Personal details
Born:
- Birthday: 1986-01-08
- Born Place: Hassan, Karnataka, india
Also Known As:
Naveen Kumar Gowda, Rocking Star, Rocking Star Yash
Yash
Born Naveen Kumar Gowda on January 8, 1986, in a village in Hassan, Karnataka, the actor popularly known as Yash is a preeminent figure in Indian cinema whose journey from a middle-class background to global stardom is widely considered an inspiration. The son of a dedicated bus driver and a homemaker, Yash moved to Bengaluru at the age of 16 with just ₹300 in his pocket to pursue his dream of acting, initially against his parents' wishes. He began his career by working as a backstage assistant for the Benaka theatre troupe and later transitioned to television, starring in popular serials like Nanda Gokula, where he met his future wife, actress Radhika Pandit. After making his film debut in 2007 with Jambada Hudugi, he achieved a significant breakthrough with Moggina Manasu (2008), which earned him a Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor. Over the next decade, he delivered a series of hits that solidified his status as the "Rocking Star" of Kannada cinema before achieving international fame as "Rocky Bhai" in the blockbuster K.G.F franchise. As of early 2026, the 40-year-old superstar is at the peak of his career, currently filming the high-octane period thriller Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups, where he portrays the fierce underworld figure Raya. In addition to headlining the film, he is a co-producer under his banner, Monster Mind Creations, and is also set to portray Ravana in the epic film Ramayana: Part 1, scheduled for release in late 2026.
