Who Is Bigg Boss Kannada 12 Winner Gilli Nata? All About Actor-Comedian's Inspiring Journey To Fame

Bigg

Boss Kannada 12 winner Gilli Nata’s life story feels straight out of a film - rooted in hardship, driven by dreams, and crowned with well-earned success. From a small farming village in Karnataka to lifting the Bigg Boss trophy amid thunderous applause, Gilli’s journey is one of grit, resilience, and unshakable belief. His humour, born from everyday life and spoken in his unmistakable Mandya Kannada, didn’t just make people laugh, it made them feel seen. Loved for his authenticity and emotional honesty, Gilli Nata has earned an army of fans through a show that celebrates personalities.

Who is Bigg Boss Kannada 12 winner Gilli Nata?

Gilli Nata, born as Malavalli Nataraj on April 5, 1996, hails from Matadapura in Malavalli taluk of Mandya district, Karnataka. Raised in a humble farming family, his early life was shaped by simplicity, struggle, and strong values. He completed his schooling locally and later pursued a two-year ITI course. Like many youngsters from rural India, Gilli carried big dreams in his heart - he wanted to become a film director. But limited finances and lack of opportunities meant that the road ahead would be far from easy.Determined to chase his passion, Nataraj moved to Bengaluru, where he began working behind the scenes as a set assistant and in art departments. These years were filled with quiet learning and relentless effort. He observed cinema closely, experimented with scriptwriting, short films, and comedy skits, and slowly discovered his true strength, which was storytelling through humour.

What truly set Gilli apart was his ability to turn ordinary life into extraordinary comedy. Drawing inspiration from family conversations, student struggles, online classes, social media addiction, and changing social behaviour, his content struck an emotional chord. His natural use of the Mandya Kannada dialect became his identity, helping him build an instant connection with audiences across Karnataka.

Gilli Nata's work as an entertainer

His big breakthrough came with Comedy Kiladigalu Season 4, where he emerged as the first runner-up. The show introduced him as a natural-born performer with impeccable timing and an infectious stage presence. Opportunities followed, including Dance Karnataka Dance, where he proved his versatility as an entertainer. Winning the Best Entertainer Award became a deeply emotional milestone, symbolising his journey from a backstage worker to a celebrated artist.

Gilli also stepped into films with roles in Langoti Man (2024), Super Hit, 1st Day 1st Show (2025), and a pivotal appearance in Darshan’s Devil. However, his defining moment came with Bigg Boss Kannada 12. Winning hearts with his humour, resilience, and grounded nature, Gilli has now emerged victorious with a crores of votes by his dedicated fan army. He took home the trophy, a Rs 50 lakh cash prize, a new SUV, and an additional Rs 10 lakh gifted personally by host Kiccha Sudeep.From muddy fields in Mandya to reality TV glory, Gilli Nata’s journey is a celebration of perseverance, staying true to one’s roots, and believing that dreams are always worth chasing.