BenWunderly at 22:19, 1 May 2026

2026-05-01T22:19:44Z

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{{Short description|Indian anchor and actress (1966–2024)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2018}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Aparna
| image = Aparna Vastarey.jpg
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1965|10|17 |noage=yes|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Chikmagalur]], [[Mysore State]], India
| death_date = {{death date and given age|2024|07|11|57|df=y}}
| death_place = [[Banashankari]], [[Bangalore]], [[Karnataka]], India<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bose |first1=Sharath |date=12 July 2024 |title=Kannada Actress and Anchor Aparna Vastarey Passes Away at 57 Due to Cancer |url=https://www.filmibeat.com/kannada/news/2024/kannada-actress-and-anchor-aparna-vastarey-passes-away-at-57-due-to-cancer-406195.html |website=Filmibeat |access-date=11 July 2024}}</ref>
| other_names =
| occupation = {{hlist|Television presenter|actress|radio jockey}}
| years_active = 1984–2024
| known_for = The voice behind Namma Metro-Bangalore, KSRTC announcement
| notable_works =
}}

'''Aparna Vastarey''' (17 October 1965 – 11 July 2024) was an Indian actress, television presenter, and [[radio jockey]]. A popular face in Kannada television, she was known for her work as a presenter of various shows that aired on [[DD Chandana]] in the 1990s. She made her cinematic debut in 1984 with [[Puttanna Kanagal]]'s last film, ''[[Masanada Hoovu]]''. Between 2015 and 2021, she played Varalakshmi on the sketch comedy show, ''[[Majaa Talkies]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Swetha Changappa, Aparna, Kuri Prathap, and Other Cast Members of Majaa Talkies Enjoy a Reunion |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/kannada/swetha-changappa-aparna-kuri-prathap-and-other-cast-members-of-majaa-talkies-enjoy-a-reunion/articleshow/87666411.cms |website=The Times of India |date=12 November 2021 |archive-date=14 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240514140639/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/kannada/swetha-changappa-aparna-kuri-prathap-and-other-cast-members-of-majaa-talkies-enjoy-a-reunion/articleshow/87666411.cms |url-status=live |access-date=14 May 2024}}</ref>

== Biography ==
Aparna was born on 17 October 1965 in the [[Chikmagalur district]] of the erstwhile [[Mysore State]] (now [[Karnataka]], India).<ref name=starofmysore>{{Cite web |date=12 July 2024 |title=Renowned Kannada anchor Aparna Vastarey no more |url=https://starofmysore.com/renowned-kannada-anchor-aparna-vastarey-no-more/ |website=Star of Mysore |access-date=18 July 2024 |language=en-US}}</ref> She made her feature film debut in [[Puttanna Kanagal]]'s 1984 film, ''[[Masanada Hoovu]]'', starring alongside stalwarts [[Ambareesh]] and [[Jayanthi (actress)|Jayanthi]]. She began working as a [[radio jockey]] (RJ) with [[All India Radio]] in 1993, and went on to work with [[AIR FM Rainbow]] as its first presenter. Her career in Kannada television as a presenter began in 1990 with [[DD Chandana]]; she was part of a majority of its productions until 2000.<ref name="dh1">{{cite web |last1=Srinath |first1=Shruthi |title=The one & only... |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/547887/one-amp-only.html |newspaper=Deccan Herald |accessdate=28 January 2017 |date=22 May 2016 |archive-date=30 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180530034851/https://www.deccanherald.com/content/547887/one-amp-only.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> As part of [[Deepawali]] celebrations in 1998, she presented shows for a record eight hours.<ref>{{cite web |title=Aparna, RJ, TV anchor and actress |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-pix-meet-the-contestants-of-bigg-boss-kannada/20130325.htm#9 |work=Rediff.com |date=25 March 2013 |accessdate=23 April 2015 |archive-date=29 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129044606/http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-pix-meet-the-contestants-of-bigg-boss-kannada/20130325.htm#9 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Aparna worked as an actress in [[Soap opera|television shows]] such as ''[[Moodala Mane]]'' and ''Mukta''. In 2013, she appeared as a contestant in the first season of the Kannada reality television show ''[[Bigg Boss Kannada|Bigg Boss]],'' which aired on [[ETV Kannada]].<ref name="ks">{{cite web |date=19 August 2014 |title=Details about People of Bigg Boss Kannada |url=http://karnatakakaravali.blogspot.in/2013/05/detail-about-people-of-bigg-boss-kannada.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130527234051/http://karnatakakaravali.blogspot.in/2013/05/detail-about-people-of-bigg-boss-kannada.html |archivedate=27 May 2013 |accessdate=22 August 2014 |work=karnatakakaravali}}</ref> Since 2015, she appeared in the sketch comedy television show, ''[[Majaa Talkies]]'', as Varalakshmi, the vain and boastful sister-in-law of the character of [[Srujan Lokesh]] who claimed to be friends of popular personalities such as [[Barack Obama]] and [[Salman Khan]].<ref name="dh1"/>

In 2011, Aparna lent her voice for the recorded announcements of passenger boarding and deboarding for the [[Namma Metro|Bangalore Metro]].<ref name="dh1"/> In 2024, after more than 20 years away from acting, she returned with Gangadhar Salimath's cybercrime film ''[[Grey Games]]'', in which she played the mother of a boy addicted to [[Online game|online gaming]].<ref name="CE">{{cite web |last1=Sharadhaa |first1=A. |date=8 May 2024 |title=A closer look at strong female characters in Grey Games |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/kannada/interviews/2024/May/08/a-closer-look-at-strong-female-characters-in-grey-games |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240514135847/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/kannada/interviews/2024/May/08/a-closer-look-at-strong-female-characters-in-grey-games |archive-date=14 May 2024 |access-date=14 May 2024 |website=Cinema Express |language=en}}</ref> Of the gap, she stated, "It is not that I did not want to work; I did receive offers. But the role's significance mattered to me. Often, I was not fully briefed on what exactly I was supposed to do. I prioritised the importance of my role rather than its duration. Many times, the roles I was offered did not satisfy me, so I was not eager to accept them." A review in the ''[[Deccan Herald]]'' stated that she took on "a powerful role and is absolutely convincing."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Angadi |first1=Jagadish |title='Grey Games' movie review: Despite flaws, this psychological thriller manages to entertain |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/grey-games-movie-review-despite-flaws-this-psychological-thriller-manages-to-entertain-3017983 |website=Deccan Herald |access-date=14 May 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

== Death ==
On 11 July 2024, Aparna died at the age of 57 due to complications from lung cancer.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kumar |first1=Chethan |title=ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರಿಗೆ ಮತ್ತೊಂದು ಆಘಾತ, ಅಚ್ಚ ಕನ್ನಡದ ಖ್ಯಾತ ನಿರೂಪಕಿ ಅಪರ್ಣ ಇನ್ನಿಲ್ಲ! |url=https://kannada.asianetnews.com/tv-talk/karnataka-well-known-television-presenter-aparna-vastarey-dies-at-51-in-bengaluru-ckm-sggy0s |website=Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd |access-date=11 July 2024 |language=kn |archive-date=11 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240711195240/https://kannada.asianetnews.com/tv-talk/karnataka-well-known-television-presenter-aparna-vastarey-dies-at-51-in-bengaluru-ckm-sggy0s |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Renowned Kannada anchor-actress Aparna Vastarey passes away due to Cancer at 51 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/kannada/renowned-kannada-anchor-actress-aparna-vastarey-passes-away-due-to-cancer-at-51/articleshow/111668945.cms |website=The Times of India |access-date=11 July 2024 |date=11 July 2024 |archive-date=11 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240711195225/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/kannada/renowned-kannada-anchor-actress-aparna-vastarey-passes-away-due-to-cancer-at-51/articleshow/111668945.cms |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Filmography ==
=== Films ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! Title !! Role !! Notes !! {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
| 1984 || ''[[Masanada Hoovu]]'' || Parvati || ||
|-
| 1987 || ''[[Sangrama (film)|Sangrama]]'' || || ||
|-
| 1988 || ''Mathru Vathsalya'' || Rohini ||
|
|-
| rowspan="3"|1989 || ''[[Ondagi Balu]]'' || || ||
|-
| ''[[Nammoora Raja]]'' || || ||
|-
| ''[[Inspector Vikram (1989 film)|Inspector Vikram]]'' || Vijaya || ||
|-
| 2024 || ''[[Grey Games]]'' || Tara || || <ref name="CE"/>
|-
|}

=== Television ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! Title !! Role !! Notes !! {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
| 2003–2004
| ''Moodala Mane''
| Sukanya ||
| <ref name="dh1"/>
|-
| 2005
| ''Ee Family''
| Host ||
| <ref>{{cite web |title=The many talents of 'RJ' Aparna |url=http://archive.deccanherald.com/Deccanherald/oct232005/enter1415720051021.asp |work=Deccan Herald |accessdate=28 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121229074033/http://archive.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/oct232005/enter1415720051021.asp |archive-date=29 December 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
| 2008
| ''Sahagamana'' ||
|
| <ref>{{cite web |title=Sahagamana Kannada Serial – Episode |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7XHfMhRFPo |website=YouTube |access-date=19 July 2025}}</ref>
|-
| 2008–2010
| ''Mukta''
| ||
| <ref name="dh1"/>
|-
| 2010
| ''Shubhamangala''
| ||
|
|-
| 2013
| ''[[Bigg Boss Kannada 1]]''
| Herself ||
| <ref name="ks"/>
|-
| 2015–2017
| ''[[Majaa Talkies]]''
| rowspan="2" | Varalakshmi ||
| <ref>{{cite news |title=Aparna turns Nagavalli on Maja Talkies |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/kannada/Aparna-turns-Nagavalli-on-Maja-Talkies/articleshow/46409643.cms |work=The Times of India |date=28 February 2015 |accessdate=28 January 2017 |archive-date=9 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160909025901/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/TV/News/Kannada/Aparna-turns-Nagavalli-on-Maja-Talkies/articleshow/46409643.cms |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| 2018–2021
| ''[[Majaa Talkies|Majaa Talkies Super Season]]'' ||
| <ref>{{cite news |title=Sharan to be first guest of Majaa Talkies Super Season |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/kannada/sharan-to-be-first-guest-of-majaa-talkies-super-season/articleshow/62721033.cms |accessdate=3 February 2018 |work=The Times of India |date=31 January 2018 |archive-date=2 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180602131952/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/kannada/sharan-to-be-first-guest-of-majaa-talkies-super-season/articleshow/62721033.cms |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| 2019–2020
| ''[[Ivalu Sujatha]]''
| Durga ||
| <ref>{{cite news |title=Ivalu Sujatha to premiere today; Actress Meghashri to play the lead role |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/kannada/ivalu-sujatha-to-premiere-today-actress-meghashri-to-play-the-lead-role/articleshow/70843070.cms |accessdate=11 October 2019 |work=The Times of India |date=26 August 2019 |archive-date=15 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190915081205/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/kannada/ivalu-sujatha-to-premiere-today-actress-meghashri-to-play-the-lead-role/articleshow/70843070.cms |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| 2021
| ''[[Nannarasi Radhe]]''
| Janaki || Cameo appearance
| <ref>{{Cite news |date=31 August 2021 |title=Aparna Vastrey plays a cameo in the TV show Nannarasi Radhe |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/kannada/aparna-vastrey-plays-a-cameo-in-the-tv-show-nannarasi-radhe/articleshow/85790434.cms |access-date=20 July 2023 |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=20 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720121855/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/kannada/aparna-vastrey-plays-a-cameo-in-the-tv-show-nannarasi-radhe/articleshow/85790434.cms |url-status=live }}</ref>
|}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{IMDb name|5705316}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1965 births]]
[[Category:Year of birth uncertain]]
[[Category:2024 deaths]]
[[Category:Actresses in Kannada cinema]]
[[Category:Indian film actresses]]
[[Category:Actresses in Kannada television]]
[[Category:Indian women television presenters]]
[[Category:Indian television presenters]]
[[Category:Actresses from Bengaluru]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian actresses]]
[[Category:Indian television actresses]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian actresses]]
[[Category:Deaths from lung cancer in India]]

Aparna television presenter - Revision history

BenWunderly at 22:19, 1 May 2026