Sathish Ninasam

Sathish Ninasam Biography

Sathish Ninasam is an Indian actor who appears in Kannada films. He takes his screen name from Ninasam, the theatre institute at Heggodu in Karnataka’s Shivamogga district, where he completed a diploma course in acting. He made his film debut with Madesha (2008) and became a leading man with Lucia (2013).

Before entering films he acted in street plays, performing more than a hundred shows across villages and towns in Karnataka, and joined an amateur theatre group called Janadhani. His first play with the troupe was Smashana Kurukshetra, written by Kuvempu, in which he played Dharmaraya. After completing the Ninasam diploma he performed in several plays across Karnataka before moving to Bangalore in 2006. He then appeared in Kannada television serials such as Paramapada and Takadimitha for about a year before beginning his film career.

Sathish appeared in small but significant roles in Manasaare (2009), Pancharangi (2010), Lifeu Ishtene (2011) and Anna Bond (2012) before his performance in Drama (2012) brought him wide recognition. He made his debut as a hero in the psychological drama Lucia (2013), which premiered at the London Indian Film Festival and won its best film award. Love in Mandya (2014) brought him the Santosham Award for Best Hero, and in November 2015 he turned producer with Rocket under the banner Sathish Picture House, a role that also won him the SIIMA Award for Best Actor (Critics). His performance in Ayogya (2018) won the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor – Kannada.

Basic Details

• Screen Name: Sathish Ninasam
• Profession: Actor, film producer
• Industry: Kannada cinema (Sandalwood)
• Nationality: Indian
• Origin: Karnataka, India
• Years Active: 2008 – present
• Training: Diploma in acting, Ninasam theatre institute, Heggodu, Karnataka
• Debut Film: Madesha (2008)
• Breakthrough: Drama (2012); lead-actor debut in Lucia (2013)
• Production Banner: Sathish Picture House

Career Highlights