Naveen D. Padil

**Naveen D. Padil** (born 11 November 1969) is an acclaimed Indian theatre and film actor who primarily works in Tulu and Kannada cinema. Widely celebrated in Tulu theatre circles as a master of comedy and tragedy, he is affectionately known by fans as "Kusalda Arase" (The King of Comedy). With a prolific stage career, he has performed in over a thousand plays, leaving an indelible mark on regional theater.

Born in Padil, Mangalore, Karnataka, his deep roots in the coastal region's cultural fabric profoundly influenced his artistic journey. During the 1990s and early 2000s, Padil teamed up with Devadas Kapikad and Aravind Bolar to form a legendary comedic trio, revolutionizing Tulu stage comedies and entertaining massive audiences across the state.