# Srinath (Kannada actor)

Narayana Swamy (born 28 December 1943), known by his stage name Srinath, is an Indian actor and film producer who works predominantly in Kannada cinema. He holds the position of vice-president of the Kannada television channel Udaya TV. He is popular for presenting the Game Show, Adarsha Dampatigalu (Kannada: ಆದರ್ಶ ದಂಪತಿಗಳು). Srinath has earned the nickname Pranaya Raja meaning 'King of Romance' because of his stupendous success in romantic movies during the 70s. In 2003, he was conferred the ‛Kalaratna’ Award by the Government of Karnataka.

## Early life

Narayana Swamy was born on 28 December 1943 to Ramaswamy Shastri and Lalita in Mysore, in the Kingdom of Mysore of India. Initially, he acted in amateur plays and practiced cinematography in Occupational Institute in Bangalore. He entered films with a small role in the Kannada movie Lagna Pathrike. After that, he got a chance to play the main role in a film called Madhura Milana and his name was changed to Srinath. In 1975 the stupendous success of the cult movie Shubhamangala by Puttanna Kanagal made him a popular hero in Kannada cinema.

## Career
### Film and television

Srinath has acted in over 350 films. Shubhamangala (ಶುಭ ಮಂಗಳ) is his biggest hit. He has won the State award as best actor for Sri Raghavendra Vaibhava and the Filmfare award for Besuge (ಬೆಸುಗೆ). In 1982 he had produced Maanasa Sarovara (ಮಾನಸ ಸರೋವರ) for his mentor Puttanna Kanagal. Srinath was also preparing to direct a Kannada movie. He formed a popular pair with top actress Manjula with whom he acted in a record 35 films during the 1970s and 80s.
Srinath was the Vice President of the Udaya TV Kannada Channel and hosted the Game Show Adarsha Dampatigalu (Kannada: ಆದರ್ಶ ದಂಪತಿಗಳು). He still continues to act in films and TV serials.

### Politics

Srinath was nominated by Bharatiya Janata Party as member of legislative council from the artiste fraternity for a period of six years.

## Awards and honours

In the year of 1980-81 he was honored by the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actor for his effective portrayal of the role of Raghavendra in the movie Sri Raghavendra Vaibhava. In year 2003, Srinath was honoured with the Kalaratna (Gem of Art) award by Adarsha Suguma Sangeeta Academy Trust, in Bangalore. The award was honoured by S.M. Shankar, the brother of S.M. Krishna, the then Chief Minister of Karnataka. In the same year, Srinath was honoured with the prestigious Karnataka Rajyotsava Award given by the Government of Karnataka. Then in 2013 Karnataka State Film Awards, he's honored by the prestigious Dr. Rajkumar Award for his lifetime achievement to Kannada Cinema. After completing 100 films he was given the title "Abhinaya Chakravarthy"in 1982. He is also a recipient of Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South in 2024.

## Personal life

Srinath is the younger brother of renowned Kannada theatre artist as well as film actor and writer C. R. Simha. Srinath is married to Geetha Srinath. The couple have two children, a son and a daughter. His son Rohit has acted in several Kannada movies as a child artist. His daughter Amulya currently lives in the U.S. with her husband and three daughters.

## Contribution to society

Srinath has set up a charitable trust called Deeya Art Foundation, to provide a helping-hand to the poor and needy who are affected by diseases like cancer, HIV and heart-related ailments. Among the objectives of the foundation are:
* Organising entertainment programs exclusively for cancer-affected patients
* Free health check-up camps
* Fund-raising camps for the physically handicapped
* Service activities at old-age homes
* Blood donation camps
* Free supply of medicines and nutritional food

## Partial filmography

| Year | Film Title | Role | Notes |
| 1967 | Lagna Patrike | Stage actor | |
| 1969 | Madhura Milana | Sundar | First film as lead |
| 1970 | Anireekshita | Somanath | |
| 1970 | Boregowda Bangalorige Banda | Raja | |
| 1970 | Mooru Mutthugalu | | |
| 1970 | Modala Rathri | Anand | |
| 1970 | Rangamahal Rahasya | | |
| 1970 | Seetha | | |
| 1970 | Sukha Samsara | | |
| 1970 | Takka Bitre Sikka | | |
| 1971 | Anugraha | | |
| 1971 | Bhale Adrushtavo Adrushta | | |
| 1971 | Onde Kula Onde Daiva | | |
| 1971 | Sri Krishna Rukmini Satyabhama | Narada | |
| 1971 | Sharapanjara | Sudheer | Cameo |
| 1971 | Samshaya Phala | | |
| 1971 | Thande Makkalu | | |
| 1972 | Bangaarada Manushya | Chakrapani | |
| 1972 | Bhale Huchcha | Naganna | |
| 1972 | Naa Mechida Huduga | N. Gopinath Rao | |
| 1973 | Devaru Kotta Thangi | Ramu | |
| 1973 | Mooroovare Vajragalu | Krutavarma |
| 1974 | Naanu Balabeku | | |
| 1974 | Chamundeshwari Mahime | | |
| 1975 | Ninagagi Naanu | | |
| 1975 | Mayura | Prince | |
| 1975 | Nireekshe | | |
| 1975 | Shubhamangala | Prabhakar | |
| 1976 | Aparadhi | | |
| 1976 | Baduku Bangaaravaayitu | | |
| 1976 | Besuge | Venu | Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Kannada |
| 1976 | Kanasu Nanasu | | |
| 1976 | Vijayavani | | |
| 1976 | Hudugaatada Hudugi | | |
| 1977 | Devara Duddu | | |
| 1977 | Kakana Kote | | |
| 1977 | Pavana Ganga | | |
| 1977 | Maagiya Kanasu | | |
| 1977 | Sri Renukadevi Mahatme | | |
| 1978 | Madhura Sangama | | |
| 1978 | Vasanta Lakshmi | | |
| 1978 | Kiladi Jodi | | |
| 1978 | Muyyige Muyyi | Santosh | |
| 1978 | Halli Haida | | |
| 1979 | Akramana | | |
| 1979 | Dharmasere | Maadhu | |
| 1979 | Pakka Kalla | | |
| 1979 | Preethi Madu Tamashe Nodu | | |
| 1979 | Putani Agent 123 | | |
| 1980 | Manjina Tere | | |
| 1980 | Shri Raghavendra Vaibhava | | Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actor |
| 1980 | Haddina Kannu | Vinod | |
| 1980 | Pattanakke Banda Patniyaru | | |
| 1980 | Rama Parashurama | | |
| 1980 | Point Parimala | | |
| 1981 | Koodi Balidare Swarga Sukha | | |
| 1981 | Shikari | | |
| 1981 | Etu Eduretu | | |
| 1981 | Prema Pallavi | | |
| 1981 | Number 5 Ekka | | |
| 1981 | Premanubandha | | |
| 1982 | Adhrushtavanta | | |
| 1982 | Garuda Rekhe | | |
| 1982 | Tony | Prasad | |
| 1982 | Guna Nodi Hennu Kodu | | |
| 1982 | Hasyaratna Ramakrishna | Krishnadevaraya | |
| 1982 | Maanasa Sarovara | Dr. Anand | |
| 1983 | Chandi Chamundi | | |
| 1983 | Aakrosha | | |
| 1983 | Dharani Mandala Madhyadolage | Manohar Nayak | |
| 1983 | Sri Nanjundeshwara Mahime | | |
| 1984 | Baddi Bangaramma | | |
| 1984 | Eradu Rekhegalu | | |
| 1984 | Gandu Bherunda | Raju | |
| 1984 | Samayada Gombe | Sqn Ldr Vinod Kumar | |
| 1984 | Pooja Phala | | |
| 1984 | Preethi Vatsalya | | |
| 1984 | Shravana Banthu | Vishwa | |
| 1984 | Ajnatavasa | | |
| 1984 | Yarivanu | | |
| 1985 | Kunkuma Tanda Sowbhagya | | |
| 1985 | Mugila Mallige | | |
| 1985 | Sati Sakkubai | | |
| 1986 | Mouna Geethe | | |
| 1986 | Aparadhi Nanalla | Prakash | |
| 1986 | Nannavaru | | |
| 1986 | Saavira Sullu | | |
| 1987 | Divijaya | | |
| 1987 | Dance Raja Dance | | |
| 1987 | Hridaya Pallavi | | |
| 1987 | Manasa Veene | | |
| 1987 | Poornachandra | | |
| 1988 | Sangliyana | Director general of police | |
| 1988 | Baalondu Bhavageethe | | |
| 1988 | Vijaya Khadga | | |
| 1988 | Krishna Mechchida Radhe | | |
| 1988 | Mathru Vatsalya | Srinath | |
| 1989 | Padmavyuha | | |
| 1989 | Idu Saadhya | Ganesh | |
| 1989 | Aananthara | | |
| 1989 | Gagana | | |
| 1989 | Gajapathi Garvabhanga | Ananthu | |
| 1989 | Ade Raaga Ade Haadu | | |
| 1990 | Ajay Vijay | | |
| 1990 | Ashwamedha | Dayanand | |
| 1991 | Garuda Dhwaja | | |
| 1991 | Thavarumane Udugore | | |
| 1991 | Kaliyuga Bheema | | |
| 1991 | Shanti Kranti | Commissioner of Police | Bilingual (Kannada, Telugu) film |
| 1991 | Aralida Hoovugalu | | |
| 1991 | Navataare | | |
| 1991 | Neenu Nakkare Haalu Sakkare | Pavan Kumar | |
| 1991 | SP Bhargavi | | |
| 1991 | Rowdy & MLA | | |
| 1991 | Police Matthu Daada | | |
| 1991 | Mangalya | | |
| 1992 | Gruhalakshmi | | |
| 1992 | Sriramachandra | | |
| 1992 | Malashree Mamashree | | |
| 1992 | Midida Shruthi | Sampath | |
| 1992 | Purushotthama | | |
| 1993 | Vikram | Chandrakanth | |
| 1993 | Annayya | Manjunathayya | |
| 1993 | Bhagwan Sri Sai Baba | Gangabhava | |
| 1993 | Mahendra Varma | Ashok | |
| 1993 | Chinnari Mutha | | |
| 1993 | Karulina Koogu | | |
| 1993 | Jaga Mechida Huduga | Mohan Rao | |
| 1994 | Beda Krishna Ranginaata | | |
| 1994 | Indrana Gedda Narendra | | |
| 1995 | Srigandha | | |
| 1995 | Gadibidi Aliya | | |
| 1995 | Mana Midiyithu | | |
| 1996 | Annavra Makkalu | | |
| 1996 | Korukunna Priyudu | | Telugu film |
| 1997 | Prema Raga Haadu Gelathi | | |
| 1998 | Mr. Putsami | | |
| 1998 | My Dear Tiger | Police Commissioner | |
| 1999 | Swasthik | | |
| 2000 | Yare Nee Abhimani | | |
| 2001 | Yuvaraja | Vishwanath | |
| 2001 | Premakke Sai | | |
| 2002 | Chandu | Vidya's father | |
| 2002 | Dhumm | Varada and Shankar's father | |
| 2002 | Manasella Neene | Mohan Rao | |
| 2003 | Neenandre Ishta | | |
| 2003 | Hrudayavantha | | |
| 2004 | Poorvapara | | |
| 2004 | Nalla | Preethi's father | |
| 2005 | Sye | Chakri's father | |
| 2006 | Dattha | Shantiveerappa | |
| 2006 | Ajay | Padma's father | |
| 2006 | Sirivantha | Subbu | |
| 2008 | Satya in Love | | |
| 2009 | Josh | Meera's father | |
| 2009 | Raam | Raghunath Prasad | |
| 2010 | Kiccha Huccha | Aishwarya's father | |
| 2011 | Prema Chandrama | | |
| 2011 | Keratam/Yuvan | | Telugu/Tamil film |
| 2012 | Bhageerathi | Mallanagowda | |
| 2013 | Andhar Bahar | | |
| 2013 | Chandra | Maharaja | |
| 2013 | Mandahasa | | |
| 2014 | Mr. and Mrs. Ramachari | Venkatesh | |
| 2015 | Narayana Saw Me | | short film; Best Actor Celebrity Appearance - 3rd ISFFB |
| 2016 | Suli | Buden Sahab | |
| 2017 | Bangara s/o Bangarada Manushya | Physician | Cameo |
| 2019 | Muniratna Kurukshetra | Dhritarashtra | |
| 2022 | Gaalipata 2 | College principal | |

## Television

| Year | Title | Role | Channel | Note |
| 2012–2013 | Thyagam | Thirumalai | Sun TV | Tamil serial |
| 2013–2015 | Bangara | | Udaya TV | |
| 2013–2014 | Anuraga Sangama | Dr. Krishnaprasad | Udaya TV | |
| 2016–2018 | Adarsha Dampatigalu | Host | Udaya TV | |
| 2018–2019 | Manasa Sarovara | Psychiatrist Dr. Anand | Udaya TV | |
| 2022–Present | Jodi No 1 | Judge | Zee Kannada | |
| 2023 | Farzi | Madhav | Amazon Prime Video | Dubbed for Kannada version; webseries |