Who Is Darshan Thoogudeepa? Wife, Girlfriend, Age, Kids, Parents, Height, Biography & Caste

Darshan Thoogudeepa, also known as Darshan, is one of the leading contemporary actors of Kannada cinema. He has starred in over 50 films, many of which were commercially successful and critically acclaimed. He is also a film producer and distributor, who owns the production house Thoogudeepa Productions. He is known for his versatile roles, charismatic screen presence, and action sequences. He has won several awards and accolades for his performances, including the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of the 19th-century warrior Sangolli Rayanna in the 2012 film Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna.
Darshan Thoogudeepa Wiki/Bio, Caste
Name | Darshan Thoogudeepa |
Also known as | Darshan, D BOSS, Challenging Star |
Profession | Actor, producer, distributor |
Date of birth | 16 February 1977 |
Place of birth | Ponnampet, Kodagu, Karnataka, India |
Nationality | Indian |
Caste | Vokkaliga |
Religion | Hinduism |
Zodiac sign | Aquarius |
Marital status | Divorced |
Ex-wife | Vijaya Lakshmi |
Son | Vineesh |
Debut film | Mahabharatha (Kannada, 1997) |
Production house | Thoogudeepa Productions |
Hobbies | Dancing, caring for animals, collecting cars and bikes |
Controversies | Arrested for domestic violence in 2011 |
Links | Wikipedia- @Darshan_(Kannada_actor) Instagram- @darshanthoogudeepashrinivas Homepage- Newsunzip |
Early Life, Birthday and Parents

Darshan Thoogudeepa was born on 16 February 1977 (age: 46 years, as of 2023) in Ponnampet, Kodagu district, in the Indian state of Karnataka. His original name was Hemanth Kumar. He is the son of actor Thoogudeepa Srinivas and Meena. Thoogudeepa Srinivas was a popular actor in the 1960s and 1970s, who acted in over 200 films. He got his screen name from the 1966 film Thoogudeepa, in which he played the lead role. He has a sister, Divya, and a younger brother, Dinakar, who is also a filmmaker and runs the production house Thoogudeepa Productions with him.
Darshan did his primary and secondary education in Mysuru. He was interested in acting from a young age, but his father was reluctant to let him pursue a career in films. However, after his father’s death in 1995, he enrolled himself in Ninasam, a theatre training institute in Shimoga, where he learned the basics of acting and drama. He then worked as a projectionist and an assistant cameraman to veteran cinematographer B. C. Gowrishankar, before getting his first acting break.
Height, Weight
- Height: 6’3’’ / 191 cm / 1.91 m
- Weight: 85 kg / 187 lbs
- Eye color: Brown
- Hair color: Black
- Body measurements: Chest – 42 inches, Waist – 33 inches, Biceps – 14 inches
- Skin color: Tan
- Shoe size: 10 inches
Career

Darshan Thoogudeepa started his acting career in the mid-1990s, appearing in television serials and small roles in films. His first film role was in the 1997 film Mahabharatha, directed by S. Narayan, who gave him the opportunity after noticing his talent in a television soap. He then acted in films such as Devara Maga (2000), Ellara Mane Dosenoo (2000), Bhoothayyana Makkalu (2000) and Mr. Harishchandra (2001), mostly in insignificant and supporting roles.
His breakthrough came in 2002, when he played the lead role in the film Majestic, directed by P. N. Satya. The film was a huge hit and established Darshan as a star in the Kannada film industry. He played the role of Daasa, a rowdy who reforms himself after falling in love with a blind girl. The film was praised for its story, direction, and His performance. He then went on to act in several successful films, such as Kariya (2003), Namma Preethiya Ramu (2003), Kalasipalya (2005), Gaja (2008), Navagraha (2008), Saarathi (2011), Bulbul (2013), Yajamana (2019), Roberrt (2021) and Kaatera (2023). He also experimented with different genres and characters, such as playing a dual role in Indra (2008), a cop in Arjun (2008), a captain in Yodha (2009), and a historical figure in Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna (2012).
Darshan also ventured into film production and distribution, with his production house Thoogudeepa Productions. The first film produced by the banner was Jothe Jotheyali (2006), in which he made a special appearance. The film was a romantic drama, starring Prem and Ramya. The film was a hit and won several awards, including the Filmfare Award for Best Film – Kannada. He then produced films such as Bulbul (2013), Ambareesha (2014), Mr. Airavata (2015), and Viraat (2016), under his banner. He also distributed films such as Chingari (2012), Chakravarthy (2017), and Kurukshetra (2019), through his distribution company.
He has received many awards and honors for his work in films, including the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actor for Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna, the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Kannada for Sangolli Rayanna and Yajamana, the SIIMA Award for Best Actor for Yajamana, and the Suvarna Film Award for Best Actor for Sangolli Rayanna and Saarathi. He has also been nominated for several other awards, such as the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Kannada for Tarak and Roberrt, and the SIIMA Award for Best Actor for Roberrt. He is also one of the highest-paid actors in the Kannada film industry, and has a huge fan following.
Darshan’s Wife Vijayalakshmi To Sue Pavithra Gowda For Claiming To Be His Girlfriend
Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, who is known for his films like Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna and Yajamana, has been embroiled in a controversy over his alleged affair with actress Pavithra Gowda. Pavithra, who has acted in films like Kenda Sampige and Mythri, recently posted a video on her Instagram account, in which she claimed to be his girlfriend for the past 10 years. She also shared some pictures of her with him , with captions like “One decade down; forever to go” and “It’s been 10 years of our relationship”.
However, his wife Vijayalakshmi, who divorced him in 2020, has denied Pavithra’s claims and has threatened to take legal action against her. Vijayalakshmi, who was married to Darshan for 17 years and has a son with him, said that Pavithra was lying and trying to defame her and her family. She also said that he and Pavithra were never in a relationship and that the pictures were taken during the shooting of a film. She added that she had the full support of Darshan and his family and that they would not tolerate such false allegations.
Vijayalakshmi also appealed to the media and the public to not believe Pavithra’s claims, and to respect her privacy and dignity. She said that she had moved on from her divorce and was focusing on her son and her career. She also said that she had no issues with Darshan, and that they were still friends and co-parents.
Spouse, Son

Darshan Thoogudeepa married Vijaya Lakshmi Darshan, a former air hostess, in 2003. The couple has a son, Vineesh, who was born in 2006. He and Vijayalakshmi had a turbulent relationship, which came to light in 2011, when he was arrested for allegedly assaulting his wife. He was later released on bail, and the couple reconciled after a public apology. However, in 2019, they filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. The divorce was finalized in 2020, and they agreed to share the custody of their son.
Darshan has been linked with several actresses in the past, such as Nikita Thukral, Rachita Ram, and Pranitha Subhash. However, he has denied any romantic involvement with them, and has maintained that they are just his friends and co-stars. He has also said that he respects his wife and son, and does not want to hurt them.
He is also known for his philanthropic activities, such as donating money and clothes to the needy, supporting various causes, and adopting animals from the Mysuru Zoo. He has adopted a lion, a tiger, an elephant, and a cheetah, and pays for their maintenance and care. He is also an avid animal lover, and owns several pets, such as dogs, horses, and cows.
Darshan belongs to the Vokkaliga caste, which is one of the dominant communities in Karnataka. He is proud of his roots and culture, and often speaks in his native Kodava language. He is also a devotee of Lord Hanuman, and has a tattoo of the deity on his chest. He is also a fan of cricket, and supports the Indian cricket team.
Net Worth
Year | Net Worth (INR) |
---|---|
2023 | 55 Crore |
2022 | 50 Crore |
2021 | 45 Crore |
Darshan Thoogudeepa is a versatile and talented actor, who has made a mark in the Kannada film industry with his impressive performances and box office success. He is also a successful producer and distributor, who has contributed to the growth and development of the industry. He is a family man, who loves his son and respects his ex-wife. He is also a generous and compassionate person, who helps the needy and cares for the animals. He is an inspiration to many aspiring actors and fans, who admire his passion and dedication for his craft. He is a true star, who has earned the respect and admiration of the people.