Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has today officially felicitated Gilli Nata (Malavalli Nataraj), the winner of Bigg Boss Kannada Season 12, in a heartwarming act that goes some way towards bridging the gap between reality television and state leaders. His meeting was held at the Chief Minister’s home office, “Krishna", where the leader declared the actor’s journey as an example for rural youth.
CM Siddaramaiah honored Gilli Nata at the end of the session by placing a customary sandalwood garland around his neck and wrapping him in a ceremonial shawl. The Chief Minister was seen warmly patting Gilli’s shoulder, praising his authenticity and the “son of the soil” persona that had captured the hearts of millions across the state.
A Victory for the "Common Man"
The Chief Minister’s acknowledgement is substantial - Gilli Nata’s journey is a tale of monumental struggle, and this is a big recognition. Born into a modest farming family in Matadapura, Mandya district, Gilli (Nataraj) began his career as set assistant and art department employee: literally creating the stages he would eventually master.
12ನೇ ಆವೃತ್ತಿಯ ಬಿಗ್ ಬಾಸ್ ವಿಜೇತ ಗಿಲ್ಲಿ ನಟರಾಜ್ ಅವರನ್ನು ಅಭಿನಂದಿಸಿ, ಮುಂದಿನ ಜೀವನ ಇನ್ನಷ್ಟು ಯಶಸ್ಸು, ಸಂತಸದಿಂದ ಕೂಡಿರಲಿ ಎಂದು ಶುಭ ಹಾರೈಸಿದೆ. pic.twitter.com/EiZAzqe6HH
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) January 22, 2026
"To meet the Chief Minister is a dream come true for a young boy who started as a set-worker. His words of encouragement mean more to me than the trophy itself," said Gilli Nata, who wept with emotion in the phone call.
Siddaramaiah expressed his happiness over a rural talent reaching such heights, stating that Gilli’s success is proof that perseverance and staying true to one's roots are the golden keys to success in any field.
The "Gilli Craze" Continues
After being voted to the floor on the historic January 18, 2026 win that reportedly topped a record number of votes, Gilli Nata has recently made waves and been in the process of a humbling tour of gratitude. Before meeting the CM, he sought blessings from:
- Dr. Shivarajkumar: The "Hat-Trick Hero" famously predicted Gilli's victory in the season
- Kiccha Sudeep: The host of the show who has served as a mentor for the actor.
What's Next for the winning contestant?
With his blessings from Chief Minister and a major surge in popularity (he has a fan base of 1.7 million on Instagram), Gilli Nata is now aiming for a promising career in Sandalwood. He’s scheduled to star in Darshan’s forthcoming film The Devil and now said to be going for a lead role in a rural drama created by a major production house.
CM Siddaramaiah wished him the best of luck with his career and encouraged him to keep representing the tradition and dialect of rural Karnataka in all future movies.
