Milana Nagaraj

In this Indian name, the name Nagaraj is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by the given name, Milana.

Milana Nagaraj
Born25 April[1]
Hassan, Karnataka, India
Alma materVivekananda Institute of Technology, Bengaluru
Occupations
  • Actress
  • producer
Years active2013–present
Spouse
​
(m. 2021)​
Children1

Milana Nagaraj (born 25 April) is an Indian actress who primarily works in Kannada films. Considered as one of the leading actresses in Kannada cinema, Milana is a recipient of several accolades including a Karnataka State Film Award, a Filmfare Awards South and two SIIMA Awards.[2][3]

Milana made her acting debut with Nam Duniya Nam Style (2013). The same year, she received Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Kannada nomination, for her performance in Brindavana. Post a series of failures, Milana received acclaim for her portrayal of Nidhi in Love Mocktail (2020) and its sequel Love Mocktail 2 (2022), both of which were commercial successes.[4] For the former, she won the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress – Kannada and SIIMA Award for Best Actress – Kannada. Further success came with Kousalya Supraja Rama (2023).

Milana is married to her co-actor Darling Krishna, with whom she has a daughter.[5][6]

Early life and work

Milana was born in Hassan, Karnataka.[1][7] She completed her schooling in Hassan. She completed her BE in computer science from Vivekananda Institute of Technology, Bengaluru and is a computer engineer. She was a state-level backstroke swimmer, before she started modelling.[8][9]

Milana started her career as a model and participated in Femina Miss Karnataka, where she won "Miss Best Personality". She then ventured into acting.[10]

Career

Early work and struggle (2013-2019)

Milana made her screen debut with the 2013 film Nam Duniya Nam Style opposite Likith Shetty.[11] A Times of India critic noted, "Milana excels with good expressions and dialogue delivery."[12] In the same year, she portrayed Madhu, a college student opposite Darshan in Brindavana, a remake of Telugu film Brindavanam.[13] Several critics stated that Milana "impresses" with her expressions. She received a nomination for Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Kannada.[14] It was a box office success.[15] In 2015, she portrayed Purvi in Charlie, opposite Krishna.[16]

Milana had two film releases in 2017. She first made her Malayalam film debut with Avarude Raavukal opposite Vinay Forrt.[17] Cris from Deccan Chronicle stated, "Milana has done a neat job but seems like an afterthought."[18] Milana next portrayed Aishwarya, a politician's daughter in Jani opposite Vijay Raghavendra.[19] A critic of Vijaya Karnataka stated that Milana has "bare minimum to do".[20]

Success and critical acclaim (2020-2022)

Following a three year hiatus, Milana made her comeback to films with the 2020 film Love Mocktail.[21] She portrayed Nidhima, software employee opposite Krishna, which she also co-produces. A Shraddha from The New Indian Express stated, "A unique role for Milana, she shows maturity in her acting."[22] Aravind Shwetha of The News Minute noted, "Milana has a refreshing character and plays her part well. She must continue to pick roles that bring the best out of her."[23] A major commercial success, it emerged as the fourth highest grossing Kannada film of the year.[24] The same year, she portrayed Spandana in Matte Udbhava opposite Panju.[25] Times of India mentioned that "Milana Nagaraj chips in with a good performance."[26] Love Mocktail won her the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress – Kannada and she received her first Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Kannada nomination.[27]

Milana further had three film releases in 2022 – She first reprised Nidhima in the sequel Love Mocktail 2, opposite Krishna.[28] Vivek M V called her the "soul of the franchise" and noted, "Milana's effort is a fine mix of understanding the character and bringing new layers to it."[29] Sunayana Suresh stated, "Milana looks ethereal in the film and adds a lot of entertainment."[30] It was a box office success and emerged as the eighth highest grossing Kannada film of the year.[31] Following this, she played Renu, a detective's wife opposite Sudeepa in Vikrant Rona.[32] A Bollywood Hungama critic was appreciative of hercameo role.[33] It became one of the highest grossing Kannada film of all time.[34] She then portrayed Nikitha alongside Amrutha Iyengar in O.[35] A Sharadhaa stated, "Milana get to experiment with fresh characterisation and gives a strong performance." It was a box office average.[36]

Career progression (2023-present)

In 2023, Milana first portrayed Pallavi opposite Krishna in Mr. Bachelor.[37] Vinay Lokesh stated that she proves her mettle with a "decent screen presence".[38] She next portrayed a fashion designer in Love Birds opposite Krishna.[39] A critic from The New Indian Express stated that she gave a "natural and poignant performance".[40][41] In her last release of the year, Milana portrayed an alcoholic in Kousalya Supraja Rama, reuniting with Krishna.[42] The Hindu critic noted, "Milana's portrayal of a drunkard is a tad over the top, but she performs with superb restraint in serious portions."[43] Her performance earned her another nomination for Filmfare Best Actress – Kannada.[44] Mr. Bachelor and Love Birds failed at the box office but Kousalya Supraja Rama emerged a box office success and the eighth highest grossing film of the year.[45]

In her first release of 2024, Milana played a secretly married woman in For Regn opposite Pruthvi Ambaar.[46] Vivek M. V. noted, "Milana is natural in emotional sequences and the actors [Milana and Ambaar] do more for the film than what the film does for them."[47] Following this, she played a school teacher in Aaraam Arvind Swamy opposite Aniish.[48] Suhasini B Srihari of Deccan Herald was appreciative of her "credible performance".[49] Both films emerged as box office averages.[50]

Personal life

Milana Nagaraj met actor Krishna, on the sets of the 2013 film Nam Duniya Nam Style. They eventually started dating in 2015.[51] Milana married Krishna on 14 February 2021, in a private traditional ceremony on the outskirts of Bengaluru.[52][53] On 5 September 2024, she gave birth to their daughter Pari.[54][55]

In the media

Writing for Film Companion, film journalist Sonu Venugopal opined: "Milana Nagaraj has starred in many rom-coms in her career and has ushered in a new brand of such films in Kannada cinema. Milana would certainly be the perfect actor for a monicker in the rom-com genre, if there was."[56] Vivek M.V. of The Hindu noted, "Even in her weaker films, Milana stood out thanks to her charming presence and effortless portrayal of her characters."[57]

Milana was placed 17th in 2013 and 14th in 2020, in the Bangalore Times' Most Desirable Women list.[58][59] In 2023, News18 placed her 3rd in its "Top Kannada Actresses" list and noted, "Her on-screen charisma and stellar performance worked wonders in Kousalya Supraja Rama.[60] Milana is one of the most followed Kannada actress on Instagram.[61]

Filmography

Films

Key
† Denotes films that have not yet been released
  • All films are in Kannada unless otherwise noted.
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2013 Nam Duniya Nam Style Milana [62]
Brindavana Madhu
2015 Charlie Purvi
2017 Avarude Raavukal Meghna Malayalam film
Jani Aishwarya
2020 Love Mocktail Nidhima "Niddhi"
Matte Udbhava Spandana
2022 Love Mocktail 2 Nidhima "Nidhi"
Vikrant Rona Renu Rona Cameo appearance [63]
O Nikitha
2023 Mr. Bachelor Pallavi [64]
Love Birds Pooja [65]
Kousalya Supraja Rama Mutthulakshmi "Mutthu"
2024 For Regn Anvita "Anvi" [66]
Aaraam Arvind Swamy Geetha [67]
2026 Love Mocktail 3 † Nidhima "Nidhi" Post-production [68]
TBA Bella † TBA Filming [69]

Producer

Year Title Ref.
2020 Love Mocktail
2022 Love Mocktail 2 [70]

Accolades

Year Award Category Film Result Ref
2014 Filmfare Awards South Best Supporting Actress – Kannada Brindavana Nominated [71]
2021 Chandanavana Film Critics Academy Awards Best Film Love Mocktail Nominated [72]
Best Actress Nominated
South Indian International Movie Awards Best Film – Kannada Won [73]
Best Actress – Kannada Won
2022 Filmfare Awards South Best Actress – Kannada Nominated [74]
Best Actress Critics – Kannada Won
Chittara Star Awards Rising Star Won [75]
2023 South Indian International Movie Awards Best Film – Kannada Love Mocktail 2 Nominated [76]
2024 Chandanavana Film Critics Academy Awards Best Actress Kousalya Supraja Rama Nominated [77]
Filmfare Awards South Best Actress – Kannada Nominated [78]
Chittara Star Awards Best Actress Nominated [79]
2025 Karnataka State Film Awards Second Best Film Love Mocktail Won [80]
Chittara Star Awards Best Actress Aaraam Arvind Swamy Pending [81]

See also

References

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