Kannada Actor Santhosh Balaraj Dies at 34 from Jaundice

Santhosh Balaraj (1990–2025): A Promising Talent Gone Too Soon

Early Life & Family Legacy

Santhosh Balaraj was born on March 31, 1990, in Bengaluru, Karnataka. He was the only son of Anekal Balaraj, a respected Kannada film producer known for films like Kariya (2003), Kariya 2, and Jackpot.¹⁰ Born into a movie family, Santhosh was drawn to acting from a young age and made his on-screen debut in 2009 with the action film Kempa, produced by his father.

Ascending the Sandalwood Ladder

Following Kempa (2009), Santhosh appeared in Olavina Ole (2012) and Janma (2013). Though these films drew mixed responses, they helped him hone his craft. His breakthrough came in 2015 with Ganapa, an underworld drama directed by Prabhu Srinivas. Critics noted his growth as a performer, and the film later gained wider reach when dubbed in Hindi as Daada Ka Vaada.

His next significant role came in Kariya 2 (2017), an action-romance thriller intertwined with gangster themes. The film received praise for its gritty tone and execution, and IMDb currently lists it at 7.1. Santhosh’s role solidified his reputation as a youthful action lead in Kannada cinema.

Through the years, he also appeared in Barkley (also stylized Berkley), Satya (2024), and others—steadily carving a place for himself under his family’s banner Santosh Enterprises.

Personal Life & Resilience

Santhosh never married and lived with his mother following the tragic death of his father, Anekal Balaraj, who succumbed to injuries in a road accident in Bengaluru on May 15, 2022. Despite facing both personal and professional challenges, Santhosh continued his career, laboring to establish an independent identity within Sandalwood.

Final Battle: Jaundice and Untimely Death

Health Decline & Hospitalization

In late July 2025, Santhosh developed severe symptoms of jaundice, with the infection spreading throughout his body. He was admitted on August 1, 2025, to Sagar Apollo Hospital in Kumaraswamy Layout, Bengaluru, and placed in ICU as his condition worsened.

He had been battling jaundice for several weeks, but despite medical intervention, his health deteriorated rapidly. At around 9:45 AM on August 5, 2025, he passed away, succumbing to complications arising from the illness.

The Shockwaves in Sandalwood

News of his death sent shockwaves through the Kannada film industry. Colleagues, fans, and well-wishers expressed profound sorrow over the loss of a young artist whose career had only begun to blossom. Tributes poured in, acknowledging his passion, potential, and the legacy he had inherited—and hoped to continue.

Legacy: Roles & Remembrance

Career Retrospective

Santhosh’s filmography, while not extensive, reflects a steady upward trajectory:

• Kempa (2009) – Debut
• Olavina Ole (2012)
• Janma (2013)
• Ganapa (2015) – Breakthrough role
• Kariya 2 (2017) – Critical and commercial recognition
• Later works: Barkley (Berkeley), Satya (2024)

His performances in Ganapa and Kariya 2 remain the highlights of his career. Ganapa resonated because of his portrayal of a reluctant underworld entrant, whereas Kariya 2 delivered a more stylized, dark edge that complemented his evolving screen persona.

The Human Side

Santhosh’s life touched many through personal virtues: familial devotion, resilience after his father’s passing, and commitment to a dream nurtured in Kannada cultural soil. He didn’t chase fame; he strived to uphold his father’s legacy while forging his own identity. He remained unmarried and lived with his mother, who had stood with him through trying times.

Reflection: A Loss Beyond Numbers

At just 34, Santhosh Balaraj’s passing is not just the end of a life—it is the silencing of a voice in Kannada cinema that had yet to reach its full pitch. His death underscores the tragedy of jaundice, an illness that, despite being treatable, claimed his life prematurely. His career arc—from debut to discovery, followed by stagnation due to personal loss and then resurgence—mirrors the real complexities behind many rising stars.

For the Kannada film industry, his death prompts reflection on health awareness, support systems for artists, and the fragility of talent in the face of illness.

Timeline: Key Moments

Santhosh Balaraj’s life reminds us that talent, even when nurtured under legacy, is precious—and sometimes heartbreakingly fragile.