Sushma K. Rao

Sushma Krishnamurthy Rao (born 1 July 1987) is an Indian actress, dancer and television host. As an actress, she is one of the popular actress in Kannada television. After having made her debut in S. Narayan's Bhageerathi, she became recognized for her role as Bhavana in soap opera Guptagamini. An accomplished bharatanatyam dancer, she is recipient of the 1997 Aryabhata Award for Dance.

Biography Rao was born and raised in Koppa, a town in Chikmagalur district of India's Karnataka State. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science from KLE College and also holds a bachelor's degree in Hindi language that she obtained from the University of Madras. A trained Bharatanatyam dancer, Rao performed at events in New Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur and Thiruvananthapuram and in the Hampi Utsav. She is a recipient of Karnataka State and Central scholarships (NCERT) in dance.

Rao began her television career on being urged to try acting by actor Vijay Kashi. During this time, she was learning the Kuchipudi under Vyjayanthi Kashi. Rao made her television debut with S. Narayan's Bhageerathi in which she played Veena, the sister of Hema Prabhath's character. She then appeared in Swathi Muttu as Pallavi, in Bidige Chandrama as Shashikala, before starring in Yaava Janmada Maitri as Ananya in one of three roles, in Guptagamini as Bhavana, and in Sose Thanda Sowbhagya as Keerthi.

Television Year Title Channel Role Notes Bhageerathi Veena Swathi Muttu Pallavi Bidige Chandrama Shashikala Yaava Janmada Maitri Ananya Triple role 2005 Guptagamini Bhavana Karnataka Television Association Award for Best Actress 2012 Sose Thanda Sowbhagya Zee Kannada Keerthi Zee Kutumba Award for Best Magalu Zee Kannada Award for Best Actress 2014 Tarle Nan Maklu Star Suvarna Host 2020 Genes Zee Kannada Host 2021 Mane Mane Mahalakshmi Zee Kannada Host 2022–2026 Bhagyalakshmi Colors Kannada Bhagya Anubandha Awards (2023) For Best Mane Mechida Sose Anubandha Awarda (2024) for Best Actress