Karthik Mahesh (ಕಾರ್ತಿಕ್ ಮಹೇಶ್), affectionately known as Karthi, is an Indian actor and model born on 7 October 1992 in Mysuru, Karnataka. He grew up in Mysuru in a middle-class Hindu family, attending Marimallappa High School and St. Joseph's High School before earning a Bachelor of Science degree from SBRR Mahajana First Grade College, Mysuru. He trained in the traditional Kamsale folk art - a brass instrument performance traditionally associated with devotees of God Mahadeshwara - for ten years at JSS College of Arts, Commerce and Science, Mysuru. It was while performing comedic roles in college dramas that he decided to pursue acting as a career. He relocated to Bengaluru, initially working as a model in print advertisements and television commercials before auditioning for television shows. His Kannada television career began with Akka (2014-2015, Jaya TV), followed by Bangari (2017, Colors Super), Shani (2018, Colors Kannada), Mahakaali (2018), Inthi Nimma Asha (2020), and Raaji (2022, Star Suvarna). His most celebrated serial role was as Chandru in Puttakkana Makkalu (Zee Kannada, 2022), opposite veteran actress Umashree. He lost his father in 2021. His film breakthrough came with Dollu (2022, dir. Saad Khan), playing the lead role Bhadra - the film was selected by the Indian government for the European Film Market at Berlinale and won multiple national and international festival awards including the Rajasthan International Film Festival award for Best Regional Feature Film, earning him a nomination for Best Debutant Actor at both the Chittara Star Awards and SIIMA Awards 2023. He appeared in Ondu Sarala Prema Kathe as well. In October 2023, he entered Bigg Boss Kannada Season 10 (themed 'Happy Bigg Boss') hosted by Kiccha Sudeep on Colors Kannada and JioCinema. On 28 January 2024, he was crowned the winner of Season 10, receiving a record 2,97,39,904 votes - defeating first runner-up Drone Prathap by over 70 lakh votes. He took home a ₹50 lakh cash prize, a Brezza car, and an e-scooter.
Role of Bhadra in the National Award-winning Kannada film Dollu (2022); serials Puttakkana Makkalu (Zee Kannada, as Chandru), Bangari (Colors Super), and Antarapata; winning Bigg Boss Kannada Season 10 (2024) hosted by Kiccha Sudeep with a record 2.97 crore votes; ten years of Kamsale folk art training.