Gurunandan

**Gurunandan** (born Gurumurthy) is an Indian actor who works in Kannada cinema and television. Popularly referred to by fans as "First Rank Raju" and "Rank Star," he is recognized for his relatable charm, expressive comedic timing, and grounded portrayals of everyday youth caught in societal expectations.

Born in Mudigere in the Chikkamagaluru district of Karnataka, Gurunandan moved to Bengaluru to pursue an acting career. He initially gained prominence on Kannada television, appearing in small roles including T. N. Seetharam's daily serial *Muktha Muktha*, before earning widespread recognition as Surya in the popular soap opera *Lakumi*. He made his feature film debut in *Cyber Yugadol Nava Yuva Madhura Prema Kavyam* (2012), earning a SIIMA nomination for Best Male Debut.