# Rishi (Kannada actor)

Monish Nagaraj, known by his screen name Rishi, is an Indian actor, who works mainly in Kannada cinema. An engineering graduate, he was an active theatre artist before venturing into the Kannada film industry. He rose to fame with the 2017 blockbuster film Operation Alamelamma.

## Early life and education

Rishi was born in Bangalore and brought up in Mysore, Karnataka. His father K. C. Nagaraj was a bank official working in Kaveri Grameena Bank and his mother Anala Nagaraj, is a home maker. His birth name is Monish Nagaraj. He did his schooling from St Joseph's Primary School, Mysore and Pre - University course from Marimallappa 's College, Mysore. He went on to attend Sri Jayachamarajendra College of Engineering, Mysore, pursuing a Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering.
During his engineering days, Rishi developed a keen interest in acting and started performing with various amateur theatre groups in Mysore. He was in charge of the dramatics team at his college and also worked as a Radio Jockey outside.

## Career

Through campus placement upon graduation, Rishi got a job in a company and entered a brief corporate stint. Following this, he quit his job to become an entrepreneur in the retail interiors and merchandising field.
He then got an opportunity to appear in T. N. Seetharam's Mahaparva. Rishi continued to perform with established theatre groups in Bangalore until he got an opportunity to appear in a television daily, Anuroopa, which was telecast on Star Suvarna. His character portrayal in the serial won him Best Actor consecutively for two years at the Star Suvarna Parivar awards.

### Debut and recognition

In 2016, director Suni of Simple Agi Ondh Love Story fame cast Rishi for his thriller comedy film Operation Alamelamma. The film became one of the major blockbuster hits of 2017, also releasing in countries like USA and Europe. Rishi gained wide acclaim for his debut lead role of Purmy, a vegetable vendor. His next release was in 2019 named Kavaludaari which was directed by Hemanth Rao of Godhi Banna Sadharna Maykattu fame and produced by Puneeth Rajkumar under his production house PRK Productions. The film became a blockbuster hit and Rishi gained huge appreciation for his role as Inspector K.S.Shyam from both critics and as well as by audience.
Rishi has finished shooting for Sakalakala Vallabha which is being directed and co produced by Jacob Verghese along with Tamil actor and producer Dhanush. He is also acting in Sarvajanikarige Suvarnavakaasha and Ramana avatara

## Filmography
### Films

Key :
| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 2013 | Money Honey Shani | Shekar | Credit as Monish Nagaraj |
| 2014 | KA | Charle | |
| 2015 | Aatagara | Siddharth Mayya | Cameo appearance |
| 2017 | Operation Alamelamma | Paramesh "Purmy" | Debut as lead actor |
| 2019 | Kavaludaari | Shyam | |
| 2019 | Sarvajanikarige Suvarnavakasha | Vedanth | |
| 2021 | Mugilpete | Gowtham | Cameo appearance |
| 2022 | One Cut Two Cut | Groom | Cameo appearance |
| 2022 | Nodi Swamy Ivanu Irode Heege | Sai | |
| 2022 | Thurthu Nirgamana | Actor Vikram | Cameo appearance |
| 2024 | Ramana Avatara | Rama | |
| 2025 | Daaku Maharaaj | Bablu Singh Thakur | Telugu film |
| 2025 | Rudra Garuda Purana | Inspector Rudra | |
| 2025 | Sakalakala Vallabha † | TBA | Post-production |
| 2025 | Seere† | TBA | Filming |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Television | Notes |
| 2014 | Mahaparva | | ETV Kannada | |
| 2016 | Anuroopa | Rishi | Star Suvarna | Credited as Rishi |
| 2023 | Shaitan | Bali | Disney+Hotstar | Telugu web series |

## Awards

| Year | Film | Award | Category | Result |
| 2018 | Operation Alamelamma | 7th SIIMA Awards | Best Debut Actor | Won |
| 2020 | Kavaludaari | Critics Choice Awards 2020 | Best Actor - Kannada | Won |
| 2021 | Kavaludaari | 9th SIIMA Awards | Best Actor | Nominated |