Milana Nagaraj

Biography

Milana Nagaraj (born 25 April 1989) is an Indian actress who primarily works in Kannada films. 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 praise for her portrayal of Nidhi in Love Mocktail (2020) and its sequel Love Mocktail 2 (2022), which marked a turning point in her career. For the former, she won the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress – Kannada and the SIIMA Award for Best Actress – Kannada. Milana is married to her co-actor Krishna.

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 the 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 the "bare minimum to do".

Milana made her film comeback, post a three-year hiatus with the 2020 film Love Mocktail. She portrayed Nidhima, a 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 gets to experiment with fresh characterization and gives a strong performance.”

In 2023, she first portrayed Pallavi opposite Krishna in Mr. Bachelor. Cinema Express mentions that she delivers "a likable 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 the 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.”

Milana will next appear in For Regn opposite Pruthvi Ambaar and in Araam Aravind Swamy opposite Anish Tejeshwar and Abhishek Shetty.

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