Gopalkrishna Deshpande

Gopalkrishna Deshpande (born 7 October 1983/1984) is an Indian actor known for his work in Kannada cinema. After a stint in theatre with Ninasam and in television, he made his film debut in 2017. He is a noted character actor.

Deshpande gained recognition for his role in Raj B. Shetty's gangster film Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana (2021), after which he had many notable supporting roles. The include Sapta Saagaradaache Ello: Side B (2023), Shakhahaari (2024), Blink (2024) and Second Case of Seetharam (2026). His performance in Blink won him the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor – Kannada.

Early life Gopalkrishna Deshpande was born on 7 October 1983 or 1984. He hails from the town of Hunagunda in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka. His father, Dhruvraj Deshpande, was an alumnus and acting teacher of the theatre troupe Ninasam. He had also founded his own troupe, Durvaranga.

Career With Ninasam's wandering troupe, Ninasam Tirugaata, Deshpande travelled while performing in plays for three years. He recalled that he was "bitten by the acting bug, when I saw the audience's reaction to our work on stage." In the rural drama Kothalavadi (2025), he played a junk-shop owner who goes on to become a vile politician. A. Sharadhaa of the New Indian Express wrote, "The real show-stealer is Gopal Krishna Deshpande. As Gujari Babu, he is all charm and chill menace. He doesn't raise his voice or brandish weapons; instead, he manipulates with pauses and smiles, weaponising belief in the guise of empowerment. It's a performance rooted in restraint, and it anchors much of the film's tension."

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 2011 Lifeu Ishtene Barber 2017 Saheba 2018 Thayige Thakka Maga Nathicharami Ravi Sapta Saagaradaache Ello: Side A Prisoner Bhairathi Ranagal 2025 Royal Bandook Kothalavadi Ramesh "Gujari" Babu Graamaayana Sadananda Swamy

Television Putta Gowri Maduve