Milana Nagaraj

Milana Nagaraj (born 25 April) is an Indian actress who primarily works in Kannada films. Milana has established herself as one of the leading actresses in Kannada cinema and is a recipient of several accolades including a Filmfare Awards South and two South Indian International Movie Awards.

Milana made her acting debut with Nam Duniya Nam Style (2013). The same year, she received Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Kannada nomination, for her performance in Brindavana. Post a series of failures, Milana received praises for her portrayal of Nidhi in Love Mocktail (2020) and its sequel Love Mocktail 2 (2022), they marked a turning point in her career. For the former, she won the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress – Kannada and SIIMA Award for Best Actress – Kannada. Further success came with Kousalya Supraja Rama (2023).

Milana is married to her frequent co-actor Darling Krishna.

Early life and work
Milana was born on 25 April in Hassan, Karnataka. She completed her schooling in Hassan. She completed her BE in computer science from Vivekananda Institute of Technology, Bengaluru and is a computer engineer. She was a state-level backstroke swimmer, before she started modelling.

Milana started her career as a model and participated in Femina Miss Karnataka, where she won "Miss Best Personality". She then ventured into acting.

Debut and early work (2013-2019)
Milana made her acting debut with the 2013 film Nam Duniya Nam Style opposite Likith Shetty. Times of India noted "Milana Nagaraj excels with good expressions and dialogue delivery." The same year, she portrayed Madhu opposite Darshan in Brindavana, a remake of Telugu film Brindavanam. Times of India said that Milana "impresses" with her expressions. In 2015, she portrayed Purvi in Charlie, opposite Krishna.

Milana has two releases in 2017. She first made her Malayalam film debut with Avarude Raavukal opposite Vinay Forrt. Deccan Chronicle stated, "Milana Nagaraj has done a neat job but seems like an afterthought." She next portrayed Aishwarya in Jani opposite Vijay Raghavendra. Times of India noted that Milana has "bare minimum to do".

Breakthrough and success (2020-2022)
Milana made her film comeback, post a three year hiatus with the 2020 film Love Mocktail. She portrayed Nidhima, software employee opposite Krishna. The New Indian Express stated, "A unique role for Milana Nagaraj, she shows maturity in her acting." The News Minute noted, "Milana Nagaraj has a refreshing character and plays her part well. She must continue to pick roles that bring the best out of her." The same year, she portrayed Spandana in Matte Udbhava opposite Panju. Times of India mentioned that "Milana Nagaraj chips in with a good performance."

Milana had three releases in 2022. She first reprised Nidhima in Love Mocktail 2 opposite Krishna. Deccan Herald mentioned, "Milana's effort is a fine mix of understanding the character and bringing new layers to it." They even termed her "The soul of the franchise". Times of India stated, "Milana looks ethereal in the film and adds a lot of entertainment." She next portrayed Renu Rona opposite Sudeepa in Vikrant Rona. Bollywood Hungama noted that, "Milana is nice in her cameo role." She then portrayed Nikitha alongside Amrutha Iyengar in O(ಓ). The New Indian Express stated, "Milana get to experiment with fresh characterisation and gives a strong performance."

Milana also turned producer with these films. She has co-produced Love Mocktail (2020) and Love Mocktail 2 (2022). She won SIIMA Award for Best Film – Kannada for the former.

Career progression (2023-present)
In 2023, she first portrayed Pallavi opposite Krishna in Mr. Bachelor. Cinema Express mentions that she delivers "a likeable performance". She next portrayed a fashion designer in Love Birds opposite Krishna. The New Indian Express said, "Milana gives a natural and poignant performance." While Times of India wrote, "Krishna and Milana impress with their performance as a couple that is very much in love, but are unable to see through their differences." In her third film of the year, Milana portrayed an alcoholic again opposite Krishna in Kousalya Supraja Rama. The Hindu noted, "Milana’s portrayal of a drunkard is a tad over the top, but she performs with superb restraint in serious portions."

In 2024, Milana appeared in For Regn opposite Pruthvi Ambaar. She played Anvita, whose marriage is in trouble. Vivek M. V. noted, "Milana is natural in emotional sequences and the actors [Milana and Ambaar] do more for the film than what the film does for them." Milana will next appear in Araam Aravind Swamy opposite Anish Tejeshwar and Abhishek Shetty.

Personal life
Milana Nagaraj met actor Krishna, on the sets of the 2013 film Nam Duniya Nam Style. They eventually started dating in 2015. Milana married Krishna on 14 February 2021, in a private traditional ceremony on the outskirts of Bengaluru.

In the media
Writing for Film Companion, film journalist Sonu Venugopal opined: "Milana Nagaraj has starred in many rom-coms in her career and has ushered in a new brand of such films in Kannada cinema. Milana would certainly be the perfect actor for a monicker in the rom-com genre, if there was." Milana was placed 17th in 2013 and 14th in 2020, in the Bangalore Times' Most Desirable Women list. In 2023, News18 placed her 3rd in its "Top Kannada Actresses" list and noted, "Her on-screen charisma and stellar performance worked wonders in Kousalya Supraja Rama. Milana is one of the most followed Kannada actress on Instagram.

Films

 * All films are in Kannada unless otherwise noted.