Haresh Kathrotiya at 15:07, 23 March 2026

2026-03-23T15:07:51Z

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{{short description|Indian actor (born 1993)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Kiran Raj
| image =
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1993|07|05|df=yes}}
| birth_place =
| education =
| occupation = {{hlist|Actor|model}}
| years_active = 2010{{endash}}present
| relatives =
| title =
| spouse =
| partner =
| children =
| awards =
| website = www.kiranraj.me
| works = ''[[Tu Aashiqui]]'' (2017–18)<br/>''[[Kannadathi (TV series)|Kannadathi]]'' (2020–23) )<br/>''Karna'' (2025-present)
}}

'''Kiran Raj''' (born 5 July)<ref>{{Cite news |title=Chitkala Biradar sends birthday wishes to on-screen son Kiran Raj from San Diego; says, "You are the reason behind Ammamma's fame" |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/kannada/chitkala-biradar-sends-birthday-wishes-to-on-screen-son-kiran-raj-from-san-diego-says-you-are-the-reason-behind-ammammas-fame/articleshow/92703241.cms |access-date=2025-01-30 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> is an Indian actor and model who works in [[Kannada]] and [[Hindi]] television and cinema. He is best known for portraying Harsha Kumar in the drama series ''[[Kannadathi (TV series)|Kannadathi]]'' (2020–2023).<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-10-12 |title=Kiran Raj on winning 'Best Actor' award for the third time: This award solidifies my beliefs and inspires me to work even harder |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/kannada/kiran-raj-on-winning-best-actor-award-for-the-third-time-this-award-solidifies-my-beliefs-and-inspires-me-to-work-even-harder/articleshow/94813341.cms |access-date=2025-01-30 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Kiran Raj: Always ready for a great performance |url=https://www.easterneye.biz/kiran-raj-always-ready-for-a-great-performance/ |access-date=2025-01-30 |website=[[Eastern Eye]] |language=en}}</ref> As of 2025, Raj is reported to be among the highest-paid actors in Kannada television.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ಕರ್ಣ ಧಾರಾವಾಹಿಗೆ ನಟ ಕಿರಣ್‌ ರಾಜ್‌ ಪಡೆಯುತ್ತಿರುವ ಸಂಭಾವನೆ ಎಷ್ಟು ಗೊತ್ತಾ? ಇದು ಕನ್ನಡ ಕಿರುತೆರೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಅತಿ ಹೆಚ್ಚು ಸಂಭಾವನೆ |url=https://zeenews.india.com/kannada/photo-gallery/karna-serial-fame-kiran-raj-remuneration-324537 |access-date=2025-08-14 |website=Zee News Kannada |language=kn}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bhat |first=Padamshree |date=11 March 2025 |title=ಕನ್ನಡ ಕಿರುತೆರೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಅತಿ ಹೆಚ್ಚು ಸಂಭಾವನೆ ಪಡೆದ ಕಿರಣ್‌ ರಾಜ್! |url=https://kannada.asianetnews.com/tv-talk/karna-serial-hero-interview-actor-kiran-raj-is-highest-paid-actor-in-kannada-tv-industry-ssyigj |access-date=14 August 2025 |website=Asia Net News |language=kn}}</ref>

== Career ==
As of June 2025, Raj is playing the titular character of a [[gynaecologist]] in [[Zee Kannada]]'s ''Karna''.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Kiran Raj reigns as TRP king: Karna tops ratings yet again |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/kannada/kiran-raj-reigns-as-trp-king-karna-tops-ratings-yet-again/articleshow/123051734.cms |access-date=2025-08-14 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Kiran Raj makes a triumphant return to Kannada television as a gynecologist in 'Karna' |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/kannada/kiran-raj-makes-a-triumphant-return-to-kannada-television-as-a-gynecologist-in-karna/articleshow/118883310.cms |access-date=2025-08-14 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Joy |first=Pratibha |date=13 June 2025 |title=Kiran Raj on his return to the small screen: The honest and practical truth is… |url=https://www.ottplay.com/news/kiran-raj-on-his-return-to-the-small-screen-the-honest-and-practical-truth-is/ad721b1f5e488 |access-date=14 August 2025 |website=OTT Play}}</ref> The show gained the highest TRP ratings on Kannada television in the first three weeks.<ref>{{Cite web |last=M. |first=Manohara |date=2025-07-26 |title=Karna Serial: ಬಂದಿದ್ದು ಲೇಟಾದ್ರೂ ಮುನ್ನುಗ್ಗಿದ |url=https://kannada.oneindia.com/entertainment/kiran-raj-tv-serial-karna-sets-new-trp-records-every-week-421843.html |access-date=2025-08-14 |website=One India |language=kn}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-07-16 |title=ಟಿಆರ್ ಪಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಕಿರಣ್ ರಾಜ್ ನಂಬರ್ 1 |url=https://tv9kannada.com/web-stories/entertainment/kiran-raj-starrer-karna-serial-became-number-1-serial |access-date=2025-08-14 |website=Kannada News |language=kn}}</ref>

Following the release of Ronny: The Ruler (2024), Raj received increased attention for his performance, which contributed to his growing presence in Kannada cinema. In interviews, he stated that the film marked an important phase in his career and expressed interest in exploring a wider range of roles across different genres.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Kiran Raj soars after Ronny: The Ruler success, sets sights on diverse new roles |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/kannada/kiran-raj-soars-after-ronny-the-ruler-success-sets-sights-on-diverse-new-roles/articleshow/113520424.cms |work=The Times of India |access-date=2025-01-30}}</ref>

In 2021, Raj became the first Kannada television actor to trend on Google Search in India, reflecting his popularity at the time among television audiences.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Kiran Raj becomes the first Kannada TV actor to trend on Google Search; details inside |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/kannada/kiran-raj-becomes-the-first-kannada-tv-actor-to-trend-on-google-search-details-inside/articleshow/86672694.cms |work=The Times of India |access-date=2025-01-30}}</ref>

In 2025, Raj garnered further attention with the teaser of his upcoming film Jockey 42, which received significant online viewership shortly after its release. The teaser highlighted a restrained performance by the actor and generated anticipation for the film prior to its theatrical release.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Kiran Raj shines in a silent yet powerful Jockey 42 teaser, breaks the internet |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/kannada/kiran-raj-shines-in-a-silent-yet-powerful-jockey-42-teaser-breaks-the-internet/articleshow/125259193.cms |work=The Times of India |access-date=2025-01-30}}</ref>

During the same period, Raj continued his work in Kannada television with Karna, which recorded high viewership ratings during its initial weeks of broadcast.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Kiran Raj reigns as TRP king: Karna tops ratings yet again |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/kannada/kiran-raj-reigns-as-trp-king-karna-tops-ratings-yet-again/articleshow/123051734.cms |work=The Times of India |access-date=2025-01-30}}</ref>

== Filmography ==
{|class="wikitable sortable"
!Year
!Film
!Role
!Notes
|-
| 2010 || ''[[Huli (film)|Huli]]'' || || Uncredited role<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=2022-05-31 |title=Did you know eminent actor Kiran Raj started his career as a junior artist? |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/kannada/tuesday-trivia-did-you-know-eminent-actor-kiran-raj-started-his-career-as-a-junior-artist/articleshow/91915213.cms |access-date=2025-01-30 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>
|-
| 2017 || ''[[March 22 (film)|March 22]]'' || Rahul ||
|-
| 2018 || ''Asathoma Sadgamaya'' || Raghava ||<ref>{{Cite news |title=Asathoma Sadgamaya Movie Review |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movie-reviews/asathoma-sadgamaya/movie-review/64881890.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2025-01-30 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="3" | 2024|| ''[[Bharjari Gandu (2024 film)|Bharjari Gandu]]'' || Akash || <ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharadhaa |first=A. |date=2024-04-12 |title='Bharjari Gandu' movie review: Interesting premise let down by an unfocused execution |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/review/2024/Apr/06/bharjari-gandu-movie-review-interesting-premise-let-down-by-an-unfocused-execution |access-date=2025-01-30 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| ''[[Megha (2024 film)|Megha]]'' || Megha ||<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharadhaa |first=A. |date=2024-12-03 |title='Megha' movie review: Impactful illustration of communication in relationships |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/review/2024/Nov/30/megha-movie-review-impactful-illustration-of-communication-in-relationships |access-date=2025-01-30 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| ''[[Ronny (2024 film)|Ronny: The Ruler]]'' || Raghava / Ronny || <ref>{{Cite web |title=Ronny: The Ruler Movie Review: Ronny review: Yet another gangster drama |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movie-reviews/ronny-the-ruler/amp_movie_review/113278526.cms |access-date=2025-01-30 |website=timesofindia.indiatimes.com}}</ref>
|-
|{{TBA}}
| ''Jockey 42'' || Kiran and Raj
|
|-
|}

== Television ==
*''[[Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai]]'' (cameo)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Addicted to acting since childhood: TV star Kiran Raj |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/addicted-to-acting-since-childhood-tv-star-kiran-raj-934205.html |access-date=2025-01-30 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}}</ref>
*''[[Tu Aashiqui]]'' (2017–18) as Murali "Monty" Shetty<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Kiran Raj, who has been a part of TV shows like Tu Aashiqui and Chandramukhi, wishes to explore life to the fullest |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/entertainment/kiran-raj-who-has-been-a-part-of-tv-shows-like-tu-aashiqui-and-chandramukhi-wishes-to-explore-life-to-the-fullest-359565/ |access-date=2025-01-30 |website=The Tribune |language=en}}</ref>
*''[[Life Super Guru]]'' as himself<ref name=":1" />
*''Devathe'' (2015–17)<ref>{{Cite web |last=SM |first=Shashiprasad |date=2018-06-21 |title=Kiran Raj straddles 2 worlds |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/sandalwood/210618/kiran-raj-straddles-2-worlds.html |access-date=2025-01-30 |website=[[Deccan Chronicle]] |language=en}}</ref>
*''Chandramukhi'' (2020) as Rakesh<ref name=":0" />
*''Kinnari'' (2020) as Nakul (replaced by Pavan Kumar)<ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-06-25 |title=Pavan Kumar aka Nakul of Kinnari fame gets candid about his journey in the show |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/kannada/pavan-kumar-aka-nakul-of-kinnari-fame-gets-candid-about-his-journey-in-the-show/photostory/76625352.cms |access-date=2025-01-30 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>
*''[[Kannadathi (TV series)|Kannadathi]]'' (2020–23) as Harsha Kumar<ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-05-30 |title=Kannada serials revolve around emotions and sentiment, says Kiran Raj |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/kannada/kannada-serials-revolve-around-emotions-and-sentiment-says-kiran-raj/articleshow/76106644.cms |access-date=2025-01-30 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>
* ''Karna'' (2025–present) as Karna

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb name|11825536}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Raj, Kiran}}
[[Category:Indian actors]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Male actors in Kannada television]]
[[Category:Male actors in Hindi television]]
[[Category:Indian male television actors]]
[[Category:Actors in Kannada cinema]]
[[Category:Indian film actors]]
[[Category:Indian male film actors]]
[[Category:1993 births]]

Kiran Raj - Revision history

Haresh Kathrotiya at 15:07, 23 March 2026