Harish Rai

Biography

*Harish Rai (credited occasionally as Harish Roy*; 1970 – 6 November 2025) was a veteran Indian actor who worked predominantly in Kannada cinema, alongside appearances in Tamil and Telugu films. With a career spanning over three decades and featuring in more than 100 films, he was widely recognized for his imposing screen presence, distinct voice, and commanding portrayals of antagonists, henchmen, and character roles. Born and raised in Karnataka, Harish developed a keen interest in cinema early on and entered the industry during the early 1990s. He made significant inroads into Sandalwood with supporting and negative roles in cult classic action films. He gained notable early attention for his appearance in Upendra's pathbreaking gangster drama Om (1995), followed by films like Samara (1995) and Operation Antha (1995). Throughout the late 1990s and 2000s, he established himself as a reliable antagonist and supporting artist in action, crime, and commercial dramas. His extensive filmography from this era includes memorable roles in Jodi Hakki (1997), Hello Yama (1998), Majestic (2002), Katthegalu Saar Katthegalu (2003), Deadly Soma (2005), and Sanju Weds Geetha (2011). In his later career, Harish achieved widespread pan-Indian recognition for his performance as Khasim Chacha, the loyal aide to Shetty and a key confidant to Rocky, in Prashanth Neel's blockbuster action epics K.G.F: Chapter 1 (2018) and K.G.F: Chapter 2 (2022). His subtle yet authoritative portrayal earned him appreciation from audiences across languages. Beyond the K.G.F franchise, his later work featured appearances in films such as Bangalore Underworld (2017), Andavaada (2019), and Bhiksuka (2023). Harish battled advanced thyroid cancer in his later years, continuing to film projects including K.G.F: Chapter 2 while managing his health challenges. He passed away in Bengaluru in November 2025 at the age of 55, remembered as a dedicated performer and a stalwart character actor of the Kannada film fraternity.