Rajesh Krishnan
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Rajesh Krishnan | |
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| Born | |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1991–present |
| Spouses | |
| Awards | |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Instrument | Vocals |
Rajesh Krishnan is an Indian playback singer, actor, and dubbing artist best known for his work in Kannada cinema, with a substantial body of work in Telugu and Tamil films.[2] He made his mainstream playback debut with “Mathinalle Gellaballe” in the Kannada film Gowri Ganesha (1991), and rose to prominence through a prolific run of 1990s–2000s hits, including Kannada numbers such as “Nooru Janmaku” (America America), “Kariya I Love You” (Duniya), “Suntara Gaali” (Kalasipalya), and “Onde Usirante” (Snehaloka). In Telugu, his breakout “Yeto Vellipoyindi Manasu” from Ninne Pelladatha (1996) earned him the Nandi Award for Best Male Playback Singer.[3]
Across a career spanning over three decades, Rajesh has sung over 3,000 film songs in Kannada, over 200 in Telugu, around 15 in Malayalam and some 50 in Tamil.[4] He has also recorded numerous songs in Tulu and Lambani. In Hindi cinema, he has sung about 20 songs, including few for dubbed films.[5] Rajesh has been recognized with multiple honors, including the Karnataka State Film Awards (Best Male Playback Singer—3 times), Filmfare South nomination (Best Supporting Actor for Gaalipata, 2008) for his acting, and the SIIMA for Best Male Playback Singer for “Kaarmoda” from Mr. and Mrs. Ramachari (2014).[6] He has also recorded devotional and private albums that remain widely available on streaming platforms.[7]
Early life
[edit]Rajesh was born in Bengaluru, India in a musical family; his mother is a Carnatic vocalist whom he credit as his first musical mentor. He studied at St. Joseph's Indian High School, representing the school at a children’s film festival at age 13, before taking up professional singing under composers including Hamsalekha. His first film song was recorded in 1991, when he was 17. His initial singing assignments were limited to track singing where an accomplished playback singer, mostly S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, would record the release version.[5]
Career
[edit]Playback singing
[edit]Rajesh began singing under the direction of composers Rajan-Nagendra and Hamsalekha in the late 1980s, where he recorded tracks in his voice upon which other professional singers would cover with their voices. In 1991, Rajesh's voice was retained and released in the final soundtrack album of Gowri Ganesha. The song "Mathinalle Gellaballe", composed by Rajan-Nagendra was the first official release song. This was quickly followed by songs from the films, Hoovu Hannu (1993) and Bevu Bella (1993), both composed by Hamsalekha, which raised his popularity among Kannada audience.
For his rendition in films such as Bannada Hejje (1999), Ekangi (2002) and Dumbee (2003), Rajesh won Karnataka State Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer.[8][9][10]
Following these initial breakthrough films, Rajesh was one of the most sought-after singers in Kannada cinema. He went on to sing for numerous other composers such as V. Manohar, L. N. Shastry, Sadhu Kokila, S. A. Rajkumar and Rajesh Ramanath in the 1990s and 2000s. Later in the 2010s and 2020s, composers such as V. Harikrishna, Arjun Janya, B. Ajaneesh Loknath, Manikanth Kadri, Ravi Basrur and Charan Raj chose Rajesh's voice for their songs. He went on to sing more than 3000 songs in Kannada cinema making him the first ever singer from Karnataka to sing those many songs in films.
Rajesh expanded to Telugu cinema through Sandeep Chowta's musical Ninne Pelladatha in 1996. The song "Yeto Vellipoyindi Manasu" reached popularity immediately after release and earned him the Nandi Award for Best Male Playback Singer.[11] Following this, he was offered many other Telugu songs in films including Raja (1999), Prema Katha (1999), Nee Kosam (1999), Nuvvu Vasthavani (2000), Kalisundam Raa (2000), Ninne Premistha (2001), Santosham (2002) and Lakshmi (2006). In Tamil, his song "Megamai Vandhu Pogiren" for the film Thullatha Manamum Thullum (1999) was received with wide appreciation.
Acting
[edit]Rajesh made his first onscreen appearance with a Telugu film, Ori Nee Prema Bangaram Kaanu in 2003. He played the lead character which was not well received by critics who criticized his acting skills.[12]. This was followed by yet another failed appearance in the Kannada film, Santhosha in 2004.
Later in 2008, Rajesh was roped in to play one of the lead characters in Yogaraj Bhat's multi-starrer Kannada film, Gaalipata.[13]. He played the role Kitty, an engineer and one of the three main friends alongside Ganesh and Diganth. The film met with positive reviews from critics and also appreciation for all the lead actors. Rajesh was nominated at the Filmfare Awards South under Best Supporting Actor category.[14] After Gaalipata, Rajesh took a break from acting and focussed on his singing career. However, upon insistence of his friend and fellow singer, L. N. Shastri, he took up the lead role offer in the 2015 musical film, Melody. The film met with mixed reviews and underperformed at the box-office.
Personal life
[edit]Rajesh Krishnan has been married and divorced to Sowmya Raoh (singer), Haripriya (dentist) and Ramya Vasishta (TV anchor and singer).[6][15][16][17][18]
Television
[edit]Rajesh began his television journey as a judge on Zee Kannada's Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, the Kannada adaptation of the national singing reality franchise. He joined the judging panel from its early seasons and has since become a recurring presence, bringing his extensive playback experience to mentor emerging talent. Over the years, Krishnan has shared the judges’ seat alongside musicians Vijay Prakash, Arjun Janya, and, in earlier seasons, Hamsalekha. He has been part of multiple seasons, including Season 13 (2017), Season 17 (2020–2022), and the Season 21 (2024–2025).[19]
Filmography
[edit]As actor
[edit]| Year | Film | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Ori Nee Prema Bangaram Kaanu | Rajesh | Telugu film | [20] |
| 2004 | Santhosha | Rajesh | ||
| 2008 | Gaalipata | Kitty | Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor | |
| 2015 | Melody | Kiran |
Dubbing artist
[edit]| Year | Film | Actor | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Nanna Preethiya Hudugi | Dhyan | |
| 2003 | Paris Pranaya | Raghu Mukherjee | |
| 2005 | Amrithadhare | Dhyan | |
| 2014 | Mr. and Mrs. Ramachari | Dhyan | |
Partial discography
[edit]Kannada songs
[edit]Telugu songs
[edit]| Year | Film | Song | Composer(s) | Co-singer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Ninne Pelladata | "Yeto Vellipoyindi" | Sandeep Chowta | |
| "Naa Mogudu Rampyari" | ||||
| "Ninne Pelladesthananth" | ||||
| 1997 | Master | "Intiloki Welcome" | Deva | Sowmya |
| "B.SC Aynagani" | Chandrabose, Krishanraj | |||
| "Bavunnara" | Sowmya | |||
| 1998 | All Rounder | "Yeppudeppudo" | Swaraveenapani | Anuradha Sriram |
| Auto Driver | "Akkineni Akkineni" | Deva | Sujatha Mohan | |
| Chandralekha | "Tajmahaluni" | Sandeep Chowta | ||
| "Urumulu Nee Muvvalai" | ||||
| "Mogali Podalu" | ||||
| Sathya | "Galliloni Matti Mattiki" | Vishal Bhardwaj | ||
| 1999 | Sneham Kosam | "Meesamunna Nesthama" | S. A. Rajkumar | |
| Nee Kosam | "Nee Kosam" | R. P. Patnaik | Kousalya | |
| Mallika | "Chalo Chalo" | Sandeep Chowta | ||
| "Em Ayindho" | ||||
| "Aat Maane" | ||||
| "Yi Uella" | ||||
| Raja | "Kavvinchake O Prema" | S. A. Rajkumar | Sujatha Mohan | |
| Prema Katha | "Nee Kosam" | Sandeep Chowta | ||
| "Devudu Karunisthadani" | Anuradha Sriram | |||
| "Kokkaroko" | ||||
| Preminche Manasu | "Nee Choopu Chalamma" | S. A. Rajkumar | ||
| "Evare Cheli Nuvvevare" | ||||
| "My Dear My Dear" | Smitha | |||
| 2000 | Nuvvu Vastavani | "Meghamai Nenu Vachanu" | S. A. Rajkumar | Sujatha Mohan |
| Manasunna Maaraju | "O Prema" | Vandemataram Srinivas | ||
| Ninne Premistha | "Prema Endukani" | S. A. Rajkumar | K. S. Chithra | |
| "Gudi Gantalu" | ||||
| Devullu | "Shanti Nikethana" | Vandemataram Srinivas | K. S. Chithra | |
| Kalisundam Raa | "Kalisunte Kaladu" | S. A. Rajkumar | ||
| Adavi (D) | "Ninne Choosina" | Sandeep Chowta | ||
| "Ee Prema Pakshulu" | ||||
| "Priya Ninu Cheeredareedi" | ||||
| "Chinna Nadumu Chilaka Mukku" | ||||
| "Ayyo Ayyo Rama" | ||||
| Ravanna | "Nuvvante Chala" | S. A. Rajkumar | K. S. Chithra | |
| Tirumala Tirupati Venkatesa | "Nadumu Vompulo" | Vandemataram Srinivas | K. S. Chithra | |
| Pelli Sambandham | "Atchi Butchi" | S. A. Rajkumar | Swarnalatha | |
| "Bhale Bhale" | ||||
| 2001 | Naa Manasistha Raa | "Twinkle Twinkle" | S. A. Rajkumar | Sunita |
| "Kadantava" | ||||
| Snehamante Idera | "Naa Pedaviki Navvulu" | Shiva Shankar | Sujatha | |
| 2002 | Santosham | "Nuvvante Naakisthtam" | R. P. Patnaik | Usha |
| Nuvve Nuvve | "Ammayi Nachesindi" | Koti | Kousalya | |
| Nee Sneham | "Emo Aunemo" | R. P. Patnaik | Usha | |
| 2003 | Toli Choopulone | "Pagadala Pedavipai" | Chakri | Harini |
| Vijayam | "Hampilo Silpalu" | Koti | ||
| "Kushalama O Priya" | K. S. Chithra | |||
| 2004 | Monalisa (D) | "O Priyathama" | Valisha-Sandeep | |
| "Naa Manasantha" | Sunidhi Chauhan | |||
| Intlo Srimathi Veedhilo Kumari | "Nee Ollo Ne Nerchu" | Ghantadi Krishna | Shreya Ghoshal | |
| Kushi Kushiga | "Godari Gattundi" | S. A. Rajkumar | Shreya Ghoshal | |
| "Preminche" | ||||
| 2005 | Keelu Gurram | "Aa Keelu Gurramla" | Malathi | |
| "Ko Ko Ko Koyila" | Mathangi | |||
| Sri | "Prema Prema" | Sandeep Chowta | ||
| "Are Chi Chi" | ||||
| "Holi Holi" | ||||
| 2006 | Lakshmi | "Ne Puttindi Neekosame" | Ramana Gogula | Ganga |
| Astram | "Undipo Nesthama" | S. A. Rajkumar | K. S. Chithra | |
| "Prema Kanna" | Ananthu | |||
| Andala Ramudu | "Jabilli Raave" | Shreya Ghoshal | ||
| "Seethakoka" | Sujatha Mohan | |||
| 2007 | Chandamama | "Buggey Bangarama" | K. M. Radhakrishnan | |
| 2008 | Chintakayala Ravi | "Merupula Merise" | Vishal–Shekhar | Shreya Ghoshal |
| 2010 | Maa Annayya Bangaram | "Mallee Mallee" | S. A. Rajkumar | Rita |
| 2024 | Swag | "Neelo Naalo" | Vivek Sagar | Anjana Sowmya |
Tamil songs
[edit]| Year | Film | Song | Composer(s) | Co-singer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Murai Mappillai | "Akka Magale" | Swararaj | |
| 1996 | Unnaiye Kalyanam Pannikiren (D) | "Dhisai Maari Poyachu" | Sandeep Chowta | |
| 1999 | Thullatha Manamum Thullum | "Megamai Vandhu Pogiren" | S. A. Rajkumar | |
| 2000 | Unnai Kodu Ennai Tharuven | "Sollu Thalaiva" | S. A. Rajkumar | |
| 2000 | Ennavalle | "Raa Raa Rajakumara" | S. A. Rajkumar | Sujatha Mohan |
| 2002 | Raja | "Nee Paarkinrai" | S. A. Rajkumar | |
| 2006 | Vattaram | "Idhu Kadhal" | Bharadwaj | |
| 2014 | Jaihind 2 | "Ayyaa Padichavare" | Arjun Janya | Gana Bala |
| 2016 | Parandhu Sella Vaa | "Man Meedhu" | Joshua Sridhar | |
Hindi songs
[edit]| Year | Song | Film | Music | Lyrics | Co-singer(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | "Yahin Kahin Khoya" | Jab Dil Kisi Pe Aata Hai (D) | Sandeep Chowta | |||
| 2002 | "Krishna Hare" | Bollywood/Hollywood | Sandeep Chowta |
Awards
[edit]- 2000 – Best Male Playback Singer – Bannada Hejje (Song: "Nagu Bandaroo Alu Bandaroo")[8]
- 2002 – Best Male Playback Singer – Ekangi (Song: "Hudugi Superamma")[9]
- 2003 – Best Male Playback Singer – Dumbee (Song: "Kshamiseya")[10]
- 1996 – Best Male Playback Singer – Ninne Pelladatha (Song: "Yeto Vellipoyindi Manasu")
South Indian International Movie Awards:
- 2014 – SIIMA Award for Best Male Playback Singer - Kannada – Mr. and Mrs. Ramachari (Song: "Kaarmoda Suridu")[21]
References
[edit]- ↑ "Rajesh and Ramya part ways". The Times of India. 21 March 2013.
- ↑ "Kundapur: Playback Singer Rajesh Krishnan Ties the Knot at Kollur Temple". www.mangalorean.com. 27 September 2013. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013.
- ↑ "నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964–2008)" [A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964–2008)] (PDF). Information & Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh. Retrieved 21 August 2020.(in Telugu)
- ↑ "Musical milestone". Bangalore Mirror. 23 April 2011.
- 1 2 "'We have made Mumbai singers rich'". Bangalore Mirror. 5 April 2015.
- 1 2 "Rajesh Krishnan marries singer Ramya Vasishta - Oneindia Entertainment". Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 7 December 2011.
- ↑ "Singers Rajesh Krishnan, Vijay Prakash in a project to support struggling musicians". The Times of India. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
- 1 2 "Shivaraj, Tara, Anu bag State film awards". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 17 December 2001. Archived from the original on 2 November 2013.
- 1 2 "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 April 2012. Retrieved 18 November 2011.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - 1 2 "Karnataka State Film Awards 2002-2003 announced - Artha of B. Suresh bagged the Best Film Award". Viggy.com.
- ↑ "నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964–2008)" [A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964–2008)] (PDF). Information & Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh. Retrieved 21 August 2020. (in Telugu)
- ↑ "Ori Nee Prema Bangaram Kaanu - AVS - Rajesh, Sangeeta". Idlebrain.
- ↑ "Rajesh Krishna acts in Gaalipata". Filmibeat.com. 19 December 2007.
- ↑ "56th Filmfare Awards South". ReachoutHyderabad.com. 10 October 2011. Archived from the original on 31 July 2009. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
- ↑ "Rajesh Krishnan weds again! - Kannada Movie News". Archived from the original on 24 May 2013. Retrieved 24 January 2013.
- ↑ "Rajesh Krishnan Marriage Break! - Kannada Movie News". Archived from the original on 23 March 2013. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
- ↑ "Singer Rajesh Krishnan weds". Archived from the original on 13 June 2013. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
- ↑ "Annul our marriage: Rajesh Krishnan's wife". Archived from the original on 23 March 2013. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
- ↑ "Rajesh Krishnan is back as judge of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa season 15". The Times of India. 27 September 2018.
- ↑ "Ori Nee Prema Bangaram Kaanu". www.sify.com via web.archive.org. 21 October 2003. Archived from the original on 20 June 2022.
- ↑ "SIIMA 2015 Kannada Nominations: Upendra, Yash, Sri Murali, Dhruva Sarja, Satish Ninasam in Best Actor List". IBTimes. 16 June 2015. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
External links
[edit]
- 1974 births
- Living people
- Karnataka State Film Award winners
- Male actors in Kannada cinema
- Indian male film actors
- Kannada-language playback singers
- Tamil-language playback singers
- Telugu-language playback singers
- Male actors from Bengaluru
- Indian male voice actors
- Singers from Bengaluru
- Indian male playback singers
- 20th-century Indian male actors
- 21st-century Indian male actors
