Akul Balaji (born Akula Balaji on 23 February 1979) is an Indian actor, television host and dancer who works in Kannada and Telugu television shows and films. He started his career by acting and hosting television shows and has participated in the Kannada Film Industry for almost a decade. He shot to fame for co-hosting the hit Kannada reality show Pyate Hudgir Halli Lifu on Asianet Suvarna Channel, with Kannada Star Sudeep. He recently hosted a Kannada dance reality show named Takadhimita on Colors Kannada Channel.

In 2014, by public vote, Akul won the second season of game show Bigg Boss Kannada – the Indian version of Celebrity Big Brother and currently produced by Endemol India

Early and personal life

Originally from a small town called Rly. Kodur in Andhra Pradesh, Akul Balaji was born on 23 February 1979. After moving to Bangalore at age 16, he trained in Bharathanatyam under Smt. Usha Datar and later joined "Natya STEM Dance Kampni", headed by Madhu Nataraj as a contemporary dancer and learned Kathak from Guru Smt. Dr. Maya Rao. He also dabbled in theater in Director Pawan Kumar's adaptation of Badal Sarkar's Evam Inderjit in 2004. He has also done an advance acting workshop under Mahesh Dattani. Akul Balaji married his wife Jyothi Akul in 2008. The couple have a son.

Career

From beginnings as a small screen actor, he has become an actor and television host in Karnataka. He had won "The most popular anchor award" by Big FM Big TV for the year 2010 and he has to his credit superhit shows like Kuniyonu Baara and Comedy Killadigalu on Zee Kannada. He has hosted super hit reality shows for Asianet Suvarna like Pyate Hudgir Halli Lifu season 1 & 2, Halli Haida Pyateg Banda, Pyate Mandi Kadige Bandru 1, Pyate Mandi Kaadige Bandru 2, which was shot in Andaman Islands, Hosa Luv Story, and Nodi Swamy Naavirode Heege. He hosted Mane Munde Mahalakshmi, a game show for ETV Kannada and Indian. He hosted Sye Ante Sye for Zee Telugu. He also hosted the reality show called Thakadimitha Dancing Stars for ETV Kannada. He has acted in the television series Agatha (2002), Guptha Gamini, Yava Janumadha Maithri, Jagalagantiyaru, Pellinati Pramanalu (2012). He made a comeback in the Telugu television industry in 2021 with Oohalu Gusagusalade.

Filmography

Television

YearWorkRoleNetworkLanguage
2007Kuniyonu BaaraHostZee KannadaKannada
2008Comedy KilladigaluHost
2009Kuniyonu Baara Boys vs GirlsMentor
2010Pyate Hudgir Halli Lifu Season 1HostSuvarna
Halli Haida Pyateg BandaHost
Pyate Mandi Kaadige Bandru Season 1Host
2011Pyate Hudgir Halli Lifu Season 2Host
Hosa Luv StoryHost
Pyate Mandi Kaadige Bandru Season 2Host
2012Nodi Swami Naavirodhe HeegeHost
Pellinati PramanaluAbhiZee TeluguTelugu
2013Mane Mundhe MahalakshmiHostETV KannadaKannada
Sye Ante SyeHostZee TeluguTelugu
IndianHostETV Kannada
2014Thaka Dhimi Tha Dancing starHostKannada
Bigg Boss Kannada (season 2)WinnerETV Kannada
Pyate Hudgir Halli Lifu (season 3)Mentor
2015Dancing Stars Season 2HostColors Kannada
3.2.1.GOHostZee TeluguTelugu
Dancing Star JuniorHostColors KannadaKannada
Super JodiHostStar Suvarna
13 Fear is RealHostZee TeluguTelugu
2016Star Suvarna Dance DanceHostStar SuvarnaKannada
KICKHostUdaya TV
2017Super Jodi Season 2HostStar Suvarna
DeshamudurluHostMAA TVTelugu
Super Talk TimeHostColors SuperKannada
2018Master DancerHost
Pyate Hudgir Halli Lyfu Season 4HostStar Suvarna
Sixth Sense KannadaHost
Halli Haida Pyateg Banda Season 4Host
2019ThakadimithaHostColors Kannada
Colors Comedy CompanyHost
2021Cookku With KirikkuHostStar Suvarna
2021–presentOohalu GusagusaladeAbhiramZee TeluguTelugu
2021Bigg Boss Kannada Mini SeasonTask MasterColors KannadaKannada
2022Dancing ChampionHostColors Kannada
Dance India Dance TeluguHostZee TeluguTelugu
Ghana Bajaana Season 3HostStar SuvarnaKannada
2023Bharjari BachelorsHostZee Kannada
2024Comedy Killadigalu Premier LeagueJudge / Team OwnerZee Kannada
2024Zee EntertainersShow HostZee Kannada
2025Halli PowerShow HostZee PowerKannada

Film

YearTitleRole(s)Notes
2006Kallarali HoovagiThippaga
2007MilanaCameo appearance
2008AthmeeyaVijay
Paramesha Panwala
2009Neramu SikshaRohitTelugu film
Banni
2013MynaGame show hostCameo appearance
Pyarge AagbittaiteCameo appearance
LoosegaluShankara
2014Crazy StarCameo appearance

External links

Preceded byVijay RaghavendraBigg Boss Kannada Winner (Series 2) 2014Succeeded byShruti