Wikipedia

Sumukha

Sumukha (born September 9) is an Indian actor working primarily in Kannada cinema. He is best known for his performances in films such as Yaanaa (2019), Physics Teacher (2022), and Manada Kadalu (2025).

Sumukha
Sumukha in 2026
BornSeptember 9
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Alma materThe Valley School
Occupations
  • Actor
  • Director
Years active2017–present
Spouse
Maitri Uka
​
(m. 2026)​
Parent(s)Shashi Kumar (father)
Nanditha Yadav (mother)

Early life and background

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Sumukha was born in Bengaluru, Karnataka to actor Shashi Kumar[1] and filmmaker Nanditha Yadav.[2][3] He began his acting journey at the age of 10, appearing as a child actor in films, television, and theatre productions.[4] Growing up in a family rooted in the performing arts, he developed a strong foundation in acting and storytelling from an early age. After completing his schooling at The Valley School in Bengaluru, he relocated to Mumbai, Maharashtra to further develop his acting skills and pursue professional opportunities in theatre and film.[5][6]

Theatre career

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Sumukha has performed in theatre productions at venues including Prithvi Theatre and National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) in Mumbai, as well as Ranga Shankara and Ravindra Kalakshetra in Bengaluru, contributing to his early development as an actor.[6][7]

Film career

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Sumukha made his film debut with the Kannada coming-of-age drama Yaanaa, in which he played a central role. A review in Bangalore Mirror noted that he "impresses the most" among the cast.[8][9]

In 2022, Sumukha starred in Physics Teacher, a philosophical drama that also marked his debut as a writer and director. The film was officially selected for the Bangalore International Film Festival (BIFFES).[10][11] He later appeared in Manada Kadalu directed by Yogaraj Bhat, marking his transition into mainstream commercial cinema.[12] The film was described as a significant milestone in his career by critics, earning him recognition as a leading actor in Kannada cinema.[13][14] In an interview, he shared that the project enabled him to embrace a broader audience while continuing to uphold his artistic sensibilities.[15]

He is set to appear in upcoming projects including the bilingual film Rajasthan Diaries, which is set against the backdrop of the desert state and explores themes of identity and belonging.[16] Other reported projects include a rugged thriller directed by Sanjay KK, a slapstick comedy by Pannaga Bharana and a project with Myra Productions.[17][18] In interviews, he has expressed a preference for roles that emphasise long-term artistic growth.[19]

Sumukha has also appeared in the Hindi-language teleplays Shobha Yatra (2018) and Shadyantra (2022), presented by Zee Theatre.[20][21]

Personal life

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His mother, Nanditha Yadav, is a state award-winning director, recognized for her work on the film Raju, which won the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Story.[22][23] In February 2026, Sumukha married Maitri Uka, an architect from Mumbai, in a private ceremony in Rishikesh.[24][25]

Filmography

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Key
† Denotes films that have not yet been released

Film

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Year Title Role(s) Language Notes Ref.
2017 Raju Kannada [4]
2019 Yaanaa Varun [9]
2022 Physics Teacher Badri Also writer and director [4]
2025 Manada Kadalu Sumukha [13]
TBA Rajasthan Diaries † Ved Kannada, Marathi Post-production [2]
TBA Untitled † Maya Kannada, Malayalam Pre-production [18]
TBA Untitled † Kannada Pannaga Bharana film in Pre-production [17]

Television

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Year Title Role(s) Language Notes Ref.
2017 Agnipankh Yashwant Hindi Teleplay on Zee Theatre [26]
2018 Shobha Yatra Babu Genu [20]
Vaastav [27]
2022 Shadyantra Shashank [21]

Theatre

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Year Title Role(s) Language Notes Ref.
2018 Janpath Kiss Hindi Assistant director
2019 Hamidabai Ki Kothi Assistant director

Web Series

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Year Title Role(s) Language Notes Ref.
2021 Namma Oorina Rasikaru Kannada [28]

Awards and nominations

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Award Year Category Work Result Ref.
Chittara Star Awards 2026 Promising Star Male Manada Kadalu Won [29]
Best Lead Pair Of The Year Nominated

References

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  1. ↑ Sumukha speaks about Physics Teacher at BIFFES. YouTube. BookMyShow. 7 March 2022. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
  2. 1 2 "Shooting for Rajasthan Diaries to kickstart on Ugadi". The New Indian Express. 2 April 2019. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  3. ↑ "Sumukha nurtures the writer in him during the lockdown". The Times of India. 18 May 2021. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 "Physics Teacher marks the directorial debut of actor Sumukha". The New Indian Express. 26 May 2022. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
  5. ↑ "I want roles that challenge traditional masculinity: Sumukha". The Times of India. 13 December 2024. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
  6. 1 2 Laisram, Romal (1 November 2025). "Kannada Rajyotsava with Sandalwood actor Sumukha: Celebrating cultural pride!". Indulge Express. The New Indian Express. Retrieved 4 November 2025.
  7. ↑ Yaanaa movie release - Sumukha interview. YouTube. BookMyShow. 1 April 2019. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
  8. ↑ "Yaanaa movie review: This flick is unusual for a Kannada film". Bangalore Mirror. 14 July 2019. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
  9. 1 2 "Yaanaa movie: Sumukha's debut". Daijiworld. 5 July 2019. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  10. ↑ "Physics Teacher explores the subject of reality vs illusion". OTTPlay. 28 May 2022. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  11. ↑ "Physics Teacher trailer: A tale of bonafide science and rationality that turns on its head to become a thriller". OTTPlay. 28 May 2022. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
  12. ↑ "Sumukha: With Manada Kadalu, there is no looking back". The New Indian Express. 27 March 2025. Retrieved 27 March 2025.
  13. 1 2 "Manada Kadalu review: Yogaraj Bhat's romance marks a slow but sure return to form". The News Minute. 29 March 2025. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
  14. ↑ "Manada Kadalu review: Yogaraj Bhat's comeback film". The Hindu. 28 March 2025. Retrieved 28 March 2025.
  15. ↑ "Sumukha: Manada Kadalu has allowed me to enter that commercial space". Cinema Express. 23 December 2024. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
  16. ↑ "Rajasthan Diaries to be dubbed in Telugu and Hindi". The Times of India. 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  17. 1 2 "I no longer want to play it safe as an actor: Sumukha Kumar". The Times of India. 11 September 2025. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  18. 1 2 "It is going to be a colourful year with a new slate of films: Sumukha". The New Indian Express. 9 September 2025. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
  19. ↑ "No resolutions, just clarity, says Sumukha on his year ahead". The Times of India. 6 January 2026. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
  20. 1 2 "Experience patriotic fervour with these stirring films and teleplays". Deccan Chronicle. 26 January 2023. Retrieved 12 April 2025.
  21. 1 2 "Hina Khan, Chandan Roy Sanyal and Kunaal Roy Kapur to star in murder mystery Shadyantra". The Times of India. 8 December 2022. Retrieved 12 April 2025.
  22. ↑ "Karnataka State Film Awards 2016". The Times of India. 10 April 2017. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  23. ↑ "Gorur literary classic now a web series on Katte". Deccan Herald. 6 June 2021. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
  24. ↑ "Sumukha marries long-time girlfriend; Kannada actor ties knot with Maitri Uka; private ceremony held in Rishikesh". The Times of India. 6 April 2026. Retrieved 6 April 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  25. ↑ "Actor Sumukha marries Maitri Uka in an intimate Rishikesh ceremony by the Ganges". Cinema Express. 5 April 2026.
  26. ↑ "Matriarch with the iron fist". The Hindu. 23 March 2017. Retrieved 9 April 2026.
  27. ↑ A Knock at Midnight Turned Deadly. YouTube. Zee Theatre. Retrieved 13 April 2026.
  28. ↑ "Namma Oorina Rasikaru Season 1 Review: A simple, quirky and entertaining tale". The Times of India. 23 December 2021. Retrieved 10 April 2026.
  29. ↑ "Nominees – Chittara Star Awards". Chittara News. Retrieved 31 March 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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