The early 90s were a turning point for Indian cinema, a time when a new generation of actors was ready to take over from the ageing superstars. The industry was buzzing with young faces, eager energy, and the promise of fresh stories.
Among these rising stars was a teenage boy who became a sensation overnight. At just 15, he made his debut as a lead actor and was instantly hailed as the next big thing in Indian films.
That young actor was Harish Kumar, who began his journey in cinema much earlier. He started working as a child artist in the late 70s. He appeared in several Telugu films and soon became a familiar face in the South Indian film industry.
His big breakthrough came in 1990 with the Telugu hit Prema Khaidi. The movie was remade in Hindi in 1991, featuring Harish alongside debutante Karisma Kapoor.
He appeared in several hit films like Tirangaa and College Bullodu, earning a solid place in both Hindi and Telugu cinema. Many even believed he was ahead of other newcomers like Shah Rukh Khan and Akshay Kumar.
Despite being popular, Harish was often cast as the second lead alongside senior stars like Nana Patekar, Govinda, Chiranjeevi and Nandamuri Balakrishna.
By the early 2000s, after appearing in films like Coolie No. 1, Hero N. 1, and The Gentleman, he had already seen the highs and lows of fame.
In 2001, at just 26, he decided to step away from the spotlight. Years later, Harish revealed the real reason behind his sudden exit.
In his childhood, Harish suffered a back injury that worsened over time. “I suffered a major slipped disc… the situation was so bad that I couldn’t even go to the washroom,” he told HT.
He tried making a comeback with films like Naughty @ 40 and Chaar Din Ki Chandni, but they didn’t click at the box office.
In 2025, Harish made his OTT debut with Griha Laxmi and now leads a quiet life between Chennai, Hyderabad, and Mumbai.