Sujan Lokesh

Biography

**Srujan Lokesh** (born 28 June 1980) is an Indian film actor, television presenter, radio presenter, and producer who predominantly works in the Kannada entertainment industry. Celebrated for his quick wit, spontaneous humor, and engaging hosting style, he is one of the most recognizable and beloved personalities on Kannada television and the silver screen.

Srujan belongs to one of the most illustrious and historic families in Kannada cinema and theatre. His grandfather, Gubbi Veeranna theatre company stalwart M. V. Subbaiah Naidu, is a monumental figure credited as the lead actor of the first Kannada sound film *Sati Sulochana* (1934). His father, the late Lokesh, was a legendary national-award-winning veteran actor and theatre pioneer, while his mother, Girija Lokesh, is a widely respected veteran film and television actress. Growing up immersed in this rich performing arts lineage, Srujan made early appearances as a child artist in acclaimed films such as *Veerappan* (1991) and *Bhujangayyana Dashavathara* (1991).

He made his debut as a mainstream leading actor with the romantic drama *Neela Megha Shyama* (2002). Over the years, he carved out a niche in cinema by taking on leading, supporting, and comic roles across various commercial films, including *Porki* (2010), *Snehitharu* (2012), *Aane Pataaki* (2013), *Jaggu Dada* (2016), and *Ghost* (2023). Beyond acting, he made his feature film directorial debut with the sci-fi horror-comedy *Ghost* (2024), where he also served as the lead actor and producer.

Despite his active presence in cinema, Srujan attained unprecedented household fame and iconic pop culture status through his work on Kannada television. He became a household fixture after hosting popular reality and entertainment shows such as *Maja Talkies*, *Kaas Gey Toss*, and *Chota Champion*. In particular, *Maja Talkies*, produced under his home banner Lokesh Productions, ran for hundreds of episodes and became one of the most viewed comedy variety shows in Karnataka television history, cementing his status as the undisputed king of regional comedy talk shows.

Balancing film production, direction, and long-running television ventures, he continues to carry forward his family's artistic legacy while remaining a dynamic powerhouse of entertainment in Karnataka.