Naveen Kumar Gowda known as Yash is an Indian actor who is known for acting in Kannada films. He was born on 8th January 1986 in Boovanahalli, Hassan, Karnataka to Arun Kumar Gowda and Pushpa. His father was a driver for the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation and later the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation. He has a sister Nandini. He did his schooling at Mahajana High School, Mysore. During his school time, Yash wanted to be an actor. He completed his B. A. In psychology and journalism from K.L.E College, Bangalore.
Yash started his career as an assistant director. But it didn’t end well. Then he joined Benaka Theatre as a backstage worker.
Yash made his acting debut with the theatre show Balarama in 2004. In that year, he also made his television debut with the TV show Uttarayanaa. He also acted in several other Tv shows, such as Nanda Gokula (2005), Preeti Illada Mele(2006), and Male Billu(2007).
Yash made his film debut in 2007 with Jambada Hudugi. His next film was Moggina Manasu in 2008. He won Filmfare Awards for Best Supporting Actor in Kannada. He gained popularity with this movie. In that year he acted in the film, Rocky, which shows negative reviews and Box office failure.
In 2009 he acted in two films, Kallara Santhe and Gokula. After that, he acted in several other films, such as Modalasala (2010), Rajadhani (2011), Lucky (2012), Googly (2013), Gajakesari (2014), and Masterpiece (2015) till 2018.
In 2018, Yash acted in K.G.F: Chapter 1, which gave him national and international recognition and fame. The film was the most expensive Kannada film at the time, and at the same time emerged as the highest-grossing Kannada film. The sequel of the film, which was released in 2022, became another hit and the third highest-grossing Indian film. He won two Best Actor awards for this film. His style, dialogue delivery, and action were praised by several reviewers and audience, and film critics.
Not only as an actor, Yash is famous as a singer also. He sang several songs, such as Annthamma, Annange ove Aagide etc.
Yash became the first Kannada actor to be featured on the cover of Forbes India in 2019. In 2012, Yash was featured on The Times of India’s Bangalore Times Most Desirable Men list at 11th place, and in 2013, 2017, and 2020 he ranked 1st. In 2019, Yash was featured by GQ India in their list of 50 most influential young Indians.
Yash is the brand endorser of several brands, such as Nestron, Celkon Mobiles, Ramraj Cotton, Beardo, etc.
Apart from acting, Yash is a representative for Bengaluru Bulls in the Pro Kabaddi League. Yash founded a non-profit organisation YashoMarga Foundation in 2017 with his wife, which works for the welfare of society.
Yash got engaged to actress Radhika Pandit on 12th August 2016. They next got married on 9th December 2016. They are parents to two lovely children, a daughter, Ayra, and a son, Yatharv Yash. Ayra was born in December 2018 while Yatharv was born in October 2019.
Name | Naveen Kumar Gowda |
Nick Name | Yash |
Profession | Actor, Singer |
Famous role | Ramachari in the Kannada film Mr. and Mrs. Ramachari (2014)![]() |
Date of Birth | 8 January 1986 |
Age | 36 Years |
Birth Place | Bhuvanahalli, Hassan, Karnataka, India |
Nationality | Indian |
Hometown | Bangalore, Karnataka, India |
School | Mahajana High School, Mysore, Karnataka |
Collage | K.L.E. Society’s S. Nijalingappa College |
Debut | Film: Jambada Hudugi (Kannada, 2007) TV: Uttarayana (Kannada, 2004) |
Religion | Hinduism |
Zodiac Sign | Capricorn |

Yash Career
Quick Tour
- Yash made his acting debut with the theatre show Balarama in 2004.
- In that year, he also made his television debut with the TV show Uttarayanaa.
- He also acted in several other Tv shows, such as Nanda Gokula (2005), Preeti Illada Mele(2006), and Male Billu(2007).
- Yash made his film debut in 2007 with Jambada Hudugi.
- His next film was Moggina Manasu in 2008. In that year he also acted in the film, Rocky.
- In 2009, he acted in two films, Kallara Santhe and Gokula.
- After that, he acted in several other films, such as Modalasala (2010), Rajadhani (2011), Lucky (2012), Googly (2013), Gajakesari (2014), and Masterpiece (2015) till 2018.
- In 2018, Yash acted in K.G.F: Chapter 1, and in 2022 he acted in the sequel of the film, K.G.F: Chapter 2.
- Not only as an actor, Yash is famous as a singer also. He sang several songs, such as Annthamma, Annange ove Aagide etc.
Yash Family
Father Name | Arun Kumar (Used to Work in BMTC) |
Mother Name | Pushpa (Homemaker) |
Brother | N/A |
Sister | Nandini |
Wife | Radhika Pandit (Actress) |
Yash Relationship / Marital Status & Many More
Marital Status | Married |
Affairs / Girlfriend | Radhika Pandit (Actress) |
Wife/ Spouse | Radhika Pandit (Actress) |
Marriage date | 9 December 2016 |
Marriage Place | N/A |
Children | Daughter– Ayra (born in December 2018) Son– Ayush (born in October 2019) |

Yash Physical Stats
Height | In Centimeter – 165 cm In Meter – 1.65 m In feet & inches – 5’5 |
Weight | In Kilogram- 54 Kg In Pounds – 119lbs |
Eye Color | Black |
Hair Color | Brown |
Yash Favourite
Favourite Actor | Chiranjeevi, Pawan Kalyan |
Favourite Actress | N/A |
Favourite Song | N/A |
Favourite Movie | N/A |
Favourite Cuisine | Indian Food |
Favourite Color | Red, White, Black |
Favourite Sport | Cricket |
Favourite Destination | London |
Yash Education
School | Mahajana High School, Mysore, Karnataka |
Collage | K.L.E. Society’s S. Nijalingappa College |
Educational Qualification | Graduate |
Yash Net Worth
Net Worth | N/A |
Salary | N/A |
Income Source | N/A |
Car Collection | N/A |

Some Unknown facts about Yash
- His father was a bus driver in the KSRTC transport service and later in the BMTC transport service.
- Not many know that his birth name is Naveen Kumar Gowda.
- He has also tried his hands at singing and singing two songs in his films, Mr and Mrs Ramachaari and Masterpiece.
- Yash secretly got engaged to his wife Radhika in Goa in 2016.
- The actor once founded an organization named Yasho Marga Foundation with his wife to help poor people.
- He has also been active in politics and has campaigned for parties like BJP and JD(S).