Actor-director Harish Raj has completed 25 years successfully in Sandalwood. To mark this occasion, the actor recently honoured Girish Kasaravalli and others who mentored him.

Harish Raj came to Sandalwood in 1997 with S V Rajendra Singh Babu’s ‘Doni Saagali’, in which he played the role of Soundarya’s younger brother. The same year, the actor acted in Girish Kasaravalli’s ‘Thayi Saheba’ which was produced by actress Dr Jayamala. His performance in the film was very much appreciated and there was no turning back for the actor from then on. After that Harish Raj went on to act in more than 70 films and 20 television serials.

One of the highlights is Harish Raj has acted under the direction of many critically acclaimed directors like Girish Karnad, Girish Kasaravalli and Rajendra Singh Babu. Harish is the only actor to act in three films of Girish Kasaravalli. The director is known for not repeating the actors in his films again and again. However, Harish Raj has acted under Girish Kasaravalli’s direction in films like ‘Thayi Saheba’, ‘Dweepa’ and ‘Koormavathara’.

Harish Raj turned director with ‘Kalakar’ and has directed films like ‘Gun’, ‘Sri Satyanarayana’, ‘Khiladi Police’ and others. He also holds the Limca Book of Records of essaying 16 roles in ‘Sri Satyanarayana’. The actor has also ventured into Malayalam cinema and has acted in few films there.

The actor was last seen in Anish Tejeshwar’s ‘Ramarjuna’ and is looking forward for the release of ’20:20’ in which he has acted along with Komal Kumar.