**Sharath Lohitashwa** (born 5 May 1972) is a veteran Indian actor who works predominantly in Kannada and Tamil cinema, alongside prominent appearances in Telugu and Malayalam films. Celebrated for his booming baritone voice, imposing screen presence, and intense performances, he has established himself as one of South Indian cinema's most formidable antagonists and respected character actors. Born in Bengaluru, Karnataka, Sharath hails from an illustrious artistic family as the son of the legendary Kannada theatre artist, playwright, and character actor Lohitashwa. Having earned a Master of Arts in English from Bangalore University, he spent his formative years immersed in Bengaluru's vibrant stage scene. He worked extensively with renowned Kannada theatre groups such as Samudaya, Nataranga, and Sanket, honing his vocal modulation, diction, and dramatic craft before moving on to television serials directed by luminaries like T. N. Seetharam and Chidanand. He made his entry into feature films in the late 1990s, gradually building a reputation for playing complex, authoritative, and villainous roles. His career trajectory shifted dramatically with his breakthrough performance in the critically acclaimed crime drama *Aa Dinagalu* (2007), where his chilling portrayal of the real life underworld don Kotwal Ramachandra earned him massive critical praise and the South Indian International Movie Award (SIIMA) recognition. Following this milestone, Sharath became one of the most sought-after villains across South India. In Kannada cinema, he delivered commanding performances in blockbuster and critically acclaimed films such as *Sanju Weds Geetha* (2011), *Sarathi* (2011), *Tagaru* (2018), and *Bhairathi Ranagal* (2024). He also achieved immense success in Tamil cinema, making an explosive debut as the fearsome local don Varadhan in Vetrimaaran's classic *Aadukalam* (2011). His standout antagonistic performances in Tamil films such as *Ethir Neechal* (2013), *Pandiya Naadu* (2013), *Komban* (2015), and *Mersal* (2017) made him a household face for Tamil audiences. With a prolific career spanning well over a hundred films across multiple languages, he continues to be an integral, powerhouse performer in contemporary South Indian cinema.
