Yash

**Naveen Kumar Gowda** (born 8 January 1986), known mononymously by his screen name **Yash**, is an Indian actor who primarily works in Kannada films. Widely referred to in the media as the "Rocking Star," he is one of the highest-paid and most bankable actors in the Kannada film industry.

Born in Bhuvanahalli, a village in the Hassan district of Karnataka, to a father who worked as a KSRTC and BMTC bus driver, Yash spent his childhood in Mysore. He completed his pre-university education at Mahajana Education Society before pursuing a Bachelor of Arts at K.L.E. College in Bangalore. Having an intense passion for acting, he joined the renowned Benaka drama troupe, which was formed by dramatist B. V. Karanth. Starting out as a backstage worker, he eventually progressed to stage acting, notably portraying Balarama in a 2004 play. Prior to entering cinema, he established himself on television with appearances in serials like *Uttarayana* and *Nanda Gokula*.