Acting
Sadhu Kokila
Tamil, Kannada, Telugu cinema · 243 credits
Born
24 March 1966 (age 60)
Birthplace
Bangalore, Karnataka, India
Also known as Sahaya Sheelan Shadrach
**Sahaya Sheelan Shadrach** (born 24 March 1966), universally known by his stage name **Sadhu Kokila**, is an incredibly prolific Indian comedian, musician, actor, film director, and producer who primarily works in Kannada cinema. With a career spanning over three decades, he is one of the most recognizable and beloved comedic character actors in the Sandalwood industry, known for his impeccable comic timing and eccentric on-screen personas. Born in Bangalore, Karnataka, into a family with a deep musical background (his father was a violinist for the Karnataka Police Department, and his mother and sister were playback singers), he naturally gravitated toward music in his early life. He studied at St. Joseph's Indian High School and was mentored in music by Kasturi Shankar. He began his cinematic career not as an actor, but as a composer and music director. His foray into acting happened somewhat accidentally. During the production of the 1993 cult classic thriller *Shhh!*, director Upendra gave him the screen name "Sadhu Kokila" and cast him in a cameo role as "Kung Fu" Kannan. This appearance opened the floodgates for his acting career, leading him to transition into full-time acting, where he specialized in comic relief roles. Beyond acting in hundreds of films (including standout comedic performances in blockbusters like *Om* (1995), *Aishwarya* (2006), *Super* (2010), *Googly* (2013), *Mr. and Mrs. Ramachari* (2014), and *Raajakumara* (2017)), Sadhu Kokila has also directed ten Kannada films. Most notably, he helmed the massive commercial hit *Raktha Kanneeru* (2003) starring Upendra. A true multi-hyphenate, his talents have been heavily decorated across multiple disciplines. As a composer, he is a two-time recipient of the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Music Director for his work on *Rakshasa* (2005) and *Inthi Ninna Preethiya* (2008). As an actor, he has won multiple SIIMA and IIFA Utsavam Awards for Best Comedian (Kannada) for films like *Yaare Koogadali* (2012) and *Mr. and Mrs. Ramachari* (2014).
Known for
Filmography
One and a half
One and a half
as Lemon Guruji
UI
Actor
Night Curfew
as sadhu swami
Kangaroo
Music Director
Kranti
as Kranti's Aide
Kick
as Judge
Dil Pasand
as Santhosh's boss
Bytwo Love
as Matrimonial company manager
Drishya 2
as Restaurant customer
Sakath
as Sadhu
Mayabazar 2016
as Pataki Pandu
Yajamana
as Captain JaganMohan
Natasaarvabhowma
as Namadev
Adhyaksha In America
as Jimmy Carter
Onthara Bannagalu
as Sadhu Maharaj
Raambo 2
as Blind Man
Upendra Matte Baa
as Atmananda
Maasthi Gudi
Actor, Music
Anjaniputra
as Viraj's Servant
Mufti
as Ad Hero
Raajakumara
as Anthony Gonsalves
Kotigobba 2
as Bus passenger
Mungaru Male 2
as Nandini's uncle
Chakravyuha
as Sadhu
Jigarthanda
2016
Jigarthanda
as Acting Trainer
Shivalinga
as a thief-turned house servant
Sundaranga Jaana
as Hanumantha Rao
Kiragoorina Gayyaligalu
Original Music Composer
Raja Rajendra
as Inspector Indrajith
Aatagara
as Sadhu Maharaj, a chef
Ramleela
as Sippy
1st Rank Raju
as Shani Kappor (S.K, Shani)
Mr. Airavata
as Police Constable Bahubali
Male
as Charlie
Bullet Basya
as Basya's Father
Chandra
as Andy Roberts
Thirupathi Express
as Indrajaala
Jai Lalitha
as Doctor's Husband
Gajakessari
as Chuncha
Ninnindale
as Lucky
Power
as Kidney Kamangi
Maanikya
as Veera Pratapa Simha
Mr & Mrs Ramachari
as Manche Gowda
ವಿಕ್ಟರಿ
2013
Victory
as Inspector Saadhu Gowda
Mr 420
as SI Kashinath
Yaare Koogadali
as Shishupala
Rambo
as Dumil Krishna
Edegarike
Original Music Composer
Johny Mera Naam Preethi Mera Kaam
as Dr. Halappa
Police Story 3
Actor, Director
Hudugaru
as Chintamani
ದುಡ್ಡೇ ದೊಡ್ಡಪ್ಪ
2011
Dudde Doddappa
Original Music Composer
Mr. Theertha
Actor, Director, Writer
Hendtheer Darbar
Actor, Original Music Composer
Aithalakkadi
Actor, Music
Shourya
Actor, Director, Screenplay, Music Director
Inthi Ninna Preethiya
Original Music Composer
Prarambha
as Gunda
Anatharu
Director, Music, Screenplay
Duniya
Original Music Composer
Ee Rajeev Gandhi Alla
Music Director
Suntaragaali
Actor, Director, Screenplay, Music Director
Thangigagi
Music Director
Ashoka
Music Director
Anna Thangi
as Chimpanzee
Rakshasa
Director, Screenplay, Music Director
Shastri
Music Director
Deadly Soma
Music Director
Masala
Music Director
Durgi
as Durgi's friend
Darshan
Music Director
Kiccha
as C. D. Babu
Laali Haadu
Actor, Music Director
Raktha Kanneeru
Actor, Director
Daasa
Music Director
H2O
Actor, Music
Majestic
Music Director
Kitty
Music Director
Vaalee
as Vikki
Mr. X
Actor, Music Director
A.K.47
as Sadhu
Hello Yama
as Chitragupta
Agni Sakshi
Music Director
Jackie Chan
Actor, Original Music Composer
Shreemathi Kalyana
Actor, Music Director
Police Story
Original Music Composer
Dhani
Music Director
Huliya
Music Director
Ibbara Naduve Muddina Aata
Music Director
Om
as Shankar
Bal Nan Maga
Music Director
Aata Hudugata
Music Director
Nighatha
Music Director
Curfew
Music Director
Shhh!
as Kung Fu Kannan, Music