Gilli Nata Makes Big Career Shift After Bigg Boss Kannada 12 Win, Shares Update On Directorial Debut

Gilli Nata Announces Directorial Debut: Gilli Nata, who emerged as the winner of Bigg Boss Kannada Season 12, has shared details about his next professional move, indicating that he is preparing to direct a feature film. The development was reported by TV9 Kannada, which stated that the actor is planning to transition from acting to filmmaking and has already finalised a story for the project.

According to the report, Gilli Nata confirmed during a recent public interaction that he intends to step behind the camera. He is expected to begin work on the screenplay once his current public commitments are completed. The actor has been attending various events and cultural programmes since the conclusion of Bigg Boss, maintaining visibility both online and at public events.

It has been more than a month since the reality show wrapped up, but the visibility he gained through the programme has remained steady. Clips of his appearances continue to circulate on social media platforms, and he has been interacting with fans at multiple gatherings. During one such interaction, he spoke about his plans, adding that directing a film had been on his mind for some time.

Gilli Nata's Career Journey

Born Malavalli Nataraj on June 21, 1998, the actor is better known in the Kannada entertainment industry as Gilli Nata. He began his career working behind the scenes in film sets, assisting in art departments before moving into on-screen roles. His early recognition came through the television comedy reality show Comedy Khiladigalu Season 4 in 2022, where he finished as the first runner-up. He later participated in Dance Karnataka Dance, receiving the Best Entertainer Award.

Gilli Nata made his film debut in 2024 with Langoti Man and subsequently appeared in a supporting role in Darshan's The Devil (2025). However, his wider popularity grew significantly after winning Bigg Boss Kannada 12 (2025-26).

While he is primarily known as an actor and television personality, he has previously directed a few short films, which reportedly helped him gain practical experience in filmmaking. In his recent comments, he noted that acting involves performing within an already prepared framework, whereas directing requires overseeing the project from script development to completion.

With a story reportedly ready, he is expected to focus on writing the screenplay in the coming months. Further details regarding the cast, production timeline, or release plans have not yet been announced.