Gilli Nata is the stage name of Malavalli Nataraj. He first gained notice through Comedy Khiladigalu Season 4.
His 18 January 2026 victory changed his career overnight. Before that, he worked in small jobs, short films, digital comedy and regional television.
Gilli Nata At a Glance
| Detail | Value |
| Real Name | Malavalli Nataraj |
| Age | 28 as of 7 October 2026 |
| Date of Birth | 21 June 1998 |
| Profession | Actor, comedian, content creator and Kannada television personality |
| Birthplace | Dadadapura village, Malavalli Taluk, Mandya district, Karnataka |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Known For | Bigg Boss Kannada Season 12 and Comedy Khiladigalu Season 4 |
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Who Is Gilli Nata in Kannada Entertainment?
Before television made him widely known, he made short films and comedy videos. He worked as an actor, director and scriptwriter. This gave him control over acting and story writing.
His public profile grew through Comedy Khiladigalu Season 4. It also shaped the comic image he later brought to reality television.
His career grew in several linked stages. It did not start with one big launch. His early short films helped him test writing and direction. Television later gave his regional comic voice a larger platform.
Gilli Nata Early Life, Parents and Education
He was born in Dadadapura village. The village is in Malavalli Taluk, Mandya district. His family has a farming background. His parents are named Kullaiah and Savitha.
He began his education in Mandya. He later completed a two-year Industrial Training Institute course. After that, he moved into entertainment work.
Moving to Bengaluru began a hard period in his career. He worked in hotels. He also took jobs on film sets and in art departments.
That period shaped his screen persona. His comedy often comes from daily work and rural life. It does not focus mainly on polished city life or celebrity culture.
His rise also shows the value of regional digital comedy. Performers can now build an audience with short videos. They can do this before getting a television break. His career reflects this change.
Gilli Nata Career Timeline and Television Rise
| Period | Career Milestone |
| Before 2022 | Worked as a set assistant and in art departments, held hotel jobs, and created short films and comedy content |
| 2022 | Finished as first runner-up on Comedy Khiladigalu Season 4 |
| After 2022 | Associated with Dance Karnataka Dance and Bharjari Bachelors |
| 2023 | His Comedy Khiladigalu Season 4 result received further profile coverage |
| 2024 | Appeared in Langoti Man |
| 2025 | Appeared in 1st Day 1st Show, Super Hit and The Devil |
| 18 January 2026 | Won Bigg Boss Kannada Season 12 |
| 17–25 June 2026 | Reports covered his move into the lead role in Palaar |
His first major television break came with Comedy Khiladigalu Season 4. He finished as the first runner-up. Even so, the result brought strong recognition and new chances.
After the comedy show, he appeared on Dance Karnataka Dance and Bharjari Bachelors. These shows helped him move beyond stand-up-style comedy. They also showed more of his range on television.
His television work also brought Best Entertainer recognition through Dance Karnataka Dance. This award matters in his career timeline. It came after his comedy-show break. It also praised his ability to hold attention beyond one sketch.
His film work grew alongside his television work. His listed credits include Langoti Man in 2024. In 2025, he appeared in 1st Day 1st Show, Super Hit and a small role in Darshan’s The Devil.
These credits show the range of his early film work. Before Palaar, he was not limited to television comedy. However, he was also not yet the lead actor in a major project.
His early years in Bengaluru were far from reality-show prizes. He said he lived on about ₹6,000 per month during that struggle. He held practical jobs while continuing to seek film work.
Bigg Boss Kannada 12 Victory and Awards
The grand finale aired on 18 January 2026. He won the trophy that day.
His prize included ₹50 lakh in cash and a Maruti Suzuki car. He also received a large public welcome after returning home from the finale.
Before this win, he received Best Entertainer recognition linked to his work on Dance Karnataka Dance. The recognition reflected the comic energy that first made him stand out on regional television.
His Comedy Khiladigalu result remains important. It came before his reality-show win. The first-runner-up finish gave him television visibility. Bigg Boss then turned that visibility into a wider public profile.
The two shows had different roles in his career. Comedy Khiladigalu established his performance style.
Gilli Nata Income and Public Career
His early hotel and film-department jobs also matter. They gave him practical experience before viewers knew him as an on-screen performer.
He did not enter the industry through one film debut. He built his career through short films, television shows and regional cinema. This gradual rise is a key part of his biography.
The confirmed ₹50 lakh Bigg Boss cash prize covers one award. His total wealth would also depend on film fees, television work, content income and other private financial details.
Gilli Nata Latest Movie: Palaar
Palaar is his latest reported film project. Chandramohan directs the film. KVN Productions presents it.
They described Nataraj as moving into a lead role. The reports also highlighted KVN Productions’ presentation of the film. This gave the project more importance than normal casting news.
The lead role gives his film career a new direction. Until then, viewers mainly knew him from comedy shows and reality television. They had not mainly seen him as the central actor in a feature film.
His listed film work includes Langoti Man, 1st Day 1st Show, Super Hit and The Devil. Palaar is the next major step in his screen career.
The available reports name Chandramohan as director. They name KVN Productions as presenter. However, they do not confirm a release date or give all later production details. Future official announcements should provide these details.
Why Gilli Nata Became Famous
His Mandya dialect is another key part of his appeal. He does not hide his regional speech. Instead, he uses it as a strength in sketches and television appearances.
Comedy Khiladigalu gave him his first major television recognition.
His story also shows a strong career change. He moved from hotel and art-department jobs to a lead role in Palaar. Television success connected these two stages of his career.
What Public Profiles Do Not Confirm
The available information also does not officially confirm his caste or religion. These details should not be guessed from his birthplace, dialect, family background or stage name.
This point matters because biography pages often repeat figures from weak sources. For Nataraj, the strongest details cover his name, birth information, education and career milestones. They also cover his Bigg Boss prize and Palaar announcement. Physical details and private financial information remain unconfirmed.
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Key Takeaways
- Comedy Khiladigalu Season 4 gave him his first major television breakthrough.
- Palaar marks his move from supporting screen work into a lead acting role.
FAQs About Gilli Nata
Who is Gilli Nata?
He became widely known after Comedy Khiladigalu Season 4. He finished as the first runner-up. He later appeared on Dance Karnataka Dance and Bharjari Bachelors.
What is Gilli Nata’s real name in English?
His real name is Malavalli Nataraj. Some profile listings also call him Nataraj and Nataraja.
What is Gilli Nata’s original name?
His original name is Malavalli Nataraj. This name appears.
How old is Gilli Nata?
He is 28 years old as of 7 October 2026. His date of birth is 21 June 1998. His age places his early television break and reality-show win within a fast-growing career.
What is Gilli Nata’s date of birth?
His date of birth is 21 June 1998. He was born in Dadadapura village. The village is in Malavalli Taluk, Mandya district, Karnataka. His Mandya background later became part of his comic identity.
Who is Gilli Nata’s father?
His father is named Kullaiah. His mother is named Savitha. The family is described as having a farming background. His early life was connected with Dadadapura village in Mandya district.
Who is Gilli Nata’s family?
He is described as the son of Kullaiah and Savitha. The available biography says his family has a farming background in Dadadapura village, Mandya district. The supplied sources do not reliably name other family members.
What did Gilli Nata do before becoming famous?
He worked as a set assistant. He made short films and comedy content as an actor, director and scriptwriter. During his early Bengaluru struggle, he said he lived on about ₹6,000 per month.
Who won Bigg Boss Kannada Season 12?
The grand finale aired on 18 January 2026. His victory came after he finished as the first runner-up on Comedy Khiladigalu Season 4.
How much money did Gilli Nata win on Bigg Boss Kannada 12?
He won ₹50 lakh and a Maruti Suzuki car. His victory also led to a large public welcome when he returned home.
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