All the latest celebrity news and gossip
Yash was born Naveen Kumar on January 8, 1986, and his mother's family named him Yashwanth, which he later shortened into a stage name that would stand out. Known in the media as "Rocking Star," he is one of the highest-paid actors in Kannada cinema, according to Wikipedia. His father, Arun Kumar, was a driver for the Karnataka State transport service.
Yash started out in several TV series in the 2000s and made his film debut in Jambada Hudugi (2007). The 2008 romantic drama Moggina Manasu was his breakthrough and won him the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor. His first lead, Rocky (2008), flopped, but a run of hits followed: Googly and Raja Huli (both 2013), Gajakesari and Mr & Mrs Ramachari (both 2014), Masterpiece (2015) and Santhu Straight Forward (2016).
Prashanth Neel's KGF duology made him a star across India. KGF: Chapter 1 (2018) won him the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Kannada, and KGF: Chapter 2 (2022) is the highest-grossing Kannada film worldwide. His honors include three Filmfare Awards South and five SIIMA Awards. In 2026 he returned with Geetu Mohandas's Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups, which opened strongly before dropping off.
With his wife, actress Radhika Pandit, he set up the Yasho Marga Foundation to support social causes. He is also one of India's most in-demand brand endorsers.
Yash plays the villain Ravana in Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana: Part 1, his Hindi film debut, scheduled for November 6, 2026, with part two set for 2027. Read how Ramayana, with Ranbir Kapoor and Yash, set a world premiere at LA's Academy Museum, and visit the Ranbir Kapoor hub.
Sources: Wikipedia
Our newest Yash story, from October 19, 2026, is "Ranbir Kapoor and Yash's 'Ramayana' Sets Diwali-Themed World Premiere at LA's Academy Museum": The epic will screen in 3D for 945 guests on October 27, and everyone on the red carpet has been asked to come in traditional Indian festive wear. It hits cinemas worldwide November 5.
He was born Naveen Kumar on January 8, 1986. His mother's family named him Yashwanth, which he shortened to Yash (Wikipedia).
The antagonist Ravana, in his Hindi film debut. Ramayana: Part 1 is scheduled for November 6, 2026 (Wikipedia).
It is the nickname the media use for him, known for his mass hero films such as the KGF duology (Wikipedia).
