Rakesh Adiga (ರಾಕೇಶ್ ಅಡಿಗ) is an Indian film actor, rapper, director, and dancer born on 7 July 1986 in Bengaluru, Karnataka. He attended Carmel English School, Padmanabhanagar, and then Janaseva Vidya Kendra residential school, Bengaluru. He is widely credited as the first Kannada rapper, having formed the Kannada hip-hop group Urban Lads with friends - produced by actor Suraj Sarja - and pioneered the Kannada rap scene before mainstream acceptance of the genre. He made his acting debut in Jhossh (2009), a youth action film by Shivamani directed by Y.N. Chandrashekar, playing the role of Rocky/Rakesh. The film was a commercial success, earning him the Asianet Suvarna Best Debut Actor Award. He followed this with Mandahasa (2010) and the villain role as Nimhans Suri in Alemari (2011), for which he received a Bangalore Times Film Awards nomination for Best Actor in a Negative Role. Further films include Crazy Star (2014), Dosti (2014, as playback singer), Raja Loves Radhe, Night Out (2019, which he directed, produced, and led), and Landlord (recent). On television, he appeared in a supporting role in Akka (Zee Kannada, 2019-2020). He is also a trained dancer. In August 2022, he entered Bigg Boss Kannada OTT Season 1, finishing as first runner-up behind Roopesh Shetty. Both then entered Bigg Boss Kannada Season 9 directly. Over 99 days, Rakesh's strong gameplay and friendship with Roopesh made him a fan favourite. He finished as the first runner-up once again on 31 December 2022, receiving ₹25 lakh in prize money.

Breakthrough Kannada debut in Jhossh (2009, winning Asianet Suvarna Best Debut Actor Award); villain role in Alemari (2011); leading the first Kannada hip-hop band 'Urban Lads' (produced by Suraj Sarja); Night Out (2019, which he also directed); Kannada serial Akka (Zee Kannada, 2019-2020); being first runner-up in both Bigg Boss Kannada OTT Season 1 and Bigg Boss Kannada Season 9 (2022).

Frequently Asked