Sharatchandra Lohithaswa (born 5 May 1972),^[2] 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.^[3]

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."^[4] 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."^[3] 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.^[4]

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).^[3] 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.^[1] 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.^[4] Work in Kicchu and Chidambara Rahasya led him to become a popular face in Kannada television.^[5]

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".^[6] He received multiple awards for his performance,^[7] including the South Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor.^[8]

Sharath's debut in Tamil films came with Ethir Neechal.^[4] 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.^[9] For his performance in Matthe Satyagraha (2014), he received the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actor.^[3]

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Karnataka State Film Awards

• 2013: Best Supporting Actor: Matthe Satyagraha

Udaya Sunfeast Awards

• 2008 - Won—Best Villain Award for Aa Dinagalu^[12]

Airtel Kasturi Awards

• 2008 - Won—Best Villain Award for Aa Dinagalu^[12]

Mysore Minerals' Awards

• 2008 - Won—Best Supporting Actor for Aa Dinagalu^[12]

Filmfare Awards

• 2008 - Won—Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor in Kannada cinema for Aa Dinagalu^[12][13]
• 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^[14]

Bangalore Times Film Awards 2012

• 2012 - Nominated—Best Actor in a Negative Role for Bheema Theeradalli^[15]

• Sharath Lohithaswa at IMDb