Biography
*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).
Acted in 203
2020s
- 2026
Brindavihari
Movie
Spark
Movie
Hayagrriva
Movie
- 2025
Flirt
Movie
Bank Of Bhagyalakshmi
Movie
Ekka
Movie
Unlock Raghava
Movie
- 2024
UI
Movie
Karki Nanu BA, LLB
Movie
Krishnam Pranaya Sakhi
Kumar
Night Curfew
sadhu swami
Avatara Purusha 2
Rampa
Sanju Weds Geetha 2
Movie
Ondu Sarala Prema Kathe
Sadhu
Upadhyaksha
Movie
- 2023
Kick
Judge
Love Birds
Movie
Kranti
Kranti's Aide
Mr. Bachelor
Movie
- 2022
Dil Pasand
Santhosh's boss
Oh My Love
Movie
Avatara Purusha: Part 1
Rampa
Trikona
Movie
James
Movie
Yellow Board
Movie
Bytwo Love
Matrimonial company manager
- 2021
Arjun Gowda
Movie
Drishya 2
Restaurant customer
Sakath
Sadhu
Premam Poojyam
Movie
SriKrishna@gmail.com
Movie
Yuvarathnaa
Movie
- 2020
Mayabazar 2016
Pataki Pandu
2010s
- 2019
India vs England
Movie
Odeya
Movie
Damayanthi
Movie
Ayushman Bhava
Movie
Mane Maratakkide
Movie
Bharaate
Movie
Ellidde Illi Tanaka
Movie
Adhyaksha In America
Jimmy Carter
Kiss
Movie
Amar
Movie
Seizer
Movie
Yajamana
Captain JaganMohan
Natasaarvabhowma
Namadev
Seetharama Kalyana
Movie
- 2018
Swartharatna
Movie
Orange
Movie
Victory 2
Movie
Onthara Bannagalu
Sadhu Maharaj
Ayogya
Movie
Raambo 2
Blind Man
Buckasura
Movie
Brihaspathi
Movie
Double Engine
Movie
- 2017
Chamak
Movie
Dhairyam
Movie
Mufti
Ad Hero
Athiratha
Movie
Mahanubhavaru
Movie
College Kumar
Movie
Upendra Matte Baa
Atmananda
Sathya Harishchandra
Movie
Kariya 2
Movie
March 22
Movie
Bangara s/o Bangarada Manushya
Movie
Maasthi Gudi
Movie
Raaga
Movie
Raajakumara
Anthony Gonsalves
Lee
Movie
- 2016
Naanu Mattu Varalakshmi
Movie
Sundaranga Jaana
Hanumantha Rao
Mungaru Male 2
Nandini's uncle
Zoom
MJ
Lakshmana
Movie
Luv U Alia
Movie
Jaggu Dada
Movie
Chakravyuha
Sadhu
Shivalinga
a thief-turned house servant
Jessie
Movie
- 2015
1st Rank Raju
Shani Kappor (S.K, Shani)
Ramleela
Sippy
Aatagara
Sadhu Maharaj, a chef
Mr. Airavata
Police Constable Bahubali
A 2nd Hand Lover
Movie
Cigarette
Movie
Buguri
Movie
Male
Charlie
Bullet Basya
Basya's Father
Ranna
Movie
Mrugashira
Movie
Krishna Leela
Movie
Raja Rajendra
Inspector Indrajith
Siddhartha
Movie
Khushi Khushiyagi
Movie
- 2014
Mr & Mrs Ramachari
Manche Gowda
Ambareesha
Movie
Thirupathi Express
Indrajaala
Power
Kidney Kamangi
Jai Lalitha
Doctor's Husband
Drishya
Movie
Gajakessari
Chuncha
Maanikya
Veera Pratapa Simha
Chandralekha
Movie
Rangan Style
Movie
Chandra
Andy Roberts
Ninnindale
Lucky
- 2013
Shravani Subramanya
Movie
Bhajarangi
Movie
Sweety Nanna Jodi
Movie
Nam Duniya Nam Style
Movie
Auto Raja
Movie
Bulbul
Movie
Madarangi
Movie
Chatrigalu Sir Chatrigalu
Movie
- 2012
Yaare Koogadali
Shishupala
Mr 420
SI Kashinath
Snehitaru
Movie
Rambo
Dumil Krishna
Crazy Loka
Movie
Jaanu
Movie
Narasimha
Movie
Lucky
Movie
Parijatha
Movie
- 2011
Bodyguard
Movie
Police Story 3
Movie
Johny Mera Naam Preethi Mera Kaam
Dr. Halappa
Hudugaru
Chintamani
Sanju Weds Geetha
Movie
Rajani
Movie
- 2010
Shourya
Movie
Hendtheer Darbar
Movie
Mr. Theertha
Movie
Aithalakkadi
Movie
Ullasa Uthsaha
Movie
Prithvi
Movie
Porki
Movie
2000s
- 2009
Raam
Movie
Devaru Kotta Tangi
Movie
Gilli
Movie
Male Barali Manju Irali
Movie
Yodha
Movie
Hatrick Hodi Maga
Movie
Circus
Movie
- 2008
Sangama
Movie
Kodagana Koli Nungitha
Movie
Nee Tata Naa Birla
Movie
- 2007
Prarambha
Gunda
Snehana Preethina
Movie
Amrutha Vani
Movie
Masti
Movie
Parodi
Movie
- 2006
Hubballi
Anna
Aishwarya
Movie
Odahuttidavalu
Movie
Suntaragaali
Movie
Mandya
Movie
- 2005
Anna Thangi
Chimpanzee
Swamy
Movie
Auto Shankar
Movie
Gowramma
Movie
Ayya
Movie
- 2004
Kalasipalya
Jacky
- 2003
Raktha Kanneeru
Movie
Mane Magalu
Movie
Thayi Illada Thabbali
Movie
Kiccha
C. D. Babu
Neenandre Ishta
Movie
Laali Haadu
Movie
- 2002
Dhum
Movie
Dhruva
Movie
Nagarahavu
Movie
Prema Khaidi
Movie
Chandu
Movie
H2O
Movie
- 2001
Jodi
Movie
Raa
Movie
Vaalee
Vikki
Usire
Movie
- 2000
O Nanna Nalle
Movie
Preethsu Thappenilla
Movie
1990s
- 1999
O Premave
Movie
A.K.47
Sadhu
Mr. X
Movie
- 1998
Hello Yama
Chitragupta
Yaare Neenu Cheluve
Movie
- 1997
Jackie Chan
Movie
Ganga Yamuna
Movie
- 1996
Shreemathi Kalyana
Movie
- 1995
Operation Antha
Movie
Om
Shankar
- 1993
Shhh!
Kung Fu Kannan
No release date
Golmaal
Movie
Nee Siguvaregu
Movie
Preethiya Rayabhari
Movie
Sound 40
2020s
- 2024
Kangaroo
Music Director
2010s
- 2017
Maasthi Gudi
Music
- 2016
Kiragoorina Gayyaligalu
Original Music Composer
- 2012
Edegarike
Original Music Composer
Dashamukha
Music
- 2010
Shourya
Music Director
Hendtheer Darbar
Original Music Composer
Aithalakkadi
Music
2000s
- 2008
Gange Baare Thunge Baare
Music Director
Inthi Ninna Preethiya
Original Music Composer
- 2007
Anatharu
Music
Duniya
Original Music Composer
Ee Rajeev Gandhi Alla
Music Director
- 2006
Thangigagi
Music Director
Ashoka
Music Director
Suntaragaali
Music Director
- 2005
Deadly Soma
Music Director
Masala
Music Director
Shastri
Music Director
Rakshasa
Music Director
- 2004
Darshan
Music Director
- 2003
Daasa
Music Director
Laali Haadu
Music Director
- 2002
Kitty
Music Director
H2O
Music
Majestic
Music Director
1990s
- 1999
Mr. X
Music Director
- 1998
Agni Sakshi
Music Director
- 1997
Jackie Chan
Original Music Composer
- 1996
Police Story
Original Music Composer
Dhani
Music Director
Huliya
Music Director
Shreemathi Kalyana
Music Director
Ibbara Naduve Muddina Aata
Music Director
- 1995
Aata Hudugata
Music Director
Nighatha
Music Director
Bal Nan Maga
Music Director
Savyasachi
Music
- 1994
Curfew
Music Director
- 1993
Shhh!
Music
Directed 8
2010s
- 2011
Police Story 3
Director
- 2010
Shourya
Director
Mr. Theertha
Director
2000s
- 2008
Gange Baare Thunge Baare
Director
- 2007
Anatharu
Director
- 2006
Suntaragaali
Director
- 2005
Rakshasa
Director
- 2003
Raktha Kanneeru
Director
Wrote 6
2010s
- 2010
Shourya
Screenplay
Mr. Theertha
Writer
2000s
- 2008
Gange Baare Thunge Baare
Screenplay
- 2007
Anatharu
Screenplay
- 2006
Suntaragaali
Screenplay
- 2005
Rakshasa
Screenplay
Appearances1
2010s
- 2014
Weekend With Ramesh
Himself · 2 episodes