Shruti (born Girija, 18 September 1975 in Hassan, Karnataka) is a veteran Indian actress, politician, and television personality who has appeared in over 140 films across Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam cinema over a career spanning more than 35 years. She spent her childhood in Puttur, Dakshina Kannada, before relocating to Bengaluru. She is the sister of popular Kannada comedian-actor Sharan. She debuted as a supporting actress in Aasegobba Meesegobba (1989) and received her screen name 'Shruti' from director-producer Dwarakish for her debut leading role in the film Shruti (1990), which ran for over 25 weeks in theatres. Through the 1990s she became one of Kannada cinema's most celebrated leading ladies, known for her emotional intensity - earning the epithet 'Kannera Rani' (Queen of Tears) - through films like Gauri Ganesha (1991), Bombat Hendthi (Karnataka State Award), Veerappa Nayaka, Midida Hrudayagalu, Muddina Maava, and CBI Shiva. Her Tamil film Kalki (1996, dir. K. Balachander) earned her both the Filmfare Award South and the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress. She won four Filmfare Awards South and three Karnataka State Film Awards in total. In later years she transitioned to character roles, earning acclaim in Kalpana (2012), Gombegala Love (2013), Bhajarangi 2 (2021), and Kaatera (2023). She has also served as Chairperson of the Karnataka Women's Development Corporation (2008-09) and Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (2020-21) under the BJP government. She has been married twice: to S. Mahendar (1998-2009, divorced) and Chakravarthy Chandrachud (2013-14, divorced). In October 2015, she entered Bigg Boss Kannada Season 3 on Colors Kannada, hosted by Sudeep, where she became a mother-figure to most housemates. On 31 January 2016, she was declared the winner - becoming the first female contestant ever to win Bigg Boss Kannada - taking home a trophy and ₹50 lakh prize money, fulfilling a wish made to her daughter.

Over 140 Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam films including Gauri Ganesha (1991), Bombat Hendthi (Karnataka State Award), and Kalpana (2012); Filmfare Award South for Best Actress for Tamil film Kalki (1996, dir. K. Balachander); Karnataka State Film Award winner; BJP Karnataka Women's Wing Chief Secretary; first female winner in Bigg Boss Kannada history (Season 3, 2016); sister of actor Sharan.

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