Gilli Nata is an Indian Kannada actor, comedian, and entertainer known for his rustic humour and relatable performances. He is best recognized for winning the reality show Bigg Boss Kannada Season 12 and becoming one of the most talked-about Kannada TV personalities in 2026.
He was born on 5 April 1996 in Matadapura village, Malavalli, Mandya district, Karnataka, and he is 29 years old (as of 2025).
He is also known for being a former contestant of Comedy Khiladigalu Season 4, and for appearing in shows like Dance Karnataka Dance and Bharjari Bachelors.
As of 2026, he is actively involved in acting projects, entertainment shows, social media content, and public appearances, following his Bigg Boss title win.
Who is Gilli Nata?
Gilli Nata is a Kannada actor and comedian who rose to massive fame after winning Bigg Boss Kannada Season 12. He is admired for his natural comedy, village-style expressions, and his ability to entertain audiences without looking artificial.
His popularity is mainly based on one simple reason: people find him real. He speaks in a way that feels relatable, he carries rural Karnataka’s identity proudly, and he performs with confidence even in high-pressure situations. This combination made him a fan favourite not only in comedy shows but also inside the Bigg Boss house.
Before Bigg Boss, he was already known among Zee Kannada viewers because of his journey in comedy programs. But after becoming the winner, his name became popular across Karnataka, and he started getting national attention through online searches and social media.
Gilli Nata Biography
| Field | Details |
| Full Name | Malavalli Nataraj |
| Nick Name | Nataraj |
| Popular Name | Gilli Nata |
| Date of Birth | 5 April 1996 |
| Age | 29 years (as of 2025) |
| Birthplace | Matadapura village, Malavalli, Mandya, Karnataka |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Profession | Actor, Comedian |
| Known For | Winner of Bigg Boss Kannada Season 12 |
| Education | Industrial Training Institute (ITI) |
| Marital Status | Unmarried |
| Relationship | Not publicly disclosed |
| Height | Not clearly listed in available sources |
| Role / Position | Entertainer / Performer |
| Active Years | 2021–Present (public content visibility) |
| Current Residence | Bengaluru, Karnataka |
Gilli Nata Early Life
Gilli Nata was born as Malavalli Nataraj on 5 April 1996 in the village of Matadapura, located in Malavalli, Mandya district, Karnataka.
His early life was deeply connected with rural Karnataka’s simple lifestyle. He grew up in a community where people value hard work, honesty, and traditional culture. This village background later became a major reason why audiences connected with him so strongly, because he represents the voice and style of rural Karnataka.
According to available information, he comes from a very humble family background. His father is described as a sheep herder, and his mother is a homemaker.
This background is important because it shows the real struggle behind his success.
In his childhood, Gilli Nata had a strong interest in films and entertainment. His father later shared that Nataraj used to watch movies all night, and they used to argue because the family could not sleep. That same passion eventually became the foundation of his future career.
Gilli Nata Education
Gilli Nata completed his local education and later studied at an Industrial Training Institute (ITI).
This is an important detail because ITI is a practical technical course, usually chosen by students who want skill-based education.
During this stage, he had dreams of building a career in films. Filmibeat mentions that he initially wanted to become a director, but financial constraints and limited opportunities forced him to choose another route in entertainment.
Instead of giving up, he decided to enter the industry through performance and comedy, which later proved to be the best decision of his life.
Gilli Nata Family
| Family Member | Details |
| Father | Sheep herder (name not publicly disclosed) |
| Mother | Homemaker (name not publicly disclosed) |
| Siblings | Not publicly disclosed |
| Spouse / Partner | Unmarried |
| Children | None |
Gilli Nata’s family is one of the most emotional parts of his story because his success is seen as a proud moment for rural families. Even though he does not reveal many private details, his parents have been mentioned in trusted sources, and their simple background makes his journey more inspiring.
Gilli Nata Career
Gilli Nata’s career is a mix of real-life storytelling, village-based humour, and consistent performance. Unlike actors who get instant success, he built his career step by step.
Early Career
After completing ITI, he moved to Bengaluru to follow his entertainment dream.
Moving from Mandya to Bengaluru was a major shift because city life is faster, more competitive, and expensive. Many village boys struggle at this stage, but Gilli Nata continued with confidence.
StarsUnfolded mentions that after moving to Bengaluru, he worked as a set assistant and in art departments.
This means he did not start as a celebrity. He started from behind-the-scenes work, learned how the industry works, and slowly developed his skills.
Learning Scriptwriting and Comedy
During his early years, he learned:
- filmmaking basics
- scriptwriting
- making short films
- creating comedy skits
He started making content that was based on real life.
He used humour to talk about:
- family discussions
- student struggles
- social media addiction
- online classes
- new social trends
This is why his comedy feels natural. It is not forced entertainment—it is based on real situations.
Debut in Digital / Short Series
According to StarsUnfolded, his debut short series was “PO2” on YouTube (2021).
This shows that his rise was also connected with digital platforms. Many comedians today become famous through YouTube and short-form videos, and Gilli Nata is one of them.
Comedy Khiladigalu Season 4
A big breakthrough in his career came in 2022 when he took part in Comedy Khiladigalu Season 4.
This show gave him major visibility.
There is a small difference between sources: Filmibeat mentions he gained attention as first runner-up, while StarsUnfolded states he finished as second runner-up.
But the main point remains true: Comedy Khiladigalu gave him strong recognition as a comic performer.
TV Shows and Wider Recognition
After Comedy Khiladigalu, he got more opportunities and appeared in shows like:
- Dance Karnataka Dance
- Bharjari Bachelors
These shows helped him gain a wider audience beyond comedy fans, and he started becoming a familiar face in Kannada television.
Award and Recognition
StarsUnfolded reports that he received the Best Entertainer Award from Zee Kannada.
This award was important because it confirmed his value and performance ability in the industry.
Film Career and Acting Roles
Gilli Nata also started working in films. Filmibeat lists his movies, including:
- The Devil (Release date mentioned as 11 Dec 2025)
- Chowkidar (Release date mentioned as 30 Jan 2026)
StarsUnfolded also mentions he appeared in The Devil and Salt & Pepper in 2025.
Filmibeat adds that his entry into cinema with The Devil showed him in a new avatar and impressed fans.
These film appearances show that he is trying to expand his career beyond comedy into acting and mainstream cinema.
Bigg Boss Kannada Season 12 Winner
The biggest and most recent achievement of Gilli Nata’s career is that he became the winner of Bigg Boss Kannada Season 12.
Winning Bigg Boss is not only about entertainment—it is about:
- personality
- patience
- emotional control
- smart decision-making
- public support
Gilli Nata won the season because he stayed consistent and connected deeply with viewers. Many fans supported him because he represented village culture and spoke in a very real way.
After the finale, he became a trending celebrity, and his name started appearing in news headlines, social media discussions, and search results.
This win is now considered the strongest turning point of his career, because it opened doors for:
- bigger acting projects
- more brand promotions
- more stage shows
- stronger public recognition
Latest News & Achievements (2025–2026)
From 2024 onwards, the biggest achievement of Gilli Nata’s career was his growing popularity on TV and digital platforms and his journey towards Bigg Boss.
He gained more attention through:
- consistent TV presence
- viral rural humour content
- reality show appearances
- film opportunities
By the time he entered Bigg Boss, he already had a strong fan base ready to support him.
Gilli Nata Personal Life
Gilli Nata’s personal life remains private, but StarsUnfolded clearly states that he is unmarried.
He is known for his grounded personality and village-style simplicity. Many fans describe him as someone who stayed original even after becoming famous.
His food habit is mentioned as non-vegetarian.
His lifestyle looks like the lifestyle of a hardworking entertainer:
- travelling for shoots
- regular stage shows
- filming short comedy content
- preparing for bigger acting roles
Controversy
There are no major public controversies confirmed about Gilli Nata. His reputation is generally clean and positive.
In reality shows like Bigg Boss, fights and arguments are normal, but those are mostly part of the show’s format. Outside the show, he is seen as a friendly entertainer rather than a controversial celebrity.
Gilli Nata Social Media
| Platform | Handle | Followers | Content Type |
| @official_gilli_nata | 1.7M+ | Reels, comedy clips | |
| YouTube | Available | Not confirmed | Short series & comedy videos |
Note: Followers change daily, so it’s better to update them at the time of publishing.
Gilli Nata Net Worth
| Income Source | Details |
| Primary Income | Comedy shows and acting |
| Reality TV | Bigg Boss participation and winning |
| Movies | Acting roles (The Devil, Chowkidar) |
| Social Media | Promotions and brand deals |
| Live Events | Stage shows and public appearances |
Estimated Net Worth: Not clearly listed in these sources, so it should be kept as an estimate only.
Gilli Nata Physical Appearance
| Feature | Details |
| Height | Not clearly listed in sources |
| Weight | Not publicly disclosed |
| Eye Color | Black |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Body Type | Average |
Why is Gilli Nata Trending Right Now?
Gilli Nata is trending because he became the winner of Bigg Boss Kannada Season 12, which brought him massive popularity across Karnataka.
His win became a big topic because he entered the show with a rural identity and quickly became a mass favourite due to his natural humour, fearless attitude, and smart gameplay.
After his victory, fans started searching about his real name, age, birthplace, education, and personal details, which made him trend on Google and social platforms.
Last Updated: January 2026
Interesting Facts about Gilli Nata
- Gilli Nata’s birth name is Malavalli Nataraj.
- He was born on 5 April 1996 in Mandya district.
- He studied ITI before entering entertainment.
- He moved to Bengaluru to follow his dreams.
- He worked as a set assistant and in art departments.
- His debut short series was PO2 on YouTube in 2021.
- He gained fame through Comedy Khiladigalu Season 4.
- He appeared in Dance Karnataka Dance and Bharjari Bachelors.
- He won the Best Entertainer Award from Zee Kannada.
- He acted in Kannada films like The Devil and Chowkidar.
FAQs about Gilli Nata
Q1. Who is Gilli Nata?
Gilli Nata is a Kannada actor and comedian, best known for winning Bigg Boss Kannada Season 12.
Q2. What is Gilli Nata’s real name?
His real name is Malavalli Nataraj.
Q3. What is Gilli Nata’s age?
He is 29 years old as of 2025.
Q4. When is Gilli Nata’s birthday?
His date of birth is 5 April 1996.
Q5. Where is Gilli Nata from?
He is from Matadapura village, Malavalli, Mandya, Karnataka.
Q6. Is Gilli Nata married?
No, he is unmarried.
Q7. What is Gilli Nata’s profession?
He is an actor and comedian.
Q8. What is Gilli Nata famous for?
He is famous for his comedy and for winning Bigg Boss Kannada 12.
Q9. What is Gilli Nata’s education?
He completed ITI (Industrial Training Institute).
Q10. When did Gilli Nata start his career?
His early digital visibility started around 2021 with YouTube work.
Q11. What was Gilli Nata’s debut series?
PO2 (YouTube, 2021).
Q12. Which reality shows did Gilli Nata participate in?
Comedy Khiladigalu Season 4 and Bigg Boss Kannada Season 12.
Q13. Which shows has Gilli Nata appeared in?
He appeared in Dance Karnataka Dance and Bharjari Bachelors.
Q14. Which movies has Gilli Nata acted in?
He acted in The Devil and Chowkidar.
Q15. Why is Gilli Nata trending right now?
He is trending because he won Bigg Boss Kannada Season 12 and became a popular Kannada celebrity.
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