Akul Balaji (born Akula Balaji on 23 February 1979) is an Indian actor, television host, and dancer who works in Kannada and Telugu. Originally from Koduru in Andhra Pradesh, he moved to Bengaluru at the age of 16, where he trained in Bharatanatyam under Smt. Usha Datar and later in Kathak under Guru Dr. Maya Rao. He began his television career with Kannada serials such as Agatha (2002) on Udaya TV and went on to host several hit shows including Kuniyonu Baara and Comedy Killadigalu on Zee Kannada, and multiple seasons of Pyate Hudgir Halli Lifu and Pyate Mandi Kadige Bandru on Asianet Suvarna. In 2010, he received the Most Popular Anchor Award from Big FM Big TV. He also hosted Telugu shows like Sye Ante Sye on Zee Telugu and ThakaDhimiTha Dancing Stars on ETV Kannada. In 2014, he won Bigg Boss Kannada Season 2 by public vote, which stands as one of the major milestones of his career. He later returned to acting with roles in Kannada films and television projects.
Co-hosting the Kannada reality show Pyate Hudgir Halli Lifu on Asianet Suvarna with Sudeep, and winning Bigg Boss Kannada Season 2 (2014).