Santhosh

Anekal, Karnataka

Actor/Producer

Biography

Santhosh Balaraj was a popular Kannada film actor known for his impactful roles in action and drama films. Born into a film family, he was the son of well-known Kannada producer Anekal Balraj, who produced several successful films under the Santosh Enterprises (SE) banner. Santhosh entered the film industry in 2009 with the movie Kempa, in which he played the lead role alongside actors like Avinash, Ruchita Prasad, and Pradeep Singh Rawat. His performance marked a promising start to his career in the Kannada film industry. He gained wider recognition with films like Ganapa (2015), a gritty action drama that showcased his ability to handle intense roles. His most notable performance came in Kariya 2, a film produced by his father, which received a positive response from audiences and critics alike. The movie starred Santhosh in the lead role and featured a strong ensemble cast including Ajay Ghosh, Mayuri Kyatari, Sadhu Kokila, and Nagesh Karthik. Death Tragically, Santhosh Balaraj passed away at the age of 34. He was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Sagar Apollo Hospital in Kumaraswamy Layout, Karnataka, reportedly due to complications from jaundice. According to media reports, the treatment was ineffective, leading to his untimely death. Just a few months earlier, in May 2025, his father Anekal Balraj had also passed away in a road accident in Bengaluru.