anuraga Spandana
1996
Police Story
1996 · Original Music Composer
Dhani
1996 · Music Director
Huliya
1996 · Music Director
Shreemathi Kalyana
1996 · Music Director
Ibbara Naduve Muddina Aata
1996 · Music Director
Operation Antha
1995
Aata Hudugata
1995 · Original Music Composer
Nighatha
1995 · Music Director
Bal Nan Maga
1995 · Music Director
Om
1995 · Shankar
Savyasachi
1995 · Music
Curfew
1994 · Music Director
Shhh!
1993 · Kung Fu Kannan, Music
Golmaal
Nee Siguvaregu
One and a half
· Lemon Guruji
