Ganesh - Fact file
Date of Birth: July 2, 1977 (1977-07-02)Birth place: Bangalore, Karnataka, IndiaOther name(s): Golden Star, Comedy time ganesh
Occupation: Actor
Years active: 2001–present
Spouse(s): Shilpa Barkur (2008 - present)
Ganesh - Brief biography
Ganesh popularly called as "Comedy Time" Ganesh and "Golden Star" Ganesh is a Kannada language film actor. He shot to popularity with 2007 blockbuster Mungaru Male which is one of the biggest hits in South Indian cinema with earnings crossing Rs. 75 crores. He married his maternal relative Shilpa Barkur on February 11, 2008.
Television career of Ganesh:
"Guttu" was Ganesh's first on-camera project (see Films section below). Though it was made as a telefilm in Karnataka, it ran into difficulties getting a timeslot to air, and the frustrated producers played it as a feature in festivals and select theaters in the USA, incurring heavy losses. Ganesh played the hero, Deepak, a hapless software systems analyst, who gets caught up in the ambitious adventure of an NRI girl (played by Chaya Singh) who visits India to try and re-trace her family tree. His flair for comedy and knack for timing showed through in this first role, which caused the Director (Priyabharati) to promote him heavily to directors of many TV series. In his early days, Ganesh bagged a few TV roles by referencing his collaboration with an NRI director.
Vinu of "yadva-tadva" was a less known character that Ganesha played. But he has acted with the same maturity which he showed in "Mungaru Male". It was through that character that Ganesha showed that he is a great mimicry artist by mimicking Dr. Rajkumar, Balanna and others.
He has also acted in popular serial "Vataara" directed by Nagathihalli Chandrashekhar and "Pa Pa Pandu" directed by Sihi Kahi Chandru.
He was a TV artist before, who popularised a television program 'Comedy Time' being telecasted in Udaya TV with his unique gestures and his homely relation he shared with the viewers of the show. The program was telecasted from Monday-Friday at 5PM-5.30PM in the beginning and later at 5.30PM-6PM.
The program concept was like this: viewers have to write a letter to the anchor describing their family and mentioning their telephone number. Then the anchor would call their number, disguising himself as someone else and fool them. After reading each letter a comedy scene from a chosen kannada film was telecasted in the interim. His unique style of greeting the viewers at the start and end of the program was also very popular, especially with children
Following the success of this TV show, and many fans started to call him 'Comedy Time Ganesh'. Many viewers encouraged him to act as a hero in films, and soon became a household name across Karnataka. Although he started acting as a villain debuting in the film Tapori, he later turned out to be comedy actor and acted in quite a few films.
Vinu of "yadva-tadva" was a less known character that Ganesha played. But he has acted with the same maturity which he showed in "Mungaru Male". It was through that character that Ganesha showed that he is a great mimicry artist by mimicking Dr. Rajkumar, Balanna and others.
He has also acted in popular serial "Vataara" directed by Nagathihalli Chandrashekhar and "Pa Pa Pandu" directed by Sihi Kahi Chandru.
He was a TV artist before, who popularised a television program 'Comedy Time' being telecasted in Udaya TV with his unique gestures and his homely relation he shared with the viewers of the show. The program was telecasted from Monday-Friday at 5PM-5.30PM in the beginning and later at 5.30PM-6PM.
The program concept was like this: viewers have to write a letter to the anchor describing their family and mentioning their telephone number. Then the anchor would call their number, disguising himself as someone else and fool them. After reading each letter a comedy scene from a chosen kannada film was telecasted in the interim. His unique style of greeting the viewers at the start and end of the program was also very popular, especially with children
Following the success of this TV show, and many fans started to call him 'Comedy Time Ganesh'. Many viewers encouraged him to act as a hero in films, and soon became a household name across Karnataka. Although he started acting as a villain debuting in the film Tapori, he later turned out to be comedy actor and acted in quite a few films.
From "Comedy time" Ganesh to "Golden Star" Ganesh:
His first film was "Guttu", a telefilm directed by India's youngest female film director, Priyabharati Joshi, an NRI who came to India with the intention of entering the Indian film industry. Priyabharati offered Ganesh "Guttu" just as he was about to graduate from Adarsh Film Institute, against the advice of industry insiders who criticized her choice of a newcomer with unconventional looks and no industry ties. "Guttu was Ganesh's first time facing the camera, before moving on to his TV career and later, feature films.
Ganesh's first feature wide-release film Chellata which was a moderate success, ran up to 125 days in some theatres. When no other actress showed interest to act against him. Rekha of Chitra fame, who had already acted in quite a few film agreed to act.
Then came the rain, Mungaru Male which was a roaring success. The film was directed by Yograj Bhat and the music was rendered by Mano Murthy. Yograj had narrated the script to Puneeth Rajkumar who rejected it. Ganesh was involved in the script making stage and was curious to act in the movie. He got director Bhat to meet his acquaintance E Krishnappa. Since Krishnappa knew Ganesh (both hailed from Adakamaranahalli, Nelamangala), he agreed to finance the film. Since Yograj Bhat couldn't get dates from any Kannada actress, he signed a relatively unknown actress Sanjana Gandhi. The film's lyrics was penned by Jayant Kaikini and music was composed by part-time music director Mano Murthy. Jayant Kaikini, son of renowned writer late Gourish Kaikini, was a well known columnist and writer. The film was mainly shot during the rainy season, especially in places like Madikeri, Sakaleshpura, Jog falls and Gadag.
The film opened to a good response among the audiences and is on a record breaking spree. It is running 84 shows per day in Bangalore. In remaining parts of Karnataka it is shown 504 times a day ever since the release. The film is expected to garner Rs. 60 crores (US $12million) at the box office The film also released with 150 prints all over Karnataka. It is the only film that is running to packed houses on weekdays in PVR Multiplex for more than one year. The remake rights of the movie were acquired by Mr Suryaprakash Rao of SP Entertainers India Private Limited for Rs. 1.5 crores for Tamil , Telugu combined. Mungaaru Male has finished 25 weeks and is still running houseful and is even the most successful Kannada film till date. Mungaaru Male has earned till now a huge sum of forty crores, the highest till now in the Kannada film Industry. The film received lukewarm to average reviews. Rediff.com awarded three-star (meant quite good) rating and praised its cinematography, technical values and acting only of Ganesh and Anant Nag, but opined that the story was flawed. Nowrunning.com felt that the film lacked a credible story line and gave too much importance to music and song picturisation. Kannada portal Thatskannada.com praised the film for its content, narration and usage of rain as a metaphor for love.
His third film as hero, Hudugaata against Rekha was released on June 8, 2007. It got a good opening with Ganesh's portrayal. His acting was praised by all the reviewers saying, Ganesh has batted brilliantly, on a not so well pitch.
Ganesh's first feature wide-release film Chellata which was a moderate success, ran up to 125 days in some theatres. When no other actress showed interest to act against him. Rekha of Chitra fame, who had already acted in quite a few film agreed to act.
Then came the rain, Mungaru Male which was a roaring success. The film was directed by Yograj Bhat and the music was rendered by Mano Murthy. Yograj had narrated the script to Puneeth Rajkumar who rejected it. Ganesh was involved in the script making stage and was curious to act in the movie. He got director Bhat to meet his acquaintance E Krishnappa. Since Krishnappa knew Ganesh (both hailed from Adakamaranahalli, Nelamangala), he agreed to finance the film. Since Yograj Bhat couldn't get dates from any Kannada actress, he signed a relatively unknown actress Sanjana Gandhi. The film's lyrics was penned by Jayant Kaikini and music was composed by part-time music director Mano Murthy. Jayant Kaikini, son of renowned writer late Gourish Kaikini, was a well known columnist and writer. The film was mainly shot during the rainy season, especially in places like Madikeri, Sakaleshpura, Jog falls and Gadag.
The film opened to a good response among the audiences and is on a record breaking spree. It is running 84 shows per day in Bangalore. In remaining parts of Karnataka it is shown 504 times a day ever since the release. The film is expected to garner Rs. 60 crores (US $12million) at the box office The film also released with 150 prints all over Karnataka. It is the only film that is running to packed houses on weekdays in PVR Multiplex for more than one year. The remake rights of the movie were acquired by Mr Suryaprakash Rao of SP Entertainers India Private Limited for Rs. 1.5 crores for Tamil , Telugu combined. Mungaaru Male has finished 25 weeks and is still running houseful and is even the most successful Kannada film till date. Mungaaru Male has earned till now a huge sum of forty crores, the highest till now in the Kannada film Industry. The film received lukewarm to average reviews. Rediff.com awarded three-star (meant quite good) rating and praised its cinematography, technical values and acting only of Ganesh and Anant Nag, but opined that the story was flawed. Nowrunning.com felt that the film lacked a credible story line and gave too much importance to music and song picturisation. Kannada portal Thatskannada.com praised the film for its content, narration and usage of rain as a metaphor for love.
His third film as hero, Hudugaata against Rekha was released on June 8, 2007. It got a good opening with Ganesh's portrayal. His acting was praised by all the reviewers saying, Ganesh has batted brilliantly, on a not so well pitch.
