Rajesh Krishnan
Rajesh was born in Bengaluru, India in a musical family; his mother is a Carnatic vocalist whom he credit as his first musical mentor.
Career Timeline
Rajesh began his television journey as a judge on Zee Kannada's Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, the Kannada adaptation of the national s
Rajesh began his television journey as a judge on Zee Kannada's Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, the Kannada adaptation of the national singing reality franchise. He joined the judging panel from its early seasons and has since become a recurring presence, bringing his extensive playback experience to mentor emerging talent. Over the years, Krishnan has shared the judges’ seat alongside musicians Vijay Prakash, Arjun Janya, and, in earlier seasons, Hamsalekha. He has been part of multiple seasons, including Season 13 (2017), Season 17 (2020–2022), and the Season 21 (2024–2025).
Rajesh began his television journey as a judge on Zee Kannada's Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, the Kannada adaptation of the national s
Rajesh began his television journey as a judge on Zee Kannada's Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, the Kannada adaptation of the national singing reality franchise. He joined the judging panel from its early seasons and has since become a recurring presence, bringing his extensive playback experience to mentor emerging talent. Over the years, Krishnan has shared the judges’ seat alongside musicians Vijay Prakash, Arjun Janya, and, in earlier seasons, Hamsalekha. He has been part of multiple seasons, including Season 13 (2017), Season 17 (2020–2022), and the Season 21 (2024–2025).
Later in 2008, Rajesh was roped in to play one of the lead characters in Yogaraj Bhat's multi-starrer Kannada film, Gaal
Later in 2008, Rajesh was roped in to play one of the lead characters in Yogaraj Bhat's multi-starrer Kannada film, Gaalipata.. He played the role Kitty, an engineer and one of the three main friends alongside Ganesh and Diganth. The film met with positive reviews from critics and also appreciation for all the lead actors. Rajesh was nominated at the Filmfare Awards South under Best Supporting Actor category. After Gaalipata, Rajesh took a break from acting and focussed on his singing career. However, upon insistence of his friend and fellow singer, L. N. Shastri, he took up the lead role offer in the 2015 musical film, Melody. The film met with mixed reviews and underperformed at the box-office.
Later in 2008, Rajesh was roped in to play one of the lead characters in Yogaraj Bhat's multi-starrer Kannada film, Gaal
Later in 2008, Rajesh was roped in to play one of the lead characters in Yogaraj Bhat's multi-starrer Kannada film, Gaalipata.. He played the role Kitty, an engineer and one of the three main friends alongside Ganesh and Diganth. The film met with positive reviews from critics and also appreciation for all the lead actors. Rajesh was nominated at the Filmfare Awards South under Best Supporting Actor category. After Gaalipata, Rajesh took a break from acting and focussed on his singing career. However, upon insistence of his friend and fellow singer, L. N. Shastri, he took up the lead role offer in the 2015 musical film, Melody. The film met with mixed reviews and underperformed at the box-office.
Rajesh made his first onscreen appearance with a Telugu film, Ori Nee Prema Bangaram Kaanu in 2003
Rajesh made his first onscreen appearance with a Telugu film, Ori Nee Prema Bangaram Kaanu in 2003. He played the lead character which was not well received by critics who criticized his acting skills.. This was followed by yet another failed appearance in the Kannada film, Santhosha in 2004.
Rajesh made his first onscreen appearance with a Telugu film, Ori Nee Prema Bangaram Kaanu in 2003
Rajesh made his first onscreen appearance with a Telugu film, Ori Nee Prema Bangaram Kaanu in 2003. He played the lead character which was not well received by critics who criticized his acting skills.. This was followed by yet another failed appearance in the Kannada film, Santhosha in 2004.
For his rendition in films such as Bannada Hejje (1999), Ekangi (2002) and Dumbee (2003), Rajesh won Karnataka State Fil
For his rendition in films such as Bannada Hejje (1999), Ekangi (2002) and Dumbee (2003), Rajesh won Karnataka State Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer.
For his rendition in films such as Bannada Hejje (1999), Ekangi (2002) and Dumbee (2003), Rajesh won Karnataka State Fil
For his rendition in films such as Bannada Hejje (1999), Ekangi (2002) and Dumbee (2003), Rajesh won Karnataka State Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer.
Rajesh expanded to Telugu cinema through Sandeep Chowta's musical Ninne Pelladatha in 1996
Rajesh expanded to Telugu cinema through Sandeep Chowta's musical Ninne Pelladatha in 1996. The song "Yeto Vellipoyindi Manasu" reached popularity immediately after release and earned him the Nandi Award for Best Male Playback Singer. Following this, he was offered many other Telugu songs in films including Raja (1999), Prema Katha (1999), Nee Kosam (1999), Nuvvu Vasthavani (2000), Kalisundam Raa (2000), Ninne Premistha (2001), Santosham (2002) and Lakshmi (2006). In Tamil, his song "Megamai Vandhu Pogiren" for the film Thullatha Manamum Thullum (1999) was received with wide appreciation.
Rajesh expanded to Telugu cinema through Sandeep Chowta's musical Ninne Pelladatha in 1996
Rajesh expanded to Telugu cinema through Sandeep Chowta's musical Ninne Pelladatha in 1996. The song "Yeto Vellipoyindi Manasu" reached popularity immediately after release and earned him the Nandi Award for Best Male Playback Singer. Following this, he was offered many other Telugu songs in films including Raja (1999), Prema Katha (1999), Nee Kosam (1999), Nuvvu Vasthavani (2000), Kalisundam Raa (2000), Ninne Premistha (2001), Santosham (2002) and Lakshmi (2006). In Tamil, his song "Megamai Vandhu Pogiren" for the film Thullatha Manamum Thullum (1999) was received with wide appreciation.
Rajesh was born in Bengaluru, India in a musical family; his mother is a Carnatic vocalist whom he credit as his first m
Rajesh was born in Bengaluru, India in a musical family; his mother is a Carnatic vocalist whom he credit as his first musical mentor. He studied at St. Joseph's Indian High School, representing the school at a children’s film festival at age 13, before taking up professional singing under composers including Hamsalekha. His first film song was recorded in 1991, when he was 17. His initial singing assignments were limited to track singing where an accomplished playback singer, mostly S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, would record the release version.
Rajesh was born in Bengaluru, India in a musical family; his mother is a Carnatic vocalist whom he credit as his first m
Rajesh was born in Bengaluru, India in a musical family; his mother is a Carnatic vocalist whom he credit as his first musical mentor. He studied at St. Joseph's Indian High School, representing the school at a children’s film festival at age 13, before taking up professional singing under composers including Hamsalekha. His first film song was recorded in 1991, when he was 17. His initial singing assignments were limited to track singing where an accomplished playback singer, mostly S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, would record the release version.
Rajesh began singing under the direction of composers Rajan-Nagendra and Hamsalekha in the late 1980s, where he recorded
Rajesh began singing under the direction of composers Rajan-Nagendra and Hamsalekha in the late 1980s, where he recorded tracks in his voice upon which other professional singers would cover with their voices. In 1991, Rajesh's voice was retained and released in the final soundtrack album of Gowri Ganesha. The song "Mathinalle Gellaballe", composed by Rajan-Nagendra was the first official release song. This was quickly followed by songs from the films, Hoovu Hannu (1993) and Bevu Bella (1993), both composed by Hamsalekha, which raised his popularity among Kannada audience.
Rajesh began singing under the direction of composers Rajan-Nagendra and Hamsalekha in the late 1980s, where he recorded
Rajesh began singing under the direction of composers Rajan-Nagendra and Hamsalekha in the late 1980s, where he recorded tracks in his voice upon which other professional singers would cover with their voices. In 1991, Rajesh's voice was retained and released in the final soundtrack album of Gowri Ganesha. The song "Mathinalle Gellaballe", composed by Rajan-Nagendra was the first official release song. This was quickly followed by songs from the films, Hoovu Hannu (1993) and Bevu Bella (1993), both composed by Hamsalekha, which raised his popularity among Kannada audience.
About Rajesh Krishnan
Rajesh was born in Bengaluru, India in a musical family; his mother is a Carnatic vocalist whom he credit as his first musical mentor. He studied at St. Joseph's Indian High School, representing the school at a children’s film festival at age 13, before taking up professional singing under composers including Hamsalekha. His first film song was recorded in 1991, when he was 17. His initial singing assignments were limited to track singing where an accomplished playback singer, mostly S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, would record the release version. Rajesh began singing under the direction of composers Rajan-Nagendra and Hamsalekha in the late 1980s, where he recorded tracks in his voice upon which other professional singers would cover with their voices.
Karnataka, India
Notable facts
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Karnataka State Film Awards
Rajesh Krishnan at IMDb
Karnataka State Film Award winners
Male actors in Kannada cinema
Indian male film actors
Kannada-language playback singers
Discography
No discography indexed yet for this artist.
Discover
Discography at a glance
1
Songs on Lyrks0
Albums1
SinglesFrequently asked questions
Rajesh was born in Bengaluru, India in a musical family; his mother is a Carnatic vocalist whom he credit as his first musical mentor.
Rajesh Krishnan is from Karnataka, India.
Lyrks has lyrics for 1 song by Rajesh Krishnan.