Hariharan Anand (born 4 January 1984), popularly known as Master Anand, is an Indian actor, television director and presenter who primarily works in Kannada cinema and television. Regarded as one of the leading child actors of Kannada cinema in the 1990s,[1] he has received several accolades including the Karnataka State Film Awards.
Anand gained recognition for portraying Ganesha in Gauri Ganesha (1990), which earned him his first Karnataka State Film Award for Best Child Actor (Male). He received the award again for his performance in Thayi Illada Thavaru (1995). After transitioning to adult roles, he made his directorial debut with 5 Idiots (2011).
Since the 2010s, Anand has been actively involved in Kannada television as a director, presenter and reality-show personality. He has directed television serials such as SSLC Nan Maklu (2010–2011), Nigoodha Raathri (2019) and Bhoomige Bandha Bhagavantha (2023–2024). He won the second season of the reality show Dancing Stars (2014) and was a finalist on the third season of show Bigg Boss Kannada. Since 2016, he has hosted two popular reality shows Drama Juniors and Comedy Khiladigalu.
Personal life
Anand was born on 4 January 1984 to V. Hariharan and B. S. Latha in Bangalore, Karnataka, India. He has a brother Arun who is also an actor. Anand is married to Yashaswini on 18 March 2010.[2] The couple have a son and a daughter. Their daughter Vanshika Anjani Kashyapa is also a child artist.[3]
Career
Anand began his career as a child artist in Ravichandran‘s Kindarijogi. As a child actor, he was often credited as Master. He first rose to fame with the 2002 film Friends. He then turned to comedy with the 2010 television series SSLC Nan Maklu, which was telecasted on Asianet Suvarna. In 2011, he debuted as a film director with 5 Idiots. He later directed Paduvaralli Paddegalu, a TV series for Asianet Suvarna and Robo Family, a TV series for Colors Kannada. He was a participant in the second season of Dancing Stars,[4] aired on Colors Kannada; he emerged as the winner[5] in the grand finale. He has acted in over 60 films and has received various awards. He even tasted success as a host through Drama Juniors which was telecasted in Zee Kannada followed by Comedy Khiladigalu which was judged by Jaggesh, Yogaraj Bhat and Rakshita.
Filmography
Films
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Aparoopada Kathe | ||
| 1989 | Kindari Jogi | ||
| 1990 | Shivashankar | ||
| Rani Maharani | |||
| Muthina Haara | Veeraraju | ||
| Hosa Jeevana | |||
| 1991 | Veerappan | ||
| Sundara Kanda | |||
| Ranachandi | |||
| Keralida Kesari | |||
| Gauri Ganesha | Ganesha | ||
| 1992 | Belli Kalungura | ||
| Belliyappa Bangarappa | |||
| Goonda Rajya | |||
| Halli Krishna Delhi Radha | |||
| 1993 | Jwala | ||
| Kollura Sri Mookambika | |||
| Jailer Jagannath | Subhash | ||
| Gundana Maduve | |||
| 1994 | Chinna | ||
| Gandugali | N/a | Dubbing artist | |
| Makkala Sakshi | |||
| Kunthi Puthra | |||
| 1995 | Thayi Illada Thavaru | ||
| Shubha Lagna | |||
| Mojugara Sogasugara | Dubbing artist | ||
| Karulina Kudi | |||
| Hosa Baduku | |||
| Hello Sister | |||
| 1996 | Sowbhagya Devathe | ||
| Shiva Sainya | Ramu | ||
| Pattanakke Banda Putta | |||
| Karpoorada Gombe | |||
| Annavra Makkalu | |||
| 1997 | Ellaranthalla Nanna Ganda | ||
| Simhada Mari | Young Vishwa’s friend | ||
| Mommaga | |||
| Mavana Magalu | |||
| Jenina Hole | |||
| Anna Andre Nammanna | |||
| Nagarika | |||
| 1998 | Marthanda | ||
| 1999 | Nannaseya Hoove | ||
| 2001 | Sri Manjunatha | ||
| Chitte | |||
| Aunty Preethse | |||
| 2002 | Devaru Varavanu Kotre | Anand | |
| Friends | Anand | ||
| 2003 | Hrudayanjali | ||
| Preetisle Beku | Harish’s friend | ||
| Panchali | |||
| Mani | |||
| Hudugigagi | Manoj | ||
| 2004 | Jyeshta | Anand | |
| Gowdru | N/a | Dubbing artist | |
| Baithare Baithare | |||
| 2005 | Hudgeer Saar Hudgeeru | ||
| 2007 | Sajni | ||
| Preethigaagi | Sanju’s friend | ||
| Road Romeo | |||
| Meera Madhava Raghava | |||
| 2008 | Huttidare Kannada Nadalli Huttabeku | ||
| Chikkamagaloora Chikka Mallige | |||
| 2010 | Preethi Nee Heegeke | ||
| Preethi Andre Ishtena | |||
| Banni | |||
| 2011 | 5 Idiots | Ganesh | Also director, screenwriter and playback singer |
| 2013 | Pyarge Aagbittaite | ||
| 2015 | Bullet Basya | Painter | |
| Jathre | |||
| 2016 | …Re | ||
| 2019 | Hagalu Kanasu | Vikram | |
| 2021 | Premam Poojyam | ||
| 2022 | Bypass Road | ||
| 2023 | Na Kolikke Ranga | Ranga |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010–2011 | SSLC Nan Maklu | Also director | [6] | |
| 2011–2012 | Paduvaralli Paddegalu | N/a | As director | [6] |
| c. 2013–2015 | Robo Family | N/a | As director | [6] |
| 2014 | Dancing Stars | Contestant | Season 2; winner | [7] |
| 2015–2016 | Bigg Boss Kannada | Contestant | Season 3; finalist | [8] |
| 2016– | Drama Juniors | Host | [9] | |
| 2016– | Comedy Khiladigalu | Host | [10] | |
| 2019 | Nigoodha Raathri | N/a | As director | [11] |
| 2023–2024 | Bhoomige Bandha Bhagavantha | N/a | As director | [11] |
Awards and honours
- Karnataka State Award: Best Child Artist (Gauri Ganesha – 1991–92)
- Karnataka State Award: Best Child Artist (Thayi Illada Thavaru – 1994–95)
- Filmfare Award: Best Child Artist (Makkala Sakshi 1995–96)
References
- ^ “Child artists’ of yesteryears of Kannada cinema star attractions”. The Hindu. 13 November 2014. Archived from the original on 22 December 2017. Retrieved 7 June 2026.
- ^ “Master Anand ties the knot with Yashaswini”. 29 March 2010.
- ^ “ಬಾಲನಟಿ ವಂಶಿಕಾ ಹೆಸರು ಬಳಸಿ ಫೈನಾನ್ಶಿಯರುಗಳಿಗೂ ಧೋಖಾ ಮಾಡಿದ ನಿಶಾ!”. Vistara News. 25 July 2023.
- ^ “Master Anand peaking at the right time – Times of India”. The Times of India.
- ^ “Exclusive! Master Anand wins Dancing Stars 2 – Times of India”. The Times of India.
- ^ a b c “Master Anand to direct a new serial”. The Times of India. 14 December 2020. Retrieved 7 June 2026.
- ^ “Exclusive! Master Anand wins Dancing Stars 2”. The Times of India. 23 June 2015. Retrieved 7 June 2026.
- ^ “Shruthi wins Bigg Boss!”. The Times of India. 24 January 2017. Retrieved 7 June 2026.
- ^ “Master Anand turns television host”. The Times of India. 30 April 2016. Retrieved 7 June 2026.
- ^ “Comedy Khiladigalu season 3 is back on television”. The Times of India. 15 August 2019. Retrieved 7 June 2026.
- ^ a b “Master Anand is set to direct a new soap opera”. The Times of India. 10 February 2021. Retrieved 7 June 2026.
