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Sihi Kahi Chandru

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sihi Kahi Chandru
Born
A. Chandrashekhar

(1962-07-23) 23 July 1962 (age 64)
Bangalore, Mysore State, India
Occupations
  • Actor
  • television host
  • director
  • producer
Years active1986–present
Spouse
​
(m. 1990)​
Children2, including Hitha Chandrashekar

A. Chandrashekar (born 23 July 1962),[1] known professionally as Sihi Kahi Chandru,[2] is an Indian actor, television host, director and producer, and theatre personality who primarily works in Kannada cinema and television. In addition to his acting career, he is known for hosting cookery programmes.

Chandru has appeared in more than 500 films and numerous television serials, and has also worked as a radio presenter. After beginning his career in theatre, Chandru gained popularity for his role in the television soap Sihi Kahi (1986–1987), from which he derived his screen name. He made his film debut with Avale Nanna Hendthi (1988), and after appearing in minor roles during the late 1980s, received his breakthrough with Hrudaya Geethe (1989). He subsequently became known for portraying comedic characters in films such as Ganeshana Maduve (1990), Gauri Ganesha (1991), Bombat Hendthi (1992) and Tenali Rama (2006).[3]

Under his production banner Final Cut Productions, Chandru produced and directed the television serials Papa Pandu (2000–2005) and Silli Lalli (2000–2007), both of which became highly popular and ran for more than 1,000 episodes each, later spawning second seasons in the 2010s. His directorials Parvathi Parameshwara (2009–2013) and Panduranga Vittala (2011–2013) also became popular. Beginning in the late 2000s, Chandru hosted several cookery shows on Kannada television, most notably Bombaat Bhojana, which completed 1,500 episodes in 2025. In 2022, Chandru was awarded the Rajyotsava Award by the Government of Karnataka in recognition of his contributions to Kannada cinema and television.[4]

Early life

[edit]

Chandru was born in Rajajinagar, Bangalore, on 23 July 1962, the second son of Ashwath Narayan Rao, a spinning manager, and Meenakshi, a homemaker.[5][6] Chandru attended National English School and Vidya Vardhaka Sangha, where he completed his schooling, and PUC from St. Joseph's University.[7] He then obtained a bachelor of science degree from MES College of Arts, Commerce and Science. He acted in several plays while in college, and also served as its student president. During this time, he met actor and director Shankar Nag, who handed him the book Journey to Ixtlan by Carlos Castaneda. The book on self-reflection had an influence on Chandru.[5] Chandru also obtained a post-graduate diploma in personnel management.[7]

Chandru first acted on stage when he was nine. He recalled, "I liked that everybody used to applaud and praise my performances on stage. I always wanted to be an actor". While in college, he worked as a freelance artist with several Kannada theatre groups, and participated in Kannada and English productions. He also worked as a medical representative during his post-graduation diploma before quitting the job to take up acting.[7]

Career

[edit]

Early days: Theatre, Sihi Kahi and film roles

[edit]

Chandru's association with Shankar Nag and his brother Anant Nag continued as he worked with them on stage and their films. He acted in Shankar Nag's television series, Malgudi Days (1986), while also dubbing for many actors.[5] He then appeared as a lead opposite his future wife Sihi Kahi Geetha on the serial titled Sihi Kahi, which was aired on DD Chandana[8] between 1986 and 1987. It was a sitcom serial in which Chandru and Geetha appeared as a married couple. The serial had a large viewership and was extremely popular with the Kannada audiences. The serial was aired once a week and completed a 52-week run.[9] Chandru and Geetha went on to marry in real life on 9 November 1990. The serial's title subsequently stuck to the couple as prefixes to their names.[5] In an interview with Deccan Herald in 2014, Chandru recalled, "After Sihi Kahi, I did my first film called Dr Vijayanand as a hero, but that never released. I then realised that I was probably not hero material and chose to do comedy as a genre."[3] In the late 1980s, Chandru appeared in a Hindi television series titled Antarala directed by Girish Karnad.[9]

Chandru's first comedic film role came in Avale Nanna Hendthi (1988).[6] During this time, in the mid- to late-1980s, he appeared in bit roles in multiple films, while also continuing to dub in films. In Anjada Gandu (1988), he dubbed for multiple actors. After appearing in minor roles in around 50 films, Chandru received his first major role in H. R. Bhargava's Hrudaya Geethe (1989). Chandru played the antagonist opposite Vishnuvardhan. He went to appear notably in Phani Ramachandra's comedy films such as Ganeshana Maduve (1990), and with Om Sai Prakash, playing prominent comedic supporting roles.[5] In 1998, he was briefly associated with the unreleased film Preethiyallirosukha.[10]

1990s–present: Bombaat Bhojana and other television work

[edit]

In the 1990s, alongside acting in films, Chandru acted in television soaps. He appeared in Mayamruga. In the 2000s, he produced and directed Papa Pandu, a popular sitcom which saw a run of 1,014 episodes.[11] He also wrote and directed Silli Lalli, another sitcom, which was aired from 2003 to 2007.[12] It completed 1,162 episodes.[13] It was reported in 2014 that Chandru produced three television soaps through his production houses, Final Cut Productions and Master Productions. Chandru added that he also made documentary films, ad films and corporate films.[3] In 2016, he exited Final Cut Productions, which he started in 2000 with his friends.[14] He would go on to direct more sitcoms such as Parvathi Parameshwara (2009–2013) and Panduranga Vittala (2011–2013).[7]

Having learnt cooking during his early years in Bengaluru while pursuing an acting career, Chandru incorporated his culinary experiences into his television work. Starting 1990s, Chandru hosted cookery shows such as Nalapaka and Rasapaka.[2] Nalapaka was one of India's first cookery shows, and was aired in 1992 on DD Chandana. However, a dearth of sponsors meant the show had to be taken off air after eight episodes.[15] Chandru then hosted the widely popular show Bombaat Bhojana, which completed more than 750 episodes by 2012. The format of the show involved Chandru visiting selected restaurants to showcase their signature dishes while also presenting his own recipes and cooking techniques.[16] Celebrity guests were also hosted on some episodes.[17] The show was noted for combining cooking demonstrations with slapstick humour and conversational storytelling.[2][18] The first season of the show ended after completing around 800 episodes. Chandru stated that he took a break from cookery shows after "people associated me only with food. It led to an identity crisis. Nobody talked about my films any more. That's when I decided to stop doing it.[6] The second season began in 2021.[16] In 2023, during its third season, it completed 1,000 episodes.[19] By the end of the fifth season, more than 1,500 episodes were aired. The sixth season premiered in October 2025.[20]

In 2017, Chandru contested in the fifth season of the reality television show Bigg Boss Kannada. In 2018, he produced and directed the second season of Papa Pandu,[21] which completed a run of 300 episodes in 2019.[22] The storyline of the first season was retained and continued.[23] In the same year, he launched and directed the second season of Silli Lalli.[24] However, it was taken off air in 2020 due to low ratings.[25] In 2021, Chandru appeared as judge on Cookku with Kirikku, a cooking reality show, with chef Venkatesh Bhat.[26]

Other work

[edit]

Chandru is also a noted theatre personality, known for his comedy play Neenaanaadre naaneenena?[27] (If you are me, then am I you?), an adaptation of William Shakespeare's play The Comedy of Errors, incidentally also adapted in the film a production in Hindi (Angoor).[28][29] Throughout his career, Chandru acted in numerous plays, both in Kannada, such as Nimitha, Gathi and Sankramana, and in English. He recalled, "Theatre has been my first love and I never leave an opportunity to do the same. I do different roles away for my regular on-screen image."[3][30][31]

In 2006, Chandru first hosted a breakfast show on radio for 92.7 Big FM in Bangalore.[3] In 2013, for the same network, his wife Geetha and he hosted a show titled Retro Talkies.[32]

Partial filmography

[edit]

Films

[edit]
  • All films are in Kannada, unless otherwise noted.
Year Title Role Notes
1988 Avale Nanna Hendthi Subhash
1989 Avane Nanna Ganda Vinayak
Hrudaya Geethe Dr. Sunil
Narasimha Chandra
Jai Karnataka
1990 Ganeshana Maduve Chandru
Golmaal Radhakrishna Prasad
Matsara Chandru
Muthina Haara Menasinakai
Swarna Samsara Pashupathi
Shivashankar
Nigooda Rahasya Lakkappa
Challenge Gopalakrishna
1991 Gauri Ganesha
Golmal Radhakrishna 2
Jagadeka Veera
Rollcall Ramakrishna Umesh
1992 Belliyappa Bangarappa
Bombat Hendthi Chandru
2001 Mathadana Srikanthe Gowda
Sparsha
2004 Srusti
2005 Sakha Sakhi
2007 Maathaad Maathaadu Mallige Sheera
2006 Honeymoon Express
Julie
Tenali Rama
2008 Hani Hani
Kodagana Koli Nungitha
Mast Maja Maadi Samarasimha Reddy
Milana Flat manager
2009 Jhossh College principal
Maleyali Jotheyali Sandhya's father
2010 Naanu Nanna Kanasu Hayavadana Achar
Sri Harikathe
Ullasa Utsaha Driver
2011 9 to 12
Akasmath
Aidondla Aidu
Keratam / Yuvan College principal Bi-lingual film (Telugu, Tamil)
Mayadanta Male
Yogaraj But Kahi Chandru
O Manase
Puttakkana Highway
2012 Shikari
2015 Luv U Alia Cook
2016 Devara Naadalli Padmakar Shetty
Sundaranga Jaana "Wrong Talk" Ramanujam
2017 Raaga
2018 Aa Karaala Ratri Harikatha performer
2022 Old Monk Abhigna's father
2025 Nimde Kathe [33]

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1986–1987Sihi Kahi
198?AntaralaHindi serial[9]
1989Conductor KariyappaBus conductor[34]
19??Crazy Colonel
1992NalapakaHost[15]
1998MayamrugaIspeet Raju
2000–2005Papa PanduSrimathi's fatherAlso director and producer[35]
2003–2007Silli LalliN/a[36]
RasapakaHost[2]
2009–2013Parvathi ParameshwaraN/aAs director[37]
2010–Bombaat BhojanaHost[38]
2011–2013Panduranga VittalaN/aAs director[39]
2014Bhojanapriya[40]
2014Thaka Dhimi Tha Dancing StarContestant[41]
2016Adarsha DampathigaluHost[42]
2017Bigg Boss KannadaContestantSeason 5[43]
2018–2020Papa Pandu 2Nimbehuli BabaAlso director and producer[44]
2019–2020Silli Lalli 2N/a[13]
2020–2022Nannarasi RadheSanthosh Rathod[45]
2021Cookku with KirikkuJudge[46]
2022Jodi No 1Guest[47]
2023Weekend with RameshGuest[48]
2023AmruthadhareSadashiva[49]
2025Ayyana Mane[50]

Music videos

[edit]
Year Title Artist Album Ref.
2020 "Happy" All Ok — [51]

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ "Ashita Chandrappa wishes Sihi Kahi Chandru on his birthday with a sweet note". The Times of India. 24 July 2020. Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Recipe for success". Deccan Herald. 23 December 2012. Archived from the original on 3 April 2018. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Art of entertaining". Deccan Herald. 14 June 2014. Archived from the original on 26 May 2026. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  4. ↑ "K. Sivan, A.R. Mitra, Avinash among 67 chosen for Rajyotsava award". The Hindu. 30 October 2022. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 ಚಂದ್ರು ಸೀತಾಪತಿ ಕಥೆ! | Weekend With Ramesh Season 5 | Ep. 11 | Sihi Kahi Chandru - Zee Kannada [Chandru's Sitapathi Story]. Zee Kannada. 27 December 2023. Event occurs at 4:09. Retrieved 25 May 2026.
  6. 1 2 3 Rao, A. Varsha (27 May 2017). "Happy, inside out". Deccan Herald. Archived from the original on 26 May 2026. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Anien, Tini Sara (6 February 2021). "Sihi Kahi Chandru: I keep pulling everyone's leg". Deccan Herald. Archived from the original on 26 May 2026. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  8. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 22 January 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  9. 1 2 3 Sihikahi Chandru | Full Episode | ಬಿಚ್ಚಿಟ್ಟ ಬುತ್ತಿ | Web Sambhashane | ಮಾಧ್ಯಮ ಅನೇಕ | Maadhyama Aneka. Maadhyama Aneka. 2 October 2025. Event occurs at 36:03. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  10. ↑ "Preethiyallirosukha: Comedian turns director". Screen. 25 December 1998. Archived from the original on 9 December 2007. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
  11. ↑ "Paapa Pandu to be back on TV". The Times of India. 11 May 2018. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  12. ↑ "Popular comedy show Silli Lalli is back; all you need to know about the latest season". The Times of India. 22 April 2019. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  13. 1 2 M. N., Rakshitha (24 May 2019). "Kannada sitcom 'Silli Lalli' back after a gap". Deccan Herald. Archived from the original on 3 May 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  14. ↑ "Final Cut sans Chandru". Bangalore Mirror. 28 September 2016. Archived from the original on 26 May 2026. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  15. 1 2 Sihi Kahi Chandru on Acting - Cooking, Passion, Stardom, Life Lessons, Money, Love, Sitcoms & More. Rapid Rashmi. 6 May 2024. Event occurs at 41:39. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  16. 1 2 "Kannada TV show 'Bombaat Bhojana season 2' to premiere today". The Times of India. 28 September 2021. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  17. ↑ Lokesh, Vinay (15 October 2020). "It's raining Kannada stars on TV this festive season". The Times of India. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  18. ↑ S., Bageshree (13 June 2010). "Watching potatoes from the couch". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 26 May 2026. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  19. ↑ "Sihi Kahi Chandru's 'Bombaat Bhojana' hits 1000 episodes; welcomes Malashree for grand celebration". The Times of India. 26 December 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  20. ↑ "Bombat Bhojana season 6 to premiere on October 27; Returns with new segments and community flavour". The Times of India. 24 October 2025. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  21. ↑ "Paapa Pandu to return on the small screen". The Times of India. 14 May 2018. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  22. ↑ "Kannada TV shows 'Paapa Pandu season 2' and 'Magalu Janaki' complete 300 episodes". The Times of India. 26 August 2019. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  23. ↑ "Comedy show Paapa Pandu completes 250 episodes". The Times of India. 15 June 2019. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  24. ↑ "Popular comedy show Silli Lalli to premiere on May 20". The Times of India. 4 May 2019. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  25. ↑ "From Magalu Janaki to Bayasade Bali Bande: Kannada TV shows going off-air post-lockdown". The Times of India. 5 August 2020. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  26. ↑ "Cookku with Kirikku: Chandan Kumar emerges as the winner". The Times of India. 16 August 2021. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  27. ↑ "Avalokana | Neenaanaadre Naaneenena". Archived from the original on 29 December 2011. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  28. ↑ Hasna Mana Hai: Bollywood's best comedies Indiatimes, 27 May 2005.
  29. ↑ "Just breathe and reboot". Indian Express. 24 March 2011. Archived from the original on 11 October 2020. Retrieved 22 January 2013.
  30. ↑ "Kannada theatre's new cause for celebration". The Times of India. 9 July 2013. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  31. ↑ "Arundhati Nag: Theatre community's purpose cannot be limited to making plays and selling tickets". The Times of India. 21 October 2020. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  32. ↑ "The Sihi Kahi couple now host a radio show". The Times of India. 24 August 2013. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  33. ↑ Y., Maheswara Reddy (6 April 2025). "Kannada Movie Review–Nimde Kathe: Fight against the loan shark - Bangalore Mirror". Bangalore Mirror.
  34. ↑ "ಸಿಹಿಕಹಿ ಚಂದ್ರು ಕಂಡಕ್ಟರ್ ಕರಿಯಪ್ಪ ಸೀರಿಯಲ್ ನನ್ನ ಲೈಫ್ ಚೇಂಜ್ ಮಾಡಿತ್ತು!"-E02-Comedian Antony Kamal-#param [Sihi Kahi Chandru's serial Conductor Kariyappa changed my life]. Kalamadhyama. 3 August 2024. Event occurs at 22:19. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  35. ↑ "Paapa Pandu to be back on TV". The Times of India. 11 May 2018. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  36. ↑ Daithota, Madhu (9 May 2019). "Ravishankar Gowda gets reminiscent about Silli Lalli". The Times of India. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  37. ↑ "100 reasons to dance". Bangalore Mirror. 8 September 2009. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  38. ↑ "Kannada cookery show 'Bombaat Bhojana' to premiere on October 19". The Times of India. 9 October 2020. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  39. ↑ "Everything's a joke". Bangalore Mirror. 29 October 2009. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  40. ↑ "Sihi Kahi Chandru returns to the kitchen". The Times of India. 27 March 2014. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  41. ↑ "Who will participate in Dancing Star season 2?". The Times of India. 5 January 2015. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  42. ↑ "Aadarsha Dampathigalu to be held in Mysuru". The Times of India. 8 December 2016. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  43. ↑ "Bigg Boss Kannada 5: Sihi Kahi Chandru gets super power". The Times of India. 23 October 2017. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  44. ↑ "Low TRP rating brings Paapa Pandu 2 to an end". The Times of India. 1 March 2020. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  45. ↑ "Aparna Vastrey plays a cameo in the TV show Nannarasi Radhe". The Times of India. 31 August 2021. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  46. ↑ "Cookery show Cookku with Kirikku to premiere on April 10". The Times of India. 3 April 2021. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  47. ↑ "Jodi No 1 to welcome Sihi Kahi couple". The Times of India. 29 June 2022. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  48. ↑ "Weekend with Ramesh: Sihi Kahi Chandru and Dr. Gururaj Karajraj to honour the red seat". The Times of India. 26 April 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  49. ↑ "New soap opera Amruthadhaare to premiere on Monday". The Times of India. 27 May 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  50. ↑ "Ayyana Mane director Ramesh Indira: I cut the length of the show to ensure audiences are engaged throughout". OTTPlay.
  51. ↑ "All OK's latest single Happy trends at the top after a day of its release". The Times of India. 30 October 2020. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
[edit]
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