Harish Kumar is an Indian actor and film producer known for his extensive work in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam cinema. He began as a child actor and transitioned to lead roles, appearing in films like Andhra Kesari, Daisy, Prem Qaidi, Coolie No. 1, Tirangaa, and many more.
Early Life and Career
Harish Kumar was born on August 1, 1975, in Hyderabad, into a Telugu-speaking family. Harish debuted as a child actor in the Telugu film Muddula Koduku (1979), at the age of four. But if you watch the movie, you will find out that he looks much older in the film. Known as “Master Hari,” he worked in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam films, a rare feat for a male child actor. In Hindi, his debut came with T. Rama Rao’s “Ek Hi Bhool (1979), “starring Jeetendra and Rekha.
In 1983 he acted in Vijayachander’s Andhra Kesari Vijayachander, Murali Mohan and Sridhar. The film was based on the life of the first Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Tanguturi Prakasam Panthulu. For the film, he got the Nandi Award for the best child actor. Some of his other notable films as a child actor include Farz Aur Kanoon (1982), Jeevan Dhaara (1982), Andha Kanoon (1982), Prem Tapasya (1983), Haqeeqat (1985), and Sansar (1987).
Harish as The Lead
His first lead role came in the Malayalam coming-of-age drama Daisy (1988), directed by Pratap Pothen. The film also stars Sonia, Lakshami, Kamal Hassan and M. G. Soman. The film was a teen romance and tells a story of a troubled boy who finds solace in her schoolmate Daisy, only to find out that she has a terminal illness. His natural performance earned critical praise, and the film’s sensitive storytelling made it a cult classic in Malayalam cinema.
In Tamil, T. Rajendar introduced him as a lead in Pookkal Vidum Thoothu (1989). His Telugu breakthrough was Prema Khaidi (1990), produced by D. Ramanaidu, with Malashree as the female lead. He also acted in Sthreekuvendi Sthree (Malayalam, 1990), Vasyam (Malayalam, 1991), and Rowdy Inspector (Telugu, 1992).
The film’s success led to its Hindi remake, Prem Qaidi (1991), marking his Hindi film debut opposite Karisma Kapoor. The film was moderately successful. Although the reviews were scathing. I remember a newspaper review that stated that “the heroine of the film looks like a young boy (Karishma), and the hero (Harish) looks like Sridevi with a moustache.”
Other Work
After Prem Qaidi, he acted in a number of films like Praana Daata (Telugu, 1993), Aadmi (1993), Tirangaa (1993), Jawab (1994), Kranti Kshetra (1994), Coolie No. 1 (1995), Gaddar (1995), Oho Naa Pellanta (Telugu, 1996), Gaddaar (1997), Aunty No. 1 (1997), Daddy Daddy (Telugu, 1998), Chhota Chetan (1998), and many more. Harish’s lead role in Jandhyala’s comedy Oho Naa Pellanta (1996, Telugu) earned him a Nandi Special Jury Award. His comedic timing was widely appreciated.
Despite acting in a number of films, Harish was not as successful as a lead as he was as a child actor. Harish suffered a spinal injury as a child, which worsened into a slipped disc, causing severe pain by the 2000s. This also limited his ability to work, contributing to his career decline.
After the 2000s, he has acted in only a handful of films, like Inteqam (2001), Jawani Diwani: A Youthful Joyride (2006), Naughty @ 40 (2011), Chaar Din Ki Chandni (2012), and Aa Gaya Hero (2017). In 2003 he produced Kaash… Hamara Dil Pagal Na Hota (2003), which failed to revive his career. More recently he acted in the EpicOn series Griha Laxmi with Hina Khan, Chunkey Pandey and Dibyendu Bhattacharya.
Personal Life
Harish Kumar married Sangeeta Chugh in 1995. They live in Mumbai with their two sons, Sagar Rao, a legal associate and criminal advocate, and Shivam, a young student. Their daughter is pursuing a career in singing.
Harish Kumar on IMDB
