# Sadhu Kokila

Sahaya Sheelan Shadrach, (born 24 March 1966) known by his screen name Sadhu Kokila, is an Indian comedian, musician, actor, film director and producer, and an occasional screenwriter and lyricist who works in Kannada cinema. He began his career as a composer before taking to acting in films, appearing mostly in comic roles. He has also directed ten Kannada films, the most notable one being Raktha Kanneeru (2003).
As a composer, he is a two-time recipient of the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Music Director, which he won for Rakshasa (2005) and Inthi Ninna Preethiya (2008). As an actor, he has received multiple nominations and awards in the category of Best Comedian in the South Indian International Movie Awards.

## Early life and career

Sadhu Kokila was born as Sahaya Sheelan on 24 March 1966 into a Tamil Nadar Christian family of Natesh and Mangala in Bangalore in the Indian State of Mysore (now Karnataka). He was born to a family of musicians with father being a violinist in a music band of Karnataka Police Department, his mother and sister being playback singers. Sadhu Kokila's brother Layendra is also an actor. Kokila studied in St. Joseph's Indian High School, Bangalore. He was given the stage name Sadhu Kokila by Upendra, the director of Sheelan's debut film Shhh!.
Kokila began his career as a musician after he was taken to musician Kasturi Shankar by his brother.

## Personal life

Kokila married Saleena in 1993. They have two children together, Suraag and Srujan.

## Filmography

Key :
| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |

### As actor

| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 1993 | Shhh! | "Kung Fu" Kannan | Cameo appearance |
| 1995 | Om | Shankar | |
| 1997 | O Mallige | Mustafa | |
| 1998 | Sorry | | |
| 1998 | Hello Yama | Chitragupta | |
| 1998 | Yamalokadalli Veerappan | | |
| 1999 | Bombat Halva | | |
| 2000 | Kiladi | | |
| 2000 | Ekangi | Thief | |
| 2001 | Vaalee | Vicky | |
| 2001 | Raa | 'Triple X' Ranjith Kumar, Sridhar's friend | Telugu film; dual role |
| 2001 | Jipuna Nanna Ganda | Vikram | |
| 2002 | Chandu | Thimma | |
| 2002 | Nagarahavu | Vishwanath Sharma | |
| 2003 | Laali Haadu | Thippeswamy | |
| 2003 | Neenandre Ishta | | |
| 2003 | Raktha Kanneeru | Kantha's uncle | Also director |
| 2003 | Mani | | |
| 2003 | Thayi Illada Thabbali | | |
| 2003 | Mane Magalu | | |
| 2004 | Rowdy Aliya | SP Jayasimha | |
| 2004 | Saagari | | |
| 2004 | Mellusire Savigaana | | |
| 2004 | Rama Krishna | Ranganna | |
| 2004 | Maurya | | |
| 2004 | Kalasipalya | Jacky | |
| 2005 | Kanchanaganga | | |
| 2005 | Anna Thangi | | |
| 2005 | Gowramma | Photographer | |
| 2005 | Rakshasa | | Also director |
| 2005 | Nammanna | Journalist | |
| 2005 | Sakha Sakhi | | |
| 2006 | Mandya | Subramanya | |
| 2006 | Hubballi | | |
| 2006 | Aishwarya | SP Menshina Koy | |
| 2006 | Suntaragaali | "Machine" Raja "MBBS" | Also director |
| 2006 | Mata | Film Director | |
| 2007 | Parodi | | |
| 2007 | Sixer | | |
| 2007 | Anatharu | Film director | Also director, screenwriter and composer |
| 2007 | Amrutha Vaani | | |
| 2007 | Snehana Preethina | | |
| 2008 | Meravanige | | |
| 2008 | Mast Maja Maadi | Bond DK | |
| 2008 | Kaamannana Makkalu | Huliraya | |
| 2008 | PUC | | |
| 2008 | Nee Tata Naa Birla | | |
| 2008 | Sangama | | |
| 2009 | Gilli | | |
| 2009 | Lift Kodla | Bogananda Swamy | |
| 2009 | Devaru Kotta Thangi | | |
| 2009 | Tabbali | | |
| 2009 | Dubai Babu | | |
| 2009 | Raam | Santosh | |
| 2009 | Vayuputra | | |
| 2009 | Savaari | | |
| 2009 | Male Barali Manju Irali | | |
| 2009 | Devru | | |
| 2009 | Rajani | | |
| 2010 | Preethiya Theru | | |
| 2010 | Deadly-2 | | |
| 2010 | Prithvi | Tirupathi | |
| 2010 | Kari Chirathe | | |
| 2010 | Shourya | Jimson | |
| 2010 | Mr. Theertha | | Also director |
| 2010 | Hoo | | |
| 2010 | Porki | Sadhu | |
| 2010 | Hendtheer Darbar | | |
| 2010 | Zamana | | |
| 2010 | Aithalakkadi | | |
| 2010 | Veera | | |
| 2010 | Ullasa Utsaha | | |
| 2010 | Jothegara | | |
| 2010 | O Manase | | |
| 2010 | Hara | | |
| 2010 | Super | Chaddi brother | |
| 2011 | Johny Mera Naam Preethi Mera Kaam | Dr. Halappa | |
| 2011 | Manasology | | |
| 2011 | Aata | Football coach | |
| 2011 | Achchu Mechchu | | |
| 2012 | Toofan | | |
| 2012 | Romeo | Pandu | |
| 2012 | Jaanu | | |
| 2012 | Anarkali | | |
| 2012 | Mr. 420 | | |
| 2012 | Lucky | Sadhu | |
| 2012 | Snehitaru | | |
| 2012 | Gokula Krishna | | |
| 2012 | Yaare Koogadali | Shishupala | SIIMA Award for Best Comedian (Kannada) |
| 2013 | Victory | Sadhu Gowda | |
| 2013 | Bhajarangi | | |
| 2013 | Dilwala | | |
| 2013 | Googly | Musthafa | Nominated, SIIMA Award for Best Comedian |
| 2013 | Sweety Nanna Jodi | | |
| 2013 | Loosegalu | | |
| 2013 | Auto Raja | | |
| 2013 | Myna | Beggar in train | |
| 2013 | Chandra | Andy Roberts | Bilingual film (Kannada, Tamil) |
| 2013 | Ninnindale | Lucky | |
| 2013 | Election | | |
| 2013 | Bachchan | Jewellery store staff | |
| 2013 | Aane Pataaki | Chinnadappa | |
| 2013 | Madarangi | | |
| 2013 | Devarane | | |
| 2013 | Bangari | | |
| 2013 | Khatarnak | | |
| 2013 | Chaddi Dosth | Khadim | |
| 2013 | Shravani Subramanya | Govinda | |
| 2014 | Maanikya | Veeraprathapa Simha | |
| 2014 | Mr. and Mrs. Ramachari | Manche Gowda | IIFA Award for Best Comedian (Kannada) Nominated, SIIMA Award for Best Comedian (Kannada) |
| 2014 | Chandralekha | | |
| 2014 | Brahma | Sadhu | |
| 2014 | Gajakesari | Chuncha | |
| 2014 | Love Is Poison | | |
| 2014 | Power | Kidney Kamangi | |
| 2014 | Savaari 2 | | |
| 2014 | Tirupathi Express | Indrajala | |
| 2015 | Ond Chance Kodi | | |
| 2015 | Mythri | | |
| 2015 | Ranna | Bhaskar | |
| 2015 | Aatagara | Sadhu Maharaj | |
| 2015 | 1st Rank Raju | Shani Kapoor | |
| 2015 | Mr. Airavata | Bahubali | |
| 2016 | Kathe Chitrakathe Nirdeshana Puttanna | | |
| 2016 | Maduveya Mamatheya Kareyole | | |
| 2016 | Mast Mohabbat | | |
| 2016 | Viraat | | |
| 2016 | Shivalinga | Bill Gates | |
| 2016 | Bhale Jodi | | Also director, composer |
| 2016 | U the end A | | |
| 2016 | Supari Surya | | |
| 2016 | Jai Maruthi 800 | Kalberke | |
| 2016 | Chakravyuha | Sadhu | |
| 2016 | Style King | Sadhu | |
| 2016 | Brahma Vishnu Maheshwara | | |
| 2016 | Jaggu Dada | Sorcerer | |
| 2016 | Jigarthanda | Acting teacher | |
| 2016 | Lakshmana | | |
| 2016 | Zoom | M. Janakiram "MJ" | Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor – Kannada |
| 2016 | Bhujanga | | |
| 2016 | Deal Raja | | |
| 2016 | Kotigobba 2 | Bus passenger | Bilingual film (Kannada, Tamil) |
| 2016 | Crazy Boy | Drama teacher | |
| 2016 | Happy Birthday | | |
| 2016 | Mungaru Male 2 | Nandini's uncle | Nominated, SIIMA Award for Best Comedian |
| 2017 | Lee | | |
| 2017 | Hai | | |
| 2017 | Raajakumara | Anthony Gonsales | |
| 2017 | Real Police | | |
| 2017 | Bangara s/o Bangarada Manushya | | |
| 2017 | Dandupalya 2 | | |
| 2017 | Bharjari | Loveguru | |
| 2017 | Chamak | | |
| 2017 | Mahanubhavaru | | |
| 2017 | Mufti | Model | |
| 2017 | Upendra Matte Baa | Atmananda | |
| 2018 | Kanaka | | |
| 2018 | Sanjeeva | | |
| 2018 | Preethiya Raayabhari | | |
| 2018 | O Premave | | |
| 2018 | Johnny Johnny Yes Papa | Dr. Halappa | |
| 2018 | Huccha 2 | | |
| 2018 | Seizer | | |
| 2018 | Double Engine | | |
| 2018 | Ayogya | Bhairathi Gundkal | |
| 2018 | Snehave Preethi | | |
| 2018 | Victory 2 | Sadhu Gowda | Nominated—SIIMA Award for Best Comedian – Kannada |
| 2018 | Sur Sur Batthi | | |
| 2018 | Thayige Thakka Maga | Trainer of camp | |
| 2018 | Tharakasura | | |
| 2018 | Looty | | |
| 2018 | Orange | Kodanda | |
| 2019 | Amar | Amar's uncle | |
| 2019 | Anushka | Inspector Ajith Kumar IPS | |
| 2019 | Natasaarvabhowma | Namadev | |
| 2019 | Yajamana | Captain | SIIMA Award For Best Comedian – Kannada |
| 2019 | Londonalli Lambodhara | Sadhu | |
| 2019 | Yada Yada Hi Dharmasya | | |
| 2019 | Gara | | |
| 2019 | Adyaksha in America | Jimmy Carter | |
| 2019 | Bharaate | Radha's uncle | |
| 2019 | Mane Maratakkide | Raghava | |
| 2020 | Mayabazar 2016 | Pataki Pandu | |
| 2020 | Drona | | |
| 2021 | Yuvarathnaa | Dr. Kokila Raman | |
| 2021 | Ranam | | |
| 2021 | Mugilpete | | |
| 2021 | Sakath | Sadhu | |
| 2021 | Arjun Gowda | | |
| 2022 | James | Santhosh's assistant | |
| 2022 | Home Minister | | |
| 2022 | Trikona | | |
| 2022 | Mata | | |
| 2022 | Triple Riding | Garuda | |
| 2023 | Love Birds | |
| 2023 | Kranti | Kranti's aide | |
| 2023 | Kick | Judge | Tamil film |
| 2023 | Sreemanta | | |
| 2024 | Just Pass | | |
| 2024 | Night Curfew | Sadhu | |
| 2024 | Mafia | Ugra Prathap | |
| 2024 | Krishnam Pranaya Sakhi | | |
| 2024 | Karki Nanu BA, LLB | | |
| 2024 | UI | Joker | |

### As director

| Years | Film | Notes |
| 2003 | Raktha Kanneeru | |
| 2005 | Rakshasa | |
| 2006 | Suntaragaali | |
| 2007 | Anatharu | |
| 2008 | Gange Baare Thunge Baare | |
| 2009 | Devru | |
| 2010 | Mr. Theertha | |
| 2010 | Shourya | |
| 2011 | Police Story 3 | Co-director |
| 2014 | Super Ranga | |
| 2016 | Bhale Jodi | |

## Discography
### As composer

| Year | Film | Notes |
| 1993 | Shhh! | |
| 1994 | Curfew | |
| 1994 | Asha Jyoti | |
| 1994 | Gandugali | |
| 1995 | Mangalya Sakshi | |
| 1995 | Savyasachi | |
| 1995 | Ohhoo | |
| 1995 | Mother India | |
| 1995 | Priya O... Priya | |
| 1995 | Bal Nan Maga | |
| 1995 | Betegara | |
| 1995 | Aata Hudugata | |
| 1995 | Thavaru Beegaru | |
| 1995 | Nighatha | |
| 1995 | Nishchithartha | |
| 1995 | Kavya | |
| 1995 | Shiva | |
| 1995 | Emergency | |
| 1996 | Ibbara Naduve Muddina Aata | |
| 1996 | Gajanura Gandu | |
| 1996 | Dhani | |
| 1996 | Shrimathi Kalyana | |
| 1996 | Simhadri | |
| 1997 | Dhairya | |
| 1997 | Jackie Chan | |
| 1998 | Hello Yama | |
| 1998 | Karnataka Police | |
| 1998 | Yamalokadalli Veerappan | |
| 1999 | No 1 | |
| 2000 | Ticket! Ticket!! | |
| 2000 | Kiladi | |
| 2000 | Swalpa Adjust Madkolli | |
| 2002 | Majestic | |
| 2002 | H2O | |
| 2002 | Kitty | |
| 2003 | Laali Haadu | |
| 2003 | Raktha Kanneeru | |
| 2003 | Daasa | |
| 2004 | Rowdy Aliya | Guest composer |
| 2004 | Darshan | |
| 2004 | Y2K | |
| 2005 | Rakshasa | Karnataka State Film Award for Best Music Director |
| 2005 | Masala | |
| 2005 | Deadly Soma | |
| 2005 | Sakha Sakhi | |
| 2006 | Suntaragaali | |
| 2006 | Thangigagi | |
| 2008 | Inthi Ninna Preethiya | Karnataka State Film Award for Best Music Director |
| 2009 | Devru | |
| 2009 | Jaaji Mallige | |
| 2010 | Aithalakkadi | |
| 2010 | Hendtheer Darbar | |
| 2010 | Shourya | |
| 2011 | Aata | |
| 2011 | Sanju Weds Geetha | Background score only |
| 2011 | Police Story 3 | Background score only |
| 2012 | Edegarike | Also playback singer for song "Neenondu Mugiyada Mouna" Udaya Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer |
| 2013 | Myna | Background score only |
| 2013 | Tony | |
| 2013 | Khatarnak | |
| 2014 | Anarkali | |
| 2015 | Rathavara | |
| 2016 | Bhale Jodi | |
| 2016 | Golisoda | Background score only |
| 2016 | Kiragoorina Gayyaligalu | |
| 2016 | Masti Gudi | |
| 2017 | Uppi Rupee | |
| 2018 | Rajasimha | Background score only |

## Awards and nominations
### Karnataka State Film Awards

* 2004–05: Best Music Director: Rakshasa
* 2007–08: Best Music Director: Inthi Ninna Preethiya

### South Indian International Movie Awards

* 2011: Best Comedian: Hudugaru
* 2012: Best Comedian: Yaare Koogadali

### IIFA Utsavam

* 2016: Best Performance In A Comic Role: Mr. and Mrs. Ramachari

### South Indian International Movie Awards

* 2019: Best Comedian: Yajamana