Nishan – Popular south Indian film actor who marked his screen debut playing lead role in Shyamaprasad’s Ritu

Nishan is a south Indian film actor who has also appeared in Bollywood and Bengali movies. A graduate from the prestigious FTII Pune, he is a polyglot with command over 6 languages. His debut flick – Cycle Kick (a Hindi movie produced by Subhash Ghai) had a delayed release in 2011, and he marked his screen debut alongside two more debutants Asif Ali and Reema Kallingal in the highly acclaimed Malayalam flick, Ritu (2009) directed by Shyamaprasad. He shared screen space with Asif Ali for his second hit, Sibi Malayil’s Apoorvaragam, released the following year, and from there on received offers from multiple language films. He is one among those rare Kannadigans who gained a foot in Malayalam film industry.

Nishan’s full name is Nishan KP Nanaiah or Kallichanda Prasad Nishan Nanaiah. He was born in Coorg, Karnataka and brought up in Kolkata. His college days were spent in Kolkata, where he was a professional tennis player. After completing graduation in Mass communication from St. Xavier’s College Kolkata, he completed his post-graduation in acting from FTII, Pune. After his studies, he moved to Mumbai to pursue a career in films. He attended numerous auditions before Subhash Ghai gave him the first break to films. Later he worked in different film industries, and succeeded most in Malayalam cinema.

He made his screen debut with Malayalam films. He played male lead in Malayalam movie, Ritu, followed by Apoorvaragam, and both films made a mark at box office, and helped him to earn early recognition. Apart from a few memorable roles, he failed to make a mark in Malayalam film industry. Ee Adutha Kalathu, Ithu Nammude Katha, Gramam, Geethaanjali, Climax, Annum Innum Ennum, Manorama, Note out and 10:30 am Local Call are some of his noted works in Malayalam cinema.

Soch Lo was his first release in Bollywood in a supporting role. David (bi-lingual), Badlapur Boys and Nastik are his other works in Bollywood. He played lead role in Bollywood sports drama, Badlapur Boys. His debut Telugu film, Manorama released in 2010 also earned him appreciation. In 2019, he became a part of Bengali web series, Filter Coffee Liquor Cha.

Nishan – Some interesting and less-known facts

1. During his college days at Kolkata, he has represented his college and Kolkata University for several national level and university level tennis championships.

2. He was launched to Bollywood by Subhash Ghai, through the movie, Cycle Kick. When the movie got a delayed released in 2011, he already earned fame in Mollywood mostly playing lead roles.

3. His father is a custom’s officer who worked in Kolkata.

4. He played a negative role of a Hindi worker in the highly acclaimed Ee Adutha Kalathu, and the role was well appreciated. Accidental death of his character in the movie formed the crux of the story.

5. ‘Etho Sayahna Swapnangalil’ from 10:30 am Local Call and ‘Venal Kaattil’ from Rithu are popular movie songs filmed on him.

6. While at FTII, he got opportunity to learn from Naseeruddin Shah and Ravi Baswani, prominent Bollywood actors.