Chethan Kumar

Chethan Kumar

Chetan Kumar (Kannada: ಚೇತನ್ ಕುಮಾರ) (born 24 February 1983), also known as Chetan Ahimsa, is a Kannada film (regional) actor, social worker , public intellectual and political activist. Chetan graduated from Yale University in South Asian Studies with an Emphasis on Comparative Theater (2005). A US citizen, Chetan came to India as a Fulbright Scholar in 2005–06 to fulfill his passion to serve his native land. Chetan made his on-screen debut in the 2007 cult classic film Aa Dinagalu and was awarded as the best debut actor in Udaya Film Awards for the film. His most recent success came in the 2013 hit Myna, for which his performance received strong critical acclaim. Before entering films, Chetan was a theater artist who studied in conjunction with the National School of Drama—Bangalore, appeared in a series of Kannada plays, worked with street-theater movements, and directed village dramas that emphasized women's empowerment and challenged dowry. Although Chetan was born and raised in Chicago, United States for 23 years, he is recognized for his fluency and oratory skills in Kannada and has championed Karnataka languages and the Kannada cause. Chetan has supported progressive youth and student organizations, women's collectives, farmer's groups, trade unions, and Dalit and Adivasi movements to fight for equality and justice. He has made notable speeches in dozens of districts across the state, which has also resulted in uproar from established parties and fundamentalist groups. Chetan's speeches are known to be revolutionary, socialist, anti-establishment and pro-Kannada.

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