Avinash Shetty
Season Journey CompleteAvinash Shetty
Bio
Asthik Avinash Shetty (ಅಷ್ಟಿಕ್ ಅವಿನಾಶ್ ಶೆಟ್ಟಿ) is an Indian actor, model, former cricketer, and Muay Thai fighter born on 18 July (year undisclosed) in Surathkal, Mangaluru, Karnataka. He earned a degree in BHRD (Bachelor of Hotel and Restaurant Design) from SDM College of Management, Mangaluru, where participation in cultural events and stage performances transformed him from an aspiring cricketer - he had played cricket for the Mangaluru zone - into an entertainer. His entertainment career began when he won the Mr. Mangaluru title in 2007, which led to modelling assignments and television commercial roles including ads for Coke and MRF Tyres through Jazz Bay. In 2012, he won the prestigious Mr. South India title, which opened doors to the Kannada film industry. His Kannada debut was with Challa Pilli (produced by Sudesh Shetty), followed by a notable lead antagonist role in the Puneeth Rajkumar blockbuster Power (2014), receiving critical appreciation for his performance. He then made his Tulu film debut (Coastalwood) as the lead protagonist in Jai Tulunad (produced by NRI entrepreneur Frank Fernandes), which earned him appreciation for handling family drama, romance, and action. He also appeared in the Kannada film Badmaash (2016, dir. Akash Srivatsa, starring Dhananjaya and Sanchitha Shetty), the Hindi film Meri Beti Mera Maan (2016), and in a Telugu film produced by Shanmugam Productions. He later appeared in the film Sreemanta (with Sonu Sood). He also practises Muay Thai. In November 2023, he entered Bigg Boss Kannada Season 10 as one of two wildcard contestants (Week 8, Day 51). He was eliminated in Week 11, finishing eleventh overall.
Lead role as the protagonist in Tulu film Jai Tulunad; negative lead in the Puneeth Rajkumar blockbuster Power (2014); winning Mr. Mangaluru (2007) and Mr. South India (2012); graduating in BHRD (Hotel and Restaurant Management) from SDM College of Management, Mangaluru; debut Kannada film Challa Pilli; entering Bigg Boss Kannada Season 10 as a wildcard (Week 8, 2023).