Gurunandan

Gurunandan
Born
Gurumurthy

Other namesRaju, Rank Star
OccupationsActor, Model
Years active2011–present

Gurumurthy credited as Gurunandan, is an Indian film and television actor working in Kannada cinema. After having worked in small roles in television series, he rose to fame with the popular series Lakumi aired on the Asianet Suvarna.[1] Following this, he made his big screen lead debut with Cyber Yugadol Nava Yuva Madhura Prema Kavyam (2014). His breakthrough came with his second film in a lead role, First Rank Raju (2015) for which he received both critical acclaim and commercial success.[2]

Early life

Gurunandan was born as Gurumurthy in Mudigere, Chikkamagaluru District, Karnataka. After completing his 8th grade in school, he ran away from his home to Bangalore to try his luck in cinema.[3]

Career

Gurunandan made his debut in mainstream cinema with the experimental romantic film Cyber Yugadol Nava Yuva Madhura Prema Kavyam, where he starred opposite Shwetha Srivatsav. His performance was well-received, earning him a nomination for the SIIMA Best Male Debut Award. However, the film underperformed at the box office.

Gurunandan gained widespread recognition with the 2015 comedy-drama First Rank Raju, where he played the titular role of Raju. The film was both a critical and commercial success, establishing him as a promising actor in Kannada cinema.[4]

Gurunandan acted in films such as Chiravada Nenapu (2016), Smile Please (2017), and Raju Kannada Medium (2018). His 2019 film Missing Boy saw him portray the emotionally layered character of Nishchay Jagdish.

Filmography

YearFilmRoleNotes
2012Cyber Yugadol Nava Yuva Madhura Prema KavyamJayanthaNominated - SIIMA Best Male Debut Award
2015CharlieHimselfGuest appearance
First Rank RajuRaju
2016Chiravada NenapuRaj
John Jani JanardhanHimselfGuest appearance
2017Smile PleaseManamohan/Manu
2018Raju Kannada MediumRaju
2019Missing BoyNishchay Jagdish
2025ForestSunil
Raju James BondRaju
2025Mr. Jack[5]Jack AKA JanakiramaDirected by $umanth
TBDHappy Ending[6]VasuRelease date TBD

References

  1. ↑ "From serial to Sandalwood". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 19 September 2016. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  2. ↑ "FIRST RANK in second attempt!". Deccan Chronicle. 23 December 2015. Archived from the original on 24 December 2015. Retrieved 13 March 2015.
  3. ↑ "This Kannada actor ran away from home in class 8". Times of India. 24 November 2015. Archived from the original on 27 November 2015. Retrieved 13 March 2015.
  4. ↑ Joy, Pratibha (19 November 2015). "Who is the hero of First Rank Raju?". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 11 January 2016. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
  5. ↑ Sharadhaa, A. (4 January 2025). "Guru Nandan to play a stand-up comedian in Mr Jack". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 8 January 2025. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
  6. ↑ "Hariprriya to star in Gurunandan's next?". 30 August 2019. Archived from the original on 30 November 2024. Retrieved 16 February 2025 – via The Economic Times - The Times of India.