Thithi hero Abhi now working as a daily-wage labourer; viral video sparks discussion
Bengaluru: Abhishek H.N., popularly known as Abhi, who played the lead role in the National Award–winning Kannada film Thithi, is back in the news — but for reasons far removed from cinema. A recent video of him working as a daily-wage labourer has gone viral on social media, triggering widespread shock and debate among fans.
Abhi, who shot to fame with his debut performance in Thithi, appeared in two more films soon after but gradually disappeared from the Kannada film industry. Now, several years later, he has resurfaced on camera, not as an actor but as a labourer carrying logs for daily wages.
The viral video, shot by a passerby, shows Abhi acknowledging that he is currently doing manual labour to earn a living. The clip has stirred conversations about the struggles faced by rural non-professional actors who achieve sudden fame but lack industry support thereafter.
Thithi, released nine years ago, became a landmark Kannada film, winning the National Film Award and earning global acclaim for its raw storytelling and non-professional cast from Mandya villages. Abhi, who played a young man involved in a brief love track with the character Kaveri, was one of the standout performers.
The news comes just weeks after the demise of Chennagowda, who played the iconic role of “Gaddappa” in Thithi, adding another emotional layer for fans of the film.
Abhi’s current circumstances highlight the harsh reality many rural artists face — momentary fame but limited opportunities and financial instability. The video has led to calls from fans and cinephiles urging the Kannada film fraternity to extend support to the talented but forgotten young actor.
