Roopesh Shetty
Roopesh Shetty is an Indian actor, director, radio jockey, singer, and television personality predominantly working in Tulu, Kannada, and Konkani cinema.[1][2] Born on August 14, 1991, in Kasaragod, Kerala, to a Tulu-speaking Bunt family, he hails from Uppala near Mangalore and holds a degree in business management from Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara College in Mangaluru.[3][2] Shetty began his career as a YouTuber creating Tulu comedy songs before transitioning to radio jockeying, where he hosted shows in Mangalore.[3] His acting debut came in a supporting role in the 2014 Tulu film Dibbana, followed by his lead role in the 2015 Tulu film Ice Cream.[2] He made his Kannada film debut with Danger Zone in 2016 and entered Konkani cinema with Ashem Zalem Kashem in 2017.[4][2] Shetty gained widespread recognition as a director and actor with the 2019 Tulu film Girgit, co-starring Rakesh Kadri, and followed it with the commercially successful Gamjaal in 2021, which recovered its budget within three days of release.[3][4] His television breakthrough occurred in 2022 when he won Bigg Boss Kannada OTT, and he repeated the feat by emerging as the winner of Bigg Boss Kannada Season 9 in 2023, taking home a cash prize of ₹50 lakh.[5][6] These victories significantly boosted his popularity in the Kannada entertainment industry.[5] More recently, he directed and starred in the 2023 Tulu film Circus and the 2025 Tulu-Kannada bilingual film Jai alongside Suniel Shetty.[4][7]Early life
Family background
Roopesh Shetty was born on 14 August 1991 in Kasaragod, Kerala, India, to a Tulu-speaking Bunt family.[3][2] He has two elder sisters, Roopa Yog Shetty and Harshitha Shetty.[2] The Bunt community, native to the coastal regions of Karnataka and Kerala, is known for its rich cultural heritage including traditional arts, folklore, and Yakshagana performances.[3] This background provided Shetty with an early immersion in Tulu linguistic and cultural traditions, shaping his identity tied to the region's vibrant artistic expressions.[2]Upbringing and early interests
Shetty hails from Uppala, a coastal town in Kasaragod district, Kerala, where he spent his childhood immersing himself in the local Tulu cultural environment.[1][2] During his early schooling in Kasaragod, Shetty faced limited formal instruction in Kannada, as there was no dedicated Kannada teacher at his institution, which prompted him to develop proficiency in the language through self-study alongside his native Tulu.[8] This multilingual foundation arose from the region's diverse linguistic landscape, where Tulu dominated daily interactions. Shetty later relocated to Mangaluru, Karnataka, for higher education, enrolling at Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara College of Business Management. The vibrant cultural scene in Mangaluru, known for its strong Tulu heritage, provided exposure to performing arts and community events. In 2014, during his early twenties, he launched a self-titled YouTube channel to share original Tulu songs, marking his initial foray into music creation and content production rooted in his cultural background.[1][2]Professional career
Media beginnings as RJ and VJ
Roopesh Shetty began his media career in 2014 by launching a YouTube channel, where he created Tulu-language comedy sketches and original songs capturing coastal life and humor.[2] The content quickly gained popularity among Tulu-speaking communities, building a dedicated fanbase in coastal Karnataka and Kerala.[9] Following his YouTube success, Shetty transitioned to radio as a jockey at 92.7 Big FM in Mangaluru, hosting engaging local shows that highlighted his humor and charisma.[2] His work involved interactive segments blending Tulu and Kannada content to connect with the coastal audience.[1] This role developed his relatable persona rooted in regional culture. Shetty then moved to television as a video jockey on Namma TV, anchoring programs that increased his visibility.[10] He hosted the dance show Dance Mummy Dance on Kannada television, demonstrating energetic performances and audience interaction.[2] These VJ roles refined his on-screen presence, building on his radio and YouTube experience with light-hearted commentary and cultural references. Through these early endeavors in regional media, Shetty cultivated his witty style, gaining loyalty from local audiences before entering acting.[1]Acting breakthrough
Roopesh Shetty made his acting debut in the lead role of the 2015 Tulu romantic comedy Ice Cream, directed by Venu Gopal Shetty and Pritham Sagar, starring opposite Anvitha Rao; the film underperformed at the box office.[3][11] He appeared in a supporting role in the 2017 Tulu film Rang Rangda Dibbana.[10] Shetty made his Kannada-language debut in 2016 with Danger Zone, a horror-thriller directed by Devraj Kumar, in which he appeared alongside Ramya and Srujan Lokesh.[12][13] The film, produced by Kambadri Brothers, focused on supernatural events in a haunted forest but failed to attract significant audiences.[14] Following these early efforts, Shetty continued exploring lead opportunities in Tulu cinema before achieving wider recognition. His acting breakthrough came with the 2019 Tulu comedy Girgit, which he co-directed with Rakesh Kadri and co-wrote, playing the lead role of a young man navigating love and mishaps.[15][16] The film, produced by Shoolin Films, was released on August 23, 2019, and became a commercial success, emerging as one of the highest-grossing Tulu films due to its engaging humor and strong performances, including supporting roles by Aravind Bolar and Naveen D. Padil.[16][17] Critics and audiences praised its roller-coaster narrative and Shetty's comedic timing, earning it an 8.1/10 rating on IMDb from over 100 reviews.[18] Building on this momentum, Shetty expanded into Kannada films with a prominent role in the 2019 romantic-horror thriller Anushka, directed by Devaraj Kumar, where he starred opposite Amrutha Iyengar in a story of a newlywed couple encountering supernatural events.[19][20] The film received mixed critical reception, with Times of India awarding it 2.5/5 stars for its spooky premise but noting inconsistencies in pacing and execution, while it achieved moderate box office performance in regional theaters.[20] In 2021, he took the lead as Srinivas in the Kannada comedy-thriller Govinda Govinda, directed by Thilak, involving intertwined stories of crime gangs and college students, which highlighted his versatility in ensemble casts.[21] That same year, Shetty appeared in the Tulu satirical film Yaan Kanape Change!, directed by Rakesh Kadri, addressing social themes through humor; it was released digitally and garnered positive feedback for its witty commentary, though specific box office data remains limited due to its platform distribution.[22] His victories in Bigg Boss Kannada OTT (2022) and Bigg Boss Kannada Season 9 (2023) boosted his visibility, leading to increased opportunities in regional cinema.[23][24] Post these wins, he starred in the 2022 Tulu comedy VIP's Last Bench, directed by Pradhan M.P., alongside Pruthvi Ambaar and Vineeth Kumar, which ran for over 25 days in theaters and was lauded for its lighthearted take on friendship and college life.[25][26] This surge in popularity solidified his presence across Tulu and Kannada industries, with subsequent roles reflecting heightened demand for his charismatic screen presence.[27]Directing and production work
Roopesh Shetty transitioned into directing with his debut project Girgit (released 2019), a Tulu-language comedy-drama that he co-directed alongside Rakesh Kadri while also penning the story and script.[28] The film was produced under his own banner, Roopesh Shetty Cinema, in collaboration with Shoolin Films and producers Manjunath Attavar and Taranath Bolar, marking his initial foray into creative control behind the camera.[28] This venture allowed Shetty to blend his acting experience with narrative innovation, emphasizing humor rooted in coastal Karnataka culture. Building on this foundation, Shetty took full directorial reins for Circus (2023), a Tulu comedy-drama exploring family dynamics and entrepreneurial ambitions in a rural setting.[29] The film highlighted his signature style of infusing light-hearted comedy with relatable social themes, achieving commercial success and critical acclaim for its engaging storytelling.[30] His prior acting roles informed his directorial choices, particularly in crafting authentic character arcs drawn from regional life. In 2025, Shetty directed and co-wrote the screenplay for Jai, a big-budget Tulu-Kannada action-political drama released on November 14, 2025, alongside Venu Hasrali.[31][32] Produced by Shoolin Films with Manjunath Attavar and co-producer Dheekshith Alva, the film addresses themes of unity, courage, and political integrity, featuring high-production values to appeal to a broader audience.[33] Additionally, Shetty is set to make his Tamil film debut in Sannidhanam P.O. (2025).[34] Through such larger-scale endeavors, Shetty has expressed a commitment to elevating Tulu cinema by promoting multilingual releases and innovative storytelling that showcases the industry's creative potential.[33]Television and reality shows
Bigg Boss Kannada participation
Roopesh Shetty participated in Bigg Boss Kannada OTT Season 1, which premiered on 6 August 2022 as the franchise's inaugural digital edition streamed on Voot.[35] He built a positive rapport with housemates through collaborative efforts and was appointed captain in the final week, avoiding eviction throughout the competition to reach the top four. In the grand finale on September 17, 2022, Shetty emerged as the winner, securing a cash prize of ₹5 lakhs and direct entry into the main Bigg Boss Kannada Season 9, attributing his success to strong fan support that propelled him to the top via viewer votes.[23] Leveraging his OTT victory, Shetty entered Bigg Boss Kannada Season 9 on 24 September 2022, where he demonstrated a competitive strategy marked by high energy in tasks, clear articulation of opinions, and strategic alliances, particularly with contestant Saniya Iyer, which helped him evade nominations and evictions over the 100-day run.[9] The season was not without controversies, including verbal altercations with housemates and external threats on social media stemming from his in-show remarks, prompting his family to file a police complaint in Mangaluru for derogatory comments and intimidation. Despite these challenges, Shetty garnered immense fan backing, earning the nickname "Rockstar" from host Kiccha Sudeep—who awarded him the "Kicchana Chappale" for standout performances—and culminating in a victory rally in his hometown upon finale. In the January 1, 2023, grand finale, he clinched the title with overwhelming votes, lifting the trophy and winning ₹50 lakhs, while delivering an emotional performance highlighting his journey.[5][8][36] Shetty's consecutive wins significantly elevated his public profile, transforming him from a regional actor into a household name in Karnataka, with his Instagram following surging to over 290,000 by early 2023. This boosted visibility led to increased media appearances, including interviews on his gameplay and future aspirations, and brand endorsements such as his role as ambassador for Land Trades in December 2023. By 2025, his prominence continued to grow through ongoing collaborations in the entertainment industry, solidifying his status in the entertainment industry.[37][38][39]Other television appearances
Roopesh Shetty began his television career in Mangaluru as a video jockey and anchor at the regional channel Namma TV, where he entertained audiences with music videos and programming focused on local content prior to his acting debut in 2014.[10] This role helped him build a regional following through energetic hosting and engagement with coastal Karnataka viewers.[2] Shetty hosted multiple seasons of the Kannada dance reality show Dance Mummy Dance on a regional channel, showcasing participants' talents in a family-oriented format that blended entertainment with competitive elements.[2] During one such hosting stint, a guest film director spotted his charisma and offered him an acting role, bridging his television presence to opportunities in cinema.[2] In 2014, Shetty directed and starred in the Tulu-language telefilm Porlu, a comedic production that highlighted everyday humor rooted in Tulu Nadu culture and was released as one of the early efforts to promote Tulu content on television.[40] The telefilm featured popular coastal actors and emphasized lighthearted storytelling to celebrate regional traditions.[41]Filmography and discography
Films as actor
Roopesh Shetty began his acting career in regional cinema, primarily featuring in lead and supporting roles across Tulu, Kannada, and Konkani films, with occasional appearances in Telugu productions. His performances often center on comedic, thriller, and horror genres, showcasing versatile characters from quirky protagonists to intense investigators. Shetty's work spans independent Tulu cinema, where he frequently takes on lead comedic roles, and mainstream Kannada films, emphasizing action-thriller elements.[42][1] The following is a chronological overview of his notable acting credits:| Year | Title | Language | Role/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Dibbana | Tulu | Supporting role, marking his film debut.[3] |
| 2015 | Ice Cream | Tulu | Lead role, marking his film debut as the protagonist in this suspense thriller.[43] |
| 2016 | Danger Zone | Kannada | Lead role, portraying the central character in a horror-action narrative.[44] |
| 2017 | Ashem Zalem Kashem | Konkani | Lead role, starring as the main protagonist in this bilingual romantic comedy-drama.[45] |
| 2017 | Rang Rangda Dibbana | Tulu | Supporting role in this romantic drama, contributing to ensemble comedy sequences.[3] |
| 2017 | Smile Please | Kannada | Cameo appearance as Roopesh, adding a brief comedic touch. |
| 2017 | Pisachi 2 | Kannada | Lead role, starring opposite Ramya in this horror sequel (Telugu dubbed version available).[46] |
| 2017 | Nishabda 2 | Kannada | Lead role, playing a key figure in this psychological thriller remake.[47] |
| 2019 | Girgit | Tulu | Lead role, as the central character in this comedy-drama he also directed. |
| 2019 | Anushka | Kannada | Lead role, starring in this fantasy thriller alongside Amrutha Iyengar.[19] |
| 2021 | Yaan Kanape Change! | Kannada | Supporting role as Surya, in this inspirational drama. |
| 2021 | Gamjaal | Tulu | Lead role in this comedy-drama anthology.[48] |
| 2021 | Govinda Govinda | Kannada | Supporting role as Srinivas, contributing to the comedy-thriller ensemble.[21] |
| 2022 | VIP's Last Bench | Tulu | Lead role in this comedy film.[4] |
| 2023 | Geeta Sakshigaa | Telugu | ACP Roopesh, playing an investigative police officer in this emotional drama. |
| 2023 | Manku Bhai Foxy Rani | Kannada | Rajesh Kudthamuger, in a comedic supporting capacity. |
| 2023 | Circus | Tulu | Rahul, lead role in this family entertainer. |
| 2025 | Jai | Tulu/Kannada | Lead role as the protagonist in this action-drama bilingual release.[33] |
| TBA | Adhipatra | Kannada | Cast member in this upcoming action film. |