Dheekshith Shetty Explained

Dheekshith Shetty (born 22 December 1995) is an Indian actor and dancer who predominantly works in Kannada and Telugu films. He is winner of Dance Karnataka Dance celebrity season 1.He rose to prominence with his critically acclaimed performance in the Kannada romantic drama, Dia (2020) which earned him a SIIMA Award nomination and established him as one of the most promising talents in the industry.

Starting his career in Kannada television with shows like Naagini and Preethi Endarenu, Shetty transitioned to films and later expanded into Telugu cinema with notable roles in Mugguru Monagallu (2021) and the blockbuster Dasara (2023), for which he won the SIIMA Award for Best Supporting Actor – Telugu.^[3]

Career

Television beginnings (2016–2019)

Dheekshith Shetty began his acting career in Kannada television with the soap operas Preethi Endarenu and Saakshi in 2016. His breakthrough came with the supernatural drama Naagini (2016–2020) on Zee Kannada, where he portrayed Arjun/Partha opposite Deepika Das.^[4] The show's popularity made him a household name in Karnataka. In 2017, he participated in the reality show Dance Karnataka Dance and emerged as the winner, further boosting his visibility.^[5]

Film debut and rise in Kannada cinema (2020–2022)

Shetty made his feature film debut with K. S. Ashoka's romantic drama Dia (2020), playing Rohit.^[6] The film was a critical and commercial success, and his nuanced performance earned him a SIIMA nomination for Best Supporting Actor – Kannada. This role established him as one of the most promising talents in Sandalwood. He also appeared in short films like Oh Fish and Navabelaku during this period.

Entry into Telugu cinema and breakthrough (2021–2023)

In 2021, Shetty debuted in Telugu cinema with Mugguru Monagallu and later starred in The Rose Villa. His major breakthrough came in 2023 with Dasara, directed by Srikanth Odela, where he played Siddham "Suri" alongside Nani, Keerthy Suresh and Shine Tom Chacko.^{[7] [8]} The film was a box-office hit, and Shetty won the SIIMA Award for Best Supporting Actor – Telugu, also earning a Filmfare nomination.

He also appeared in the anthology series Meet Cute produced by Nani.^{[9] [10]}

Recent work and experimentation (2024–present)

In 2024, Shetty starred in KTM, portraying four different avatars to depict a character's journey from teenage years to adulthood, showcasing his versatility.^[11] He also appeared in Blink, an experimental Kannada film inspired by the Oedipus myth, which received glowing reviews for its bold narrative and Shetty's performance.^{[12] [13]}

Shetty's 2025 projects include The Girlfriend in Telugu co-starring Rashmika Mandanna. Upon release, the film garnered mixed reviews with Sruthi Ganapathy Raman of The Hollywood Reporter India writing, "The Girlfriend, led skilfully by Mandanna and Shetty, might be about toxic relationships and revolve around a conventional heteronormative couple with an alpha-beta equation, but it always makes sure to keep its characters accountable."^[14] His next Kannada film, Bank of Bhagyalakshmi and web series Touch Me Not is set for release.

Filmography

Film

Television

Awards and nominations

Notes and References

1. Web site: The Girlfriend - Dheekshith Shetty roped in for Rashmika Mandanna, Rahul Ravindran’s next. OTTPlay.
2. Web site: Post lockdown Dheekshith Shetty spends time farming and swimming at his hometown. 5 May 2021. The Economic Times - The Times of India.
3. News: Nachiyar . Nalme . 2023-03-25 . An actor prepares: Dheekshith Shetty on 'Dasara' and a career of experimentation . 2024-05-12 . The Hindu . en-IN . 0971-751X.
4. News: 2019-07-08 . Kannada TV show Naagini completes 900 episodes; actors Deepika and Deekshith thank the viewers . 2024-05-12 . The Times of India . 0971-8257.
5. News: 2017-12-04 . Naagini team wins Dance Karnataka Dance show . 2024-05-12 . The Times of India . 0971-8257.
6. News: 2024-05-12 . Dia completes two years of its release . The Times of India . 2022-02-07 . 0971-8257.
7. News: 2023-12-26 . Pan-Indian actors have a lot more options to choose from: Dheekshith Shetty . 2024-05-12 . The Times of India . 0971-8257.
8. Web site: V, DHNS . Vivek M. . 'Dasara' and Dheekshith's triumph of hard work . 2024-05-12 . Deccan Herald . en.
9. Web site: Exclusive! Dia star Dheekshith Shetty's next is the Telugu anthology 'Meet Cute' . 2024-05-12 . OTTPlay . en.
10. News: 2021-09-19 . Dheekshith Shetty bags a Telugu film backed by Nani . 2024-05-12 . The Times of India . 0971-8257.
11. Web site: S . Pranati A. . 'KTM' movie review: No good reason to watch this shoddy movie . 2024-05-12 . Deccan Herald . en.
12. News: M.V . Vivek . 2024-03-09 . 'Blink' movie review: Srinidhi Bengaluru makes a solid debut with a gripping time-travel drama . 2024-05-12 . The Hindu . en-IN . 0971-751X.
13. Web site: Blink - Dheekshith Shetty on playing a character with Oedipus complex . 2024-05-12 . OTTPlay . en.
14. News: 'The Girlfriend' Movie Review: An Important, Introspective Relationship Drama . The Hollywood Reporter India . 7 November 2025 . en.
15. News: 25 August 2020 . Dheekshith Shetty and Vainidhi Jagdish's short film to release this Friday . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220514085824/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/dheekshith-shetty-and-vainidhi-jagdishs-short-film-to-release-this-friday/articleshow/77744130.cms . 14 May 2022 . 14 May 2022 . The Times of India.
16. Web site: 18 January 2021 . Dia movie review: Director Ashoka delivers a heart-warming, unique love story . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200215195432/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/reviews/kannada/2020/feb/07/dia-movie-review-16937.html . 15 February 2020 . 14 May 2022 . Cinema Express.
17. Web site: 2021-08-06 . Mugguru Monagallu Telugu Movie Review . 2021-10-04 . 123telugu.com . en . 4 October 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211004045122/https://www.123telugu.com/reviews/mugguru-monagallu-telugu-movie-review.html . live .
18. News: 30 September 2021. The Rose Villa – Official Trailer. The Times of India. 14 May 2022. 14 May 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220514091333/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/entertainment/regional/telugu/the-rose-villa-official-trailer/videoshow/86647793.cms. live.
19. News: 23 March 2022 . Dheekshith Shetty bags a film alongside Telugu star Nani . . 14 May 2022 . 14 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220514085823/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/dheekshith-shetty-bags-a-film-alongside-telugu-star-nani/articleshow/90376970.cms . live .
20. News: 'KTM' movie review: Dheekshith Shetty gives his all in a film stuck in a time warp . 16 February 2024 . Vivek . M.V. . . subscription . https://archive.today/20240217102445/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/ktm-movie-review-dheekshith-shetty-gives-his-all-in-a-film-stuck-in-a-time-warp/article67853404.ece . 17 February 2024 . live.
21. News: S . Pranati A. . 'Blink' movie review: Brilliantly executed time-travel sci-fi drama . 10 March 2024 . . en.
22. Web site: 20 February 2024. The Girlfriend: Dheekshith Shetty to be the boyfriend of Rashmika mandana .
23. Web site: 20 May 2024 . I am happy to take on a different genre with 'Bank of Bhagyalakshmi': Dheekshith Shetty .
24. News: 9 October 2021. Dheekshith Shetty talks about his bustling career. Deccan Herald. 10 July 2022. 27 July 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220727183444/https://www.deccanherald.com/metrolife/metrolife-lifestyle/dheekshith-shetty-talks-about-his-bustling-career-1045515.html. live.
25. Web site: 9 February 2022. Mangaluru: Arjun Lewis directorial Kannada movie 'Strawberry' poster released. daijiworld. 10 July 2022. 26 April 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220426150520/https://www.daijiworld.com/news/newsDisplay?newsID=924715. live.
26. Web site: 20 February 2024. Dasara actor's new Telugu movie titled KJQ.
27. Web site: 27 December 2023. Dheekshith Shetty To Make His Malayalam Debut With OPPEES.
28. News: 11 February 2022. Dheekshith Shetty gets nostalgic recalling Naagini days. The Times of India. 14 May 2022. 14 May 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220514090809/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/kannada/dheekshith-shetty-gets-nostalgic-recalling-naagini-days/articleshow/89495628.cms. live.
29. News: 4 December 2017. Naagini team wins Dance Karnataka Dance show. The Times of India. 10 July 2022. 10 July 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220710015359/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/kannada/naagini-team-wins-dance-karnataka-dance-show/articleshow/61912523.cms. live.
30. News: Dheekshith Shetty plays a cameo in a television serial - Times of India. 2021-06-06. The Times of India.
31. Web site: 26 April 2022 . Nani's Film Locks OTT Platform For Direct Release . Mirchi 9 . 10 July 2022 . 28 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220528172742/https://www.mirchi9.com/movienews/nanis-film-locks-ott-platform-for-direct-release/ . live .
32. Web site: The 9th South Indian International Movie Awards Nominations for 2020 . . 24 August 2021 . 24 August 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210824115648/https://siima.in/2020-nominations.php . dead .
33. Web site: Nominations for Filmfare Awards Telugu 2024 are out! . 2024-07-17 . . en.
34. Web site: 15 September 2024 . SIIMA Awards 2024: Dasara, Hi Nanna, Kaatera and Sapta Sagaradaache Ello win big on Day 1 . 15 September 2024 . The Indian Express . en.