# Sharath Lohithaswa

Sharatchandra Lohithaswa (born 5 May 1972), known popularly as Sharath Lohithaswa, is an Indian actor who works predominantly in Kannada cinema alongside some Tamil and Telugu films. He has had a successful career in theatre, where he continues to work, and television. After working as a lecturer for a brief period, Sharath took to acting as a full-time profession and worked on stage following the footsteps of his father Lohithaswa. He began working in films in 1995 and has today established himself as a character actor.

## Early life

Sharath had an inclination towards cricket and theatre as a child, and "dramatise[d] Bhagat Singh on stage when in school." He "used to read a lot of plays written by people like Kambar" and rated himself as a "fairly good singer too." He accompanied his father Lohithaswa, to his rehearsals for plays, and also took part in "many stage and radio plays before doing amateur theatre in Bengaluru." This led his father Lohithaswa to suggest that Sharath take English-language as his graduation subject. Sharath also obtained a master's degree in English from Bangalore's National College, where he also went on to work as lecturer.

## Career

After a while, "boredom and monotony" led Sharath to quit and taking to acting as a full-time profession starting with stage. He performed in Vasamsi Jirnani, based on a Marathi-language play, and Nanna Thangige Ondu Gandu Kodi among others. His made his film debut playing a bit part in M. S. Sathyu's non-commercial film, and his commercial film debut with Huliya (1996). In an interview to Deccan Herald in 2003, he recalled, "I was offered the role of Huliya for which I was supposed to sport a funny haircut. After that, I could not go into teaching again. The roles that I was offered after Huliya were repetitive. I got fed up. Fortunately or unfortunately, I met with an accident and was forced to off work for at least two to three years. Godhuli came as a major break in my career." He received appreciation for his role as Cheluvanayaka in Chi. Guru Dutt's Godhuli, also fetching him the Aryabhata Award. While he began working in films starting in 1995, it was television that gave him recognition. He appeared in Sathyu's Khayar and Poli Kitty. Work in Kicchu and Chidambara Rahasya led him to become a popular face in Kannada television.
In films, Sharath was cast as Kotwal Ramachandra in Aa Dinagalu (2007), a performance that received praise. R. G. Vijayasarathy of Rediff.com called his performance "wonderful". He received multiple awards for his performance, including the South Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Sharath's debut in Tamil films came with Ethir Neechal. He appeared in other Kannada films such as Sanju Weds Geetha (2011) and Bheema Theeradalli (2012). He is known mostly for portrayal of villainous roles in the South Indian films. For his performance in Matthe Satyagraha (2014), he received the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actor.

## Filmography
### Kannada films

| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 1996 | Huliya | Raama | |
| 1996 | Police Story | Dharma | |
| 1999 | Durga Shakthi | Shivmuttu | |
| 2003 | Paris Pranaya | | |
| 2003 | Huchana Maduveli Undone Jaana | | |
| 2003 | Singaaravva | | |
| 2003 | Khaki | Siddharth Nayak | |
| 2003 | Daasa | | |
| 2004 | Monda | | |
| 2004 | Sarvabhouma | Wasim Akram | |
| 2004 | Jyeshta | Bhadra | |
| 2005 | Giri | | |
| 2006 | Suntaragaali | | |
| 2006 | Kallarali Hoovagi | Palanayaka | |
| 2007 | Aa Dinagalu | Kotwal Ramachandra | |
| 2007 | Janapada | | |
| 2007 | Ondu Preethiya Kathe | | |
| 2008 | Mandakini | | |
| 2008 | Bidda | | |
| 2008 | Arjun | Naga | |
| 2008 | Yuga Yugagale Sagali | | |
| 2008 | Chikkamagaloora Chikka Mallige | | |
| 2009 | Kencha | Pashupathy | |
| 2009 | Nanda | | |
| 2009 | Ninnalle | | |
| 2009 | Raam | Chikkamallayya | |
| 2009 | Hatrick Hodi Maga | Kapali | |
| 2010 | Gandedhe | | |
| 2010 | Punda | Bhoja | |
| 2010 | Porki | | |
| 2010 | Thamassu | Mastan | |
| 2010 | Gundragovi | | |
| 2010 | Jugari | | |
| 2010 | Meshtru | | |
| 2010 | Nanjanagoodu Nanjunda | | |
| 2010 | Vichithra Premi | | |
| 2011 | Manasina Maathu | | |
| 2011 | Suicide | | |
| 2011 | Sanju Weds Geetha | Prakash | |
| 2011 | Rajadhani | Manohar | |
| 2011 | Saarathi | | |
| 2011 | Vishnu | | |
| 2012 | Bheema Theeradalli | Mallappa | |
| 2012 | Cyber Yugadol Nava Yuva Madhura Prema Kavyam | | |
| 2012 | Edegarike | | |
| 2012 | Gavipura | | |
| 2012 | Parie | | |
| 2012 | Sagar | | |
| 2012 | Shakti | Betappa | |
| 2012 | Shikari | | |
| 2013 | Varadhanayaka | | |
| 2013 | Gajendra | | |
| 2013 | Jinke Mari | | |
| 2013 | Kumbha Rashi | | |
| 2013 | Khatharnak | | |
| 2013 | Parari | | |
| 2013 | Bangari | | |
| 2013 | Madarangi | | |
| 2013 | Ziddi | | |
| 2013 | Sweety Nanna Jodi | | |
| 2013 | Sthree Shakthi | | |
| 2013 | Bulbul | | |
| 2013 | Kaddipudi | Shankarappa | Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor – Kannada |
| 2013 | Dilwala | | |
| 2013 | Tony | | |
| 2013 | Election | Vishwanath | |
| 2014 | Ambareesha | | |
| 2014 | Power | Minister Narasimha | |
| 2014 | Rangan Style | | |
| 2014 | Matte Satyagraha | Raje Gowda | Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actor |
| 2014 | Sadagara | | |
| 2014 | Just Love | Dheerendra Gowda | |
| 2014 | Savaari 2 | Police Commissioner | |
| 2014 | Nakara | | |
| 2014 | Usirigintha Neene Hattira | | |
| 2014 | Jaggi | | |
| 2014 | Central Jail | | |
| 2014 | Pandya | | |
| 2014 | Thirupathi Express | | |
| 2015 | Shivam | | |
| 2015 | DK | MP Shive Gowda | |
| 2015 | Mutthina Maleyali | | |
| 2015 | Nagaari | | |
| 2015 | Male Nilluvavarege | | |
| 2015 | Rebel | | |
| 2015 | Goolihatti | | |
| 2015 | Muraari | | |
| 2015 | Ranna | Veerappa | |
| 2015 | Dove | | |
| 2015 | Ganga | | |
| 2015 | Octopus | | |
| 2016 | Maduveya Mamatheya Kareyole | | |
| 2016 | Preethiyalli Sahaja | | |
| 2016 | ...Re | Gangaraja / Shobharaj | |
| 2016 | Kiragoorina Gayyaligalu | | |
| 2016 | Kala Bhairava | | |
| 2016 | Kotigobba 2 | Businessman | |
| 2017 | Chowka | | |
| 2017 | Bangara s/o Bangarada Manushya | Minister | |
| 2017 | Dada is Back | Delli | |
| 2018 | Churikatte | Anna | |
| 2018 | Dalapathi | Adhipathi | |
| 2018 | March 22 | Basavana Gowda Patil | |
| 2018 | Onthara Bannagalu | | |
| 2018 | The Villain | Ram's Father | |
| 2019 | Bazaar | Yajaman | |
| 2019 | Pailwaan | Boxing Coach Vijayendra | |
| 2019 | Bharaate | Nayaka | |
| 2019 | Odeya | Betappa | |
| 2020 | Bicchugatti: Chapter 1 − Dalvayi Dange | Obanna Nayaka | |
| 2021 | Shadow | | |
| 2022 | Bairagee | Minister | |
| 2022 | Mata | | |
| 2022 | Triple Riding | Surappa | |
| 2023 | Gowli | Inspector Kalinga | |
| 2023 | Siren | Chandra Bose | |
| 2023 | Gadhayuddha | Police Commissioner | |
| 2023 | Sapta Saagaradaache Ello – Side A | Patila | |
| 2023 | Fighter | | |
| 2023 | Tagaru Palya | | |
| 2023 | Bad Manners | ACP Gangadhar | |
| 2023 | Inamdar | SI Durga | |
| 2023 | Mayanagari | | |
| 2024 | Abbabba | Father Joseph | |
| 2024 | Chef Chidambara | Corrupt cop | |
| 2024 | Max | Parashuram | |
| 2025 | Bhuvanam Gaganam | | |

### Tamil films

| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 2013 | Ethir Neechal | Valli's father | |
| 2013 | Pandiya Naadu | Simmakal Ravi | Nominated–Vijay Award for Best Villain |
| 2015 | India Pakistan | Sampath | |
| 2015 | Massu Engira Masilamani | Anthony | |
| 2016 | Thirunaal | Naaga | |
| 2016 | Mudinja Ivana Pudi | Businessman | |
| 2016 | Kaashmora | Minister | |
| 2017 | Bairavaa | Union Minister | |
| 2017 | Bongu | Pandian | |
| 2017 | Sathriyan | Samuthiram | |
| 2017 | Karuppan | Varasanattu Perusu | |
| 2017 | Sakka Podu Podu Raja | Kasimedu Das | |
| 2017 | Velaikkaran | Doss | |
| 2017 | Ulkuthu | Kaaka Mani | |
| 2022 | Veerapandiyapuram | Rathnasamy, AKP | Dual roles |
| 2023 | Rudhran | Varadha | |
| 2023 | Kazhuvethi Moorkkan | Prithvi Kumar | |
| 2023 | 800 | T. K. Hanaan | |
| 2024 | Miss You | Minister Singaraayar | |

### Telugu films

| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 2017 | Jai Lava Kusa | Misra | Cameo |
| 2018 | Aravinda Sametha Veera Raghava | Lashma Reddy | |
| 2019 | Saaho | Mani | |
| 2021 | Akhanda | Krishnamacharya Perumal | |
| 2022 | Sivudu | | Dual roles |
| 2023 | Vinaro Bhagyamu Vishnu Katha | Rajan | |
| 2023 | Ugram | Narasimhareddy Patel | |
| 2023 | Kalyanamasthu | | |
| 2023 | Skanda | Ranjith Reddy | |

### Other language films

| Year | Film | Role | Language | Notes |
| 2012 | Shikari | | Malayalam | |
| 2017 | Ambar Caterers | | Tulu | |
| 2019 | Saaho | Mani | Hindi | Partially reshot in Tamil |

### Web series

| Year | Film | Role | Language | Network | Ref. |
| 2023 | Sengalam | Sivagnyanam | Tamil | ZEE5 | |

## Awards

Karnataka State Film Awards
* 2013: Best Supporting Actor: Matthe Satyagraha
Udaya Sunfeast Awards
* 2008 - Won—Best Villain Award for Aa Dinagalu
Airtel Kasturi Awards
* 2008 - Won—Best Villain Award for Aa Dinagalu
Mysore Minerals' Awards
* 2008 - Won—Best Supporting Actor for Aa Dinagalu
Filmfare Awards
* 2008 - Won—Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor in Kannada cinema for Aa Dinagalu
* 2013 - Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor - Kannada for Kaddipudi
South Indian International Movie Awards
* 2012: Nominated, Best Actor in a Negative Role – Kannada: Bheema Theeradalli
* 2014: Nominated, Best Actor in a Negative Role – Kannada: Ambareesha
Santosham Film Awards
* 2012 - Won—Best Supporting Actor - Kannada: Bheema Theeradalli
Bangalore Times Film Awards 2012
* 2012 - Nominated—Best Actor in a Negative Role for Bheema Theeradalli