Tarak Ponnappa or Thaarak Ponnappa is an Indian model and actor, who has predominantly worked in the Kannada film industry. He is known for appearing in the popular pan-India film sequels K.G.F: Chapter 1 (2018) and K.G.F: Chapter 2 (2022) as Daya.
Wiki/Biography
Tarak Ponnappa was born on Thursday, 13 June 1991 (age 31 years; as of 2022), and he hails from Kodagu (also known as Coorg), Karnataka. His zodiac sign is Gemini.
Tarak Ponnappa’s childhood picture
He spent his childhood in Bengaluru, where he attended BEL Vidyalaya. Tarak Ponnappa was passionate about acting since childhood, but knowing the uncertain nature of an acting career, he pursued engineering at the Acharya Institute of Technology, Bengaluru. He also holds a master’s degree in Highway technology from Resource Centre for Asphalt and Soil Training Academy (Rasta), Bengaluru.
Physical Appearance
Height: 6′ 2″
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Family
Parents & Siblings
Tarak Ponnappa’s father, Prabhu K N Ponnappa, works at Bharat Fritz Werner, and his mother is a self-employed beautician. His sister’s name is Loshik Ponnappa.
(From left to right) Prabhu K N Ponnappa, Tarak Ponnappa’s mother, Loshik Ponnappa, Radhika Nanaiah, and Tarak Ponnappa
Wife & Children
Tarak Ponnappa’s wife’s name is Radhika Nanaiah.
Tarak Ponnappa with his wife, Radhika Nanaiah
Ethnicity
He belongs to the Kodavas, an ethnolinguistic group from the region of Kodagu (Coorg) in the southern Indian state of Karnataka.
Tarak Ponnappa’s Facebook post showcasing his ethnicity
Career
Tarak Ponnappa ventured into the entertainment industry as a model. At the beginning of his career, he was associated with Prasad Bidapa Model Management. He has walked the ramp at various events like Karnataka Fashion Week (2013) and Femina Wedding Show (2015) and has modelled for various brands like John Players, KnockOut Soda, and Sashi Vangapalli Couture.
Tarak Ponnappa walking the ramp for collection of BiBi Russel in a Prasad Bidapa Show (2015)
Before he started his career as an actor, he worked as a model for four years.
Film
In 2017, he made his debut with the Kannada comedy romance film ‘Ajaramara’ in which he played the protagonist Ranavir, a multi-talented orphan with no goals in life.
Tarak Ponnappa as Ranavir in Ajaramara (2017)
He appeared in the 2018 Indian Kannada comedy-drama film ‘Brihaspathi’ in which he played an antagonist named Ronnie. A remake of Tamil-hit Velaiyilla Pattathari (VIP), the film follows an underemployed graduate who successfully overcomes various obstacles before and after finding employment.
Tarak Ponnappa as Ronnie in Brihaspathi (2018)
In 2018, he featured in the Kannada film ‘Kannada Deshadol’ in which he played the role of a police inspector named Vikram Nayak. In the 2018 Kannada drama film ‘6 to 6’, he played the protagonist. The film narrates the event which happens in a span of 12 hours during which a man after missing his bus is forced to walk through the forests to reach his destination. As the story unfolds, the man bumps into a lady, who looks distressed and is chased by a group of thugs.
In 2019, he played the negative role of O Ullas in the Kannada film ‘Adyaksha in America’ In the popular pan-India film sequels K.G.F: Chapter 1 (2018) and K.G.F: Chapter 2 (2022), he played the negative role of Daya.
Tarak Ponnappa as Daya in K.G.F Chapter 1 (2018)
In the 2021 Kannada suspense thriller film ‘Moksha,’ he played the role of Inspector Krishnamurthy.
Tarak Ponnappa as Inspector Krishnamurthy in Moksha (2021)
In 2021, he played the protagonist Vasudev Murthy, a software engineer married to a girl named Sapna, in the Kannada drama film ‘Amruth Apartments.’ In the film, a couple approaches a lawyer a year after their marriage to file for divorce but a tragedy in their apartment takes the couple by surprise.
In 2022, he the titular role in the dark romantic comedy film ‘Gilky.’ The film revolves around three differently labelled characters who suffer from cerebral palsy, mental illness, and visual impairment. In the film, Gilky works in a garage and is completely detached from society while his family also neglects him.
Tarak Ponnappa in and as Gilky (2022)
Other films in which he appeared include Kotigobba 3 (2021), Triple Whammy (2021), and Yuvarathnaa (2021). Tarak Ponnappa forayed into Telugu cinema in 2021 when he was cast in the Telugu film ‘C.S.I Sanatan’ in which he played the role of Vikram Chakrvarthy, a business tycoon capable of doin anything for monetary benefits.
Television
He beacme a household name with the Kannada romantic TV show ‘Raja Rani’ (2018) in which he played the protagonist Omkar, who gets married to a young clumsy girl named Chukki. Telecast on Colors Super, the show follows Omkar, an army officer, who, returns home after an injury and starts looking after his coffee business.
Tarak Ponnappa as Omkar in ‘Raja Rani’
In 2021, he made his debut in the Telugu TV industry with the show ‘Ravoyi Chandamma’ in which he played the role of Veeraswamy, who falls in love with a girl who doesn’t like him because of his rugged nature.
Short Film
In 2019, he starred in the critically acclaimed Kannada short film ‘Aavarta’ in which he played the lead role of Anthony, a young gangster. The story follows Anthony who wants to make a name for himself in the world of crime by killing yesteryear’s don.
Controversies
Awards, Honours, Achievements
Favourites
Bike Collection
Car Collection
Salary
Net Worth
Death
Facts/Trivia
- A fitness enthusiast, Ponnappa follows a healthy diet and a strict fitness regime.
- At the beginning of his modelling career, he used the moniker Jeffery Ponnappa. He is often referred to as Jeffery and Jeffy by his friends and family.
A newspaper referring to Tarak Ponnappa as Jeffery Ponnappa
- It was actor Tharak Ponnappa’s love for the culture and heritage of Karnataka that convinced him to take up a role in ‘Kannada Deshadol’. In an interview, he said,
I wanted to do the role as the film throws light on what is the culture of the state and showcases the beauty of the language.”
- He bagged the role in the film ‘Kannada Deshadol’ after its director, Aviram Kanteerava, saw Ponnappa’s look in another film ‘Moksha’, where he played Inspector Krishnamurthy.
- A native of Coorg, he is well versed in the Kodava language. He learnt Telugu while shooting for the TV show ‘Ravoyi Chandamma’ (2021).
- He is the recipient of the SIIMA Short Film Award (2019) in the category of Best Actor Male.
Tarak Ponnappa at SIIMA Short Film Award (2019)
- In an interview, he revealed that he observed monkeys to capture the nuances of his character in the film ‘Gilky.’ He said,
I had to lose weight and nail Gilky’s signature smile. For this, I observed monkeys to pick up nuances, such as raising my eyebrows just right.”
- Apart from his passion for acting, he also enjoys singing.
- His Instagram bio states that he is a flora and fauna enthusiast.