Happy Birthday, Yash: Five films of the Rocking Star that showcase the performer in him

Yash is quite easily one of the biggest actors in the business today. Following the resounding success of KGF 2, the Rocky Bhai has grown leaps and bounds in prominence across the globe, with everyone ardently looking forward to an update concerning his next film (Yash 19). However, putting Yash's future projects aside, let's take a quick at some of his most important past films of his that paved the way for super-stardom. These films, in particular, have brought out the performer in Yash and allowed him to establish himself as the total package - one who boasts incredible star power and also the much-required acting goods. Here we go:

Kirataka

Having made inroads into the Kannada Film Industry through his stint in television, Yash's early ventures weren't as successful as he would have liked. While Moggina Manasu, the 2008 film also starring his future wife Radhika Pandit, fetched him his first Filmfare award (in the Best Supporting Actor category), it was the 2011 film Kirataka that helped him emerge as a talented actor. The Pradeep Raj film (a remake of the Tamil film Kalavani) allowed Yash to tap into his roots and present a highly nuanced and rustic side of his. Kirataka (which also stars Oviya), a bona fide commercial success, was the 3000th Kannada film to be released.

Drama

The decade of the 2010s proved to be a game-changer for Yash as he continued gaining traction as a leading man. Following the success of films like Lucky and Jaanu, Yash got the opportunity to work with Yogaraj Bhat who, at the time, was easily the most sought-after filmmaker in the Kannada Film Industry. Just as in Kirataka, the audience spotted and appreciated a more nuanced and unembellished version of the future Rocking Star in Drama and his performance, which great on-screen chemistry with co-stars Sathish Ninasam and Radhika Pandit, further enunciated his potential as major league actor. 

Googly

If the previous two titles showcased a simpler and more rustic side of Yash, Pawan Wadeyar's Googly brought out the stylish side of his personality to a great effect. Sporting a whole new look, Yash's boy-next-door portrayal in Googly, along with the on-screen chemistry with Kriti Kharbanda, immensely charmed the audience who thronged the cinema halls and made it a massive commercial success. Googly can be seen as a breakthrough film in Yash's career as it catapulted him into superstardom: in fact, Prashanth Neel, the director of the KGF films, shares that he spotted his Rocky Bhai in Yash in the Googly performance!

Gajakesari

Following the success of Googly, Yash evidently decides on upping the ante and firmly establish himself as the reigning superstar of the Kannada Film Industry. S. Krishna's 2016 film Gajakesari saw the Rocking Star essay his first dual role and his effortless portrayal of two starkly contrasting characters impressed both audiences and critics. Gajakesari was a huge commercial success and with Yash now being reckoned as a global superstar, the film was screened in many international locations.

Mr. and Mrs. Ramachari

With four back-to-back box office hits to his name, Yash was in no mood to stop and the pinnacle of his pre-KGF phase came about in the form of Mr. and Mrs. Ramachari. The Santhosh Ananddram directorial brought the superhit pair of Yash and Radhika Pandit back on screen and fans couldn't get enough of their charming chemistry. Yash, as the short-tempered, everyday joe, was particularly impressive and as a result, the film went on to be the highest-grossing Kannada film of 2014, completing a 200-day theatrical run in these pursuits.