Sihi Kahi Chandru: I keep pulling everyone’s leg

The popular comedian, who started off as a theatre artiste, is a cinema and television veteran

When they think of comedy, Sihi Kahi Chandru is a name that rings a bell for Kannadigas.

Born as Chandrashekar, the popular comedian, who has also aced the roles of a director, producer and television show host, was introduced to the world of entertainment through the serial ‘Sihi Kahi’. He has now acted in 388 films and many television serials.

Chandru was born and raised in Rajajinagar, Bengaluru and later moved to JP Nagar. He did his schooling at National English School and Vidya Vardhaka Sangha. After completing his PUC at St Joseph’s College, he pursued his degree at the MES College.

Chandru also has a post-graduate diploma in personnel management.

Younger days

He was involved in theatre from the age of nine. “I liked that everybody used to applaud and praise my performances on stage. I always wanted to be an actor,” he says.

He worked as a freelance artist with several Kannada theatre groups. “I have also worked in English theatre. At present, I am connected to three groups: Forum 3, Prakasam and Sanket,” he says.

Chandru was working as a medical representative during his post-graduation diploma. He quit the job to take up acting. Doordarshan’s Kannada serial ‘Sihi Kahi’ was his first screen experience.

“After resigning, I was planning to do mime shows across the country. The show’s writer Moudgil asked me if I would be interested in working in ‘Sihi Kahi’ and I agreed,” he says.

The fact that it was his ‘first exposure to acting in front of the camera made the experience interesting’. “I was used to immediate responses from people, I would crack a joke and people would laugh and clap but this was different,” he adds.

Chandru was also known for his performance in ‘Neenaanaadre Naaneenena’, an adaptation of Shakespeare’s ‘The Comedy of Errors’. The hit play, which was staged across Karnataka, was performed in the US as well.

It was mentor HMK Murthy who guided him on the nuances of acting for screen. Chandru was keen on learning the technicalities of filmmaking. “I was soon busy as an actor, director, producer, and writer,” he says.

He went on to direct popular serials like ‘Paapa Pandu’, ‘Silli Lalli’, ‘Parvathi Parameshwara’, ‘Panduranga Vittala’, among others. The second season of ‘Paapa Pandu’ and ‘Silli Lalli’ also came out.

Entry into films

The actor’s first brush with cinema was ‘Dr Vijay Anand’, a film directed by Kunigal Vasanth.

“I heard that the director was looking for a fresh face. I gatecrashed and gave an audition and was selected for the lead role. Unfortunately, the film didn’t release. At that time, there were no comedians in the industry so I decided to become one,” he says.

His first release was ‘Avale Nanna Hendthi’, in which he played hero Kashinath’s friend. “It was a big hit, after which I acted in ‘Avane Nanna Ganda’.”

Big hits from his career include ‘Ganeshana Maduve’, ‘Gauri Ganesha’, ‘Golmal Radhakrishna’ (Part 1 and 2) and ‘Bombat Hendthi’.

Chandru doesn’t regret anything in life. “It was a conscious decision to be a comedian,” he says.

Comedy comes naturally to him. “I would define myself as a naughty person. I’m a prankster and keep pulling everyone’s legs. I keep everyone around me laughing and entertained,” he says.

He is currently busy with the TV soap ‘Nannarasi Radhe’, and films ‘Family Pack’ and ‘Old Monk’.

Family ties

Chandru met actress Sihi Kahi Geetha on the show. They became good friends, fell in love, and got married. The couple is parents to daughters Hitha (who is also an actor) and Khushi.

“We are like any other average family. We believe in having fun and ragging each other,” Chandru. “Our conversations are centered around films only when we are working together.”

Cooking up a storm

Chandru’s TV series ‘Bombat Bhojana’ was a big success. He is now hosting its second season.

“I love experimenting with cooking. I do not cook much at home as I am busy with work. Whenever I am stressed or want to eat something different, I cook instead of asking someone to do it for me,” he says.