Santhosh Kumar (ಸಂತೋಷ್ ಕುಮಾರ್), widely known as Tukali Santhosh or Tukali Star Santu, is an Indian comedian and actor primarily working in Kannada television. He was born on 15 January in Karnataka. He completed a Diploma from Government Polytechnic College (GPTC), Neyyatinkara, and has one sister. He is married to Manasa Santhosh, who later appeared as a contestant in Bigg Boss Kannada Season 11. His career in comedy gained momentum when he appeared in and won the Asianet comedy reality show Comedy Stars Season 2, developing popular on-screen chemistry with comedians Noby Marcose and Pashanam Shaji. He went on to appear in various Kannada television serials and comedy programmes, including the role of Aromal (a memorable villain) in the serial Karuthamuthu, for which he won the Kalakeralam Gurupriya TV Award. He made his film debut with KTM (2021), followed by Chi Tu Yuvakara Sangha (2021). He also participated in the comedy reality show Comedy Khiladigalu (2021). His other television and film credits include Kona. In October 2023, he entered Bigg Boss Kannada Season 10 and was one of its most entertaining and consistent personalities over 110 days. He was eliminated on Day 112, just one day before the grand finale, finishing sixth overall.

Winning Comedy Stars Season 2 (Asianet) with his team; popular comedy chemistry with Noby Marcose and Pashanam Shaji on Asianet television (having worked cross-language); villain character Aromal in the serial Karuthamuthu; Kannada films KTM (2021) and Chi Tu Yuvakara Sangha (2021); Comedy Khiladigalu (2021); finishing as fourth runner-up (just missing the finale) on Bigg Boss Kannada Season 10 on Day 112 (2024). His wife Manasa Santhosh later appeared on Bigg Boss Kannada Season 11.

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