If you’re into regional TV or reality shows, you probably watched the Bigg Boss Kannada Season 13 finale. My cousin and I were on the edge of our seats during the final scenes, which we rooted for a certain person. As host Sudeep announced the winner, it felt like a huge victory for all of us who supported pure talent.
Gilli Nata, who is very talented in comedy and performance, took home the award, which in turn solidified his place as a major figure in TV. His story is that of great success, which we see that through hard work and truth, you may grow from a small town to win over the hearts of millions.
Early Life and Family Roots
Before he became a familiar name to many, Gilli Nata was born as Malavalli Nataraj on April 5, 1996. He is from a small village named Matadapura, which is a part of Malavalli taluk in Mandya district of Karnataka.
Nata comes from a very humble background. His papa was a hard-working sheep herder who supported the family, and his mama took care of their small home. In rural Mandya, where they lived, young Nata was very much into cinema. His father, at one point, playfully said the little Nataraj used to stay up all night watching movies, which in turn kept the whole family awake! That great love for storytelling and entertainment, which he had as a young boy, clearly set the stage for his bright future.
Educational Journey
Nata finished up with his school years in his home state of Karnataka and then went on to a Technical Training program at a local Industrial Training Institute. As he was into that practical and skill-based education, what he really wanted was to be in films. Very much a dreamer, he aspired to become a film director. But life gives you no guarantees. Also against the backdrop of financial issues and lack of, which put him in touch with the industry, Nata changed paths to that of performance and comedy, a turn that his fans are very grateful for.
The Stepping Stones of His Career
Nata went to Bengaluru with large dreams and no money. He didn’t enter the limelight right away; instead, he did the hard work as a set assistant and in many art departments. That behind-the-scenes work taught him how the entertainment business runs.
By 2021, he put his incisive humour into the digital space, which saw the release of his YouTube short series PO2. He found what worked for him in terms of material, which he used to joke about everyday issues like those of student life and social media addiction.
In 2022, he hit it big on the stage of Comedy Khiladigalu, which was in its 4th season. He had great stage presence, which took him to the runner-up spot and also home with the “Best Entertainer Award” from Zee Kannada. Off the back of this success, he became a regular in popular reality shows like Dance Karnataka Dance and Bharjari Bachelors.
Conquering Bigg Boss Kannada Season 12
Entering the Bigg Boss world is a test that pushes your patience and character to the limit. In Season 12, which we are talking about, Nata did not deviate from his roots at all. He spoke in the natural Mandya dialect, shunned pretence, and played the game with amazing emotional maturity. His unpretentious, village-style approach connected with the common man in a huge way. Standing out in a field of strong competitors, Nata came out as the winner, which also made him a large-scale cultural icon.
Transition to Mainstream Cinema
After his great run on TV, Nata smoothly transitioned into the Kannada film industry. Among those that played out to great success were films like Salt Pepper, and also recently, he has had a great reception for his work in The Devil and Chowkidar.
Net Worth and Lifestyle in 2026
In the television, film, and live events space, Nata has had a very successful career, which has seen his financial profile transform. Though his exact figures are kept private, primary among his revenue is from the Bigg Boss win, which was historic for him, movie signing fees, brand endorsements to his 1.7 million plus Instagram base, and large-scale live performances. Although very successful financially, Nata is the same down-to-earth young man who left Mandya to pursue what was a beautiful dream.
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