Remember Actor Shashi Kumar From Rajinikanth-starrer Baashha? Here’s What He’s Doing Now

One of Rajinikanth’s most successful films in his career was Baashha, which ran for nearly 15 months in the theatres. While the film won many praises, accolades and awards, it also left quite an impression in the minds of the audience. It was also remade in Kannada as Kotigobba and in Bengali as Guru. You may remember Rajinikanth’s character as Manikam / Manik Baashha, but do you remember his brother, Shiva, portrayed by Shashi Kumar? Do you know what he is doing nowadays? Shashi Kumar is an actor and politician from Karnataka, who has worked mostly in Kannada films. He has acted with many leading ladies in the 90s. He gained immense fame after starring with Rajinikanth in the blockbuster film Baashha in 1995. The film was written and directed by Suresh Krissna. The film also starred Nagma and Raghuvaran, with Janagaraj, Devan, Vijayakumar, Anandaraj, Sathyapriya, Shenbaga and Yuvarani in supporting roles. Shashi Kumar was also called the Supreme Hero by the audience.

The actor has been part of many successful films like Yuddha Kaanda, Rani Maharani and Baare Nanna Muddina Rani. He has acted with top actresses like Malashri and their pairing was an all-time hit. He has also worked with Sudha Rani, Tara, Mahalakshmi, Soundarya, Sithara and Shruti. Reportedly after 1998, he gradually got fewer and fewer lead roles.

As per reports, in 1998, Shashi Kumar met with a car accident near the Bangalore Turf Club in 1998. He had to undergo surgeries which altered his looks and the offers for lead roles from big banners stopped coming his way. He signed up for supporting roles in multi-starrers like Habba, Kanasugara, Snehaloka and Yajamana. Later, he decided to venture into politics.

Shashi Kumar was a member of the 13th Lok Sabha representing Chitradurga and contested on Janata Dal ticket. He won the elections and became a Member of Parliament. In 2006, he joined the Indian National Congress. As per a few reports, he has been recovering from an incident due to alcoholism. The actor was last seen in the 2024 film titled Krishnam Pranaya Sakhi.