Chetan Kumar () (born 24 February 1983), also known as Chetan Ahimsa, is an American Kannada-language film actor. Chetan made his on-screen debut in the 2007 cult classic film Aa Dinagalu, which earned him the Udaya Film Award for Best Debut Actor Male. His most recent success came in the 2013 hit film Myna, for which his performance received strong critical acclaim.

Chetan was born and brought up in Chicago, Illinois, US. He finished high school as the valedictorian at Marist High School, Chicago. His parents, both doctors working in the US, are originally from Karnataka, India. Chetan Kumar married his long-time partner Megha on 2 February 2020. Their wedding ceremony, which was held in an orphanage, received praise for innovative initiatives such as a plantable (seed paper) invitation card, marriage vows presided by a transgender activist, and gifting the 'Indian Constitution' to all guests. One of his tweets regarding a high court justice of the Karnataka High Court sparked controversy.

Education
Kumar graduated from Yale University in South Asian studies with an emphasis on comparative theater in 2005. As a US citizen, Chetan came to India as a Fulbright Scholar for the 2005-2006 academic year.

Upon completing his studies in 2005, Kumar was awarded a twelve-month Fulbright Scholarship to Karnataka, India. During this time, he collaborated with the National School of Drama in Bangalore.

Career

Film actor
In the film Noorondu Nenapu (2017), Kumar portrayed the lead character named "Shreyas". However, in Chamarajanagara, Karnataka, the film faced opposition from right-wing extremists who tore down posters and prevented its screening, citing Kumar's political stances.

Social and political activism
Chetan identifies himself as an Ambedkarite and espouses the ideas of Buddha, Basava, Ambedkar, Phule, and Periyar. He actively supports various social causes and has been involved in several activist initiatives, including:

 Rehabilitation Fund for Endosulfan Victims (2013): Chetan, along with local activists, played a role in advocating for a rehabilitation fund from the state government to assist victims of Endosulfan.
 Building Homes for Evicted Tribals (2016): Chetan was involved in the construction of 528 homes for the evicted tribals of Dhidalli, Coorg.
 FIRE (Film Industry for Rights and Equality) (2017): Chetan founded FIRE to advocate for the rights and welfare of women, writers, and workers in the Kannada Film Industry.
 Advocacy for the Kadugolla Community (2018): Chetan played a role in securing a recognized identity for the Kadugolla community.
 Minority Status for Lingayats (2018): Chetan supported the cause of granting a state-approved "minority status" to Lingayats.
 Panelist for Socio-Political Discussions: Chetan is regularly invited as a panelist for TV and media discussions on socio-political issues.
 Writing and Voicing Social Concerns: Chetan expresses his views on social concerns and recent government policies through writings and media engagements, covering topics such as casting couch, water politics, communal politics, reservations for marginalized communities, and environmental destruction.
 Anti-Superstition Campaign (2014): Chetan, along with local activists, worked to raise awareness and educate Koraga tribal school children against the discriminatory practice of "Ajjalu Paddhathi." Their efforts led to the state government banning this practice via the 2017 Anti-Superstition Bill.
 LGBTQIA Advocacy (2016): Chetan has been an advocate for the rights of sexual minorities and has contested the discriminatory Article 377.
 Environmental Activism: Chetan has actively raised his voice against projects and activities that pose threats to the environment, such as the construction of a steel flyover and the proposed Mekedatu Dam Project.
 Social Solidarity Movements: Chetan has participated in movements and campaigns in support of causes such as the "I am Gauri" campaign against attacks on activists/intellectuals and solidarity with Indian farmers protesting against the Farm Laws.
 Arrest Controversy: In 2022, Chetan was arrested for his tweet regarding Justice Krishna Dixit, who was presiding over the hijab issue in the Karnataka High Court. The arrest generated public criticism, with many arguing that the charges were frivolous.

Endosulfan victim rehabilitation
Kumar actively supported the cause of demanding 24-hour medical care and a monthly compensation increase for Endosulfan victims in Karnataka's coastal belt. The objective was to raise the compensation from Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 3,000-5,000. As a result of these efforts, the state government allocated Rs. 72-90 crores for the rehabilitation of pesticide poisoning victims, thereby meeting the demands of the campaign. The state government continues to provide the allocated support for the victims.

Dhidalli Adivasis rehabilitation protests
Kumar took a leading role in a large-scale campaign aimed at rehabilitating 3,000 Coorg tribals who were unlawfully displaced in December 2016. As part of the campaign, homes are currently being constructed near Kushalnagara under the auspices of the government. Each home is estimated to cost Rs. 4 lakhs, and the project aims to benefit more than 528 families.

In April 2018, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) officially accused the Dhidalli struggle of being "Naxalite-inspired"  and listed Kumar as responsible. However, Kumar has vehemently denied these allegations and argued that the Dhidalli protest was non-violent and constitutional. He has called for an apology from the Law Minister and the BJP state President in response to these accusations.

Lingayat independent religion
Kumar has been involved in advocating for the recognition of an independent Lingayat religion that is based on the philosophy of Basava and the Vachana literature. He has actively participated in pro-Lingayat religion forums held in various locations such as Bengaluru, Kalburgi, and Hassan. Additionally, he has contributed to several TV discussions and interviews to raise awareness and promote dialogue on this issue.

Kadugolla identity fight
Kumar played a significant role in leading the efforts to obtain state recognition for the Kadugolla community. The Kadugolla community consists of Kannada-speaking Adivasis who are engaged in sheep-rearing and have distinct socio-cultural practices and religious icons. Through his advocacy and activism, Kumar successfully achieved the recognition of the Kadugolla community by the state government.

Film Industry for Rights and Equality (FIRE)
Kumar is the founder of FIRE (Film Industry for Rights and Equality), an association based in the Kannada Film industry. Established in 2017, FIRE aims to address issues related to sexual harassment in the workplace, enhance the livelihoods of film workers and technicians, and establish a writers' guild that provides certification and structured payments for writers. The association works towards creating a safe and equitable working environment within the Kannada Film industry.

Rural school instruction
Kumar was actively involved in teaching critical thinking and current events at a village school in Mullur, Karnataka, located 25 km outside of Mysore. Starting in September 2005, he implemented various academic techniques such as interactive sessions, discussion forums, writing assignments, guest speakers, and meta-syllabus-based studies to enhance the learning experience for students.

Controversies and legal cases
Chetan Ahimsa has been actively advocating for Dalit/Adivasi rights and promoting the anti-caste ideologies of prominent figures such as Ambedkar, Periyar, and Kuvempu for over a decade. However, controversies have arisen in relation to his statements and activities.

On June 6, 2021, Chetan Ahimsa posted a tweet quoting Ambedkar and Periyar regarding Brahminism as an ideology, which led to a complaint being filed against him by Brahmin caste groups at Basavangudi Police Station on June 7.

In February 2022, Chetan Ahimsa was arrested for his alleged comments against a Karnataka High Court judge who was hearing a hijab case. The police took suo motu cognizance of his comments and arrested him, but he was later released on bail.

In October 2022, another First Information Report (FIR) was filed against Chetan Ahimsa by a right-wing extremist group for stating that Buta Kola, depicted in the film Kantara, was not part of a Hindu custom.

Chetan Ahimsa faced arrest again in March 2023 by the Bengaluru city police based on a complaint from a Bajrang Dal activist, accusing him of hurting religious sentiments with a tweet about Hindutva. The Karnataka Police's actions drew widespread criticism from human rights defenders for the alleged illegal arrest.

Furthermore, on April 14, 2023, the Ministry of Home Affairs cancelled Chetan Kumar's Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) status.

Philanthropy 
Chetan has been actively involved in philanthropic causes for over a decade, demonstrating his commitment to various charitable initiatives. Some of his notable contributions include:

 Karnataka flood relief efforts 2018: Chetan actively participated in the flood relief efforts in Kodagu, Karnataka, in August 2018. He donated ration kits and essential supplies to people affected by the floods. Additionally, he visited remote areas to assist the flood-affected tribal communities by providing relief materials.
 COVID-19 relief: During the COVID-19 pandemic, Chetan extended support to marginalized groups such as tribal communities and transgender individuals. He distributed ration and medical kits to those in need during the first and second waves of the pandemic.
 Advocacy for cemetery workers: Chetan has taken up the cause of cemetery and crematorium workers, highlighting their demands for better working conditions. He has urged the state government to address their requests, including insurance coverage, increased pay, and recognition as government employees.

Filmography

Awards and recognitions

References

External links
 
 

Living people
1983 births
Male actors from Chicago
American male film actors
Male actors in Kannada cinema
American people of Kannada descent
American male actors of Indian descent
American expatriate actors in India
Yale University alumni
Fulbright alumni
21st-century American male actors