Thereafter, Bigg Boss Kannada Season 12: the era of Gilli Nata, an Indian artist hailing from the rural settings of Malavalli, Mandya. Although he was familiar to viewers from Comedy Khiladigalu Season 4 and Dance Karnataka Dance, his success after winning the reality show was unparalleled.
A Royal Reception and a Fan Frenzy
Wherever Gilli Nata moves today, he is met with thousands of boisterous fans. From Mandya to Bengaluru, the excitement is so high that the organizers have occasionally had to command police protection to keep the actor safe. During recent public gatherings, supporters have been queuing up for hours just to view or snap a selfie with the star who won the season by a record margin.
Gilli’s popularity has been a huge joy for him, who thanks Bigg Boss. In several interviews, he explained that while former series gave him a foot in the door, Bigg Boss has put him in Kannadigas' hearts forever.
"Am I a Thief?": The Viral Fun Video
Gilli Nata's new video has gone viral on social media, with his irreverent, yet high-pressure scenes set in a big public square, highlighting his typical humor in tough circumstances. As police broke through an aggressive mob and police officers led him in a packed crowd to avoid a mob, the scene inadvertently looked like a dramatic arrest to passersby who didn't know who he was.
Watching the stern-faced police officers usher him away, Gilli felt compelled to crack a joke. He apparently turned to the officers and asked, "Sir, am I a thief? Why are you taking me like this?" The clever remark broke the tension, and both the police officers and the staffers inside erupted in laughter.
Why Karnataka Loves Gilli Nata
The secret behind Gilli’s success though is in his relatability. Born as Malavalli Nataraj, he started out in the film field as a set assistant and art department worker. His rise to stardom as an actor and reality show winner is viewed as an inspiration for rural youth.
Authenticity: Mandya Kannada is very much an indigenous dialect and it resonates on the grassroots.
Humor: Even following a meteoric rise to stardom, his aptitude to laugh at himself, or crack "nage chataki", also remains unchanged.
Gratitude: Gilli consistently speaks about his origins and frequently mentions his family's farming background.
As he marches around the state to victory this week, it’s clear Gilli Nata isn’t simply a show winner in the reality game, but a cultural sensation whose success has bridged the gap between rural authenticity and mainstream stardom.
