Sathish Ninasam

Shivakumar started his career as a theatre actor in Ninasam, a cultural organisation based in Heggodu in the Shimoga district of Karnataka. After a stint in television for a year, he started his career in films in 2008 with a small role in Madesha. He then appeared in small but significant roles in films like Manasaare, Pancharangi, Lifu Ishtene and Drama. His role in Drama won him a nomination for SIIMA Award for Best Comedian. However, it was for his role in the 2013 critically acclaimed psychological drama film Lucia, that won him praise from critics and audience alike. It premiered at the London Indian Film Festival in July 2013 and his performance won him accolades. In the film, he plays the role of Nikki, who works in a movie theater as an usher and suffering from Insomnia. He resorts to a drug named Lucia, which on consumption gives him sleep and lets him dream of a life he always yearned for. In the same year, he appeared in Dyavre, in which his performance was praised.