Aishwarya Rai
Born on November 1, 1973, in Mangaluru (Mangalore)—the coastal heart of Karnataka’s Dakshina Kannada district—Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is one of India’s most celebrated global cultural icons. Hailing from the Tulu-speaking Bunt community native to the coastal Tulu Nadu region, she was raised by her father Krishnaraj Rai, a marine biologist, and her mother Vrinda Rai, a writer. Although her family later relocated to Mumbai for her schooling, she maintained deep cultural and linguistic ties to her South Canara heritage. Her early background included rigorous training in classical dance forms like Bharatanatyam, laying the groundwork for her expressive artistic career. when she was crowned Miss World 1994, bringing global attention to her poise, intellect, and timeless beauty. A regular luminary at the Cannes Film Festival and the first Indian woman to serve on its main competition jury, she was honored with the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 2009 and France’s Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 2012, remaining a source of immense pride for the Dakshina Kannada region and Indian cinema worldwide. Over her career, she expanded her footprint internationally with Hollywood projects like Bride and Prejudice (2004) and The Pink Panther 2 (2009).
Suniel Shetty
Born on August 11, 1961, in Mulki, Dakshina Kannada, Suniel Shetty is a veteran Indian actor, film producer, and entrepreneur whose career spans over three decades and more than 100 films. He made his Bollywood debut in 1992 with Balwaan, quickly establishing himself as one of Hindi cinema’s leading action icons alongside contemporaries like Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgn. Known fondly as “Anna,” he became a staple of 1990s high-octane cinema through major commercial hits such as Mohra (1994), Dilwale (1994), and Border (1997). Beyond the action genre, Shetty displayed remarkable versatility by venturing into romantic dramas like Dhadkan (2000)—for which he won the Filmfare Award for Best Villain—and delivering timeless comedic performances, most notably as the lovable Shyam in Priyadarshan’s cult classic Hera Pheri (2000) and its sequel Phir Hera Pheri (2006). Beyond his screen career, Suniel Shetty is widely recognized for his business acumen and commitment to fitness and philanthropy. He founded the production banner Popcorn Motion Pictures and has built a sprawling business portfolio spanning luxury hospitality, real estate, apparel, and fitness ventures like Mission Fit India.
Shilpa Shetty
Born on June 8, 1975, with family roots originating in Mangaluru within Karnataka’s Dakshina Kannada district, Shilpa Shetty Kundra is a prominent Indian actress, entrepreneur, author, and wellness advocate. Raised in a Tulu-speaking Bunt family, she entered the entertainment industry as a model before making an explosive Bollywood debut in the thriller Baazigar (1993). Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, she established herself as a leading commercial star and one of Hindi cinema’s most celebrated dancers, delivering chart-topping performances in blockbusters such as Main Khiladi Tu Anari (1994), Dhadkan (2000), and Dus (2005), as well as earning critical acclaim for her performance in the drama Phir Milenge (2004). Shilpa achieved major international recognition in 2007 after winning the British reality television show Celebrity Big Brother 5, handling controversial house dynamics with grace and drawing widespread global applause.
Dr. Devi Shetty
Dr. Devi Prasad Shetty is an Indian cardiac surgeon and philanthropist, best known as the founder and chairman of Narayana Health. Born in Kinnigoli, Dakshina Kannada district, Karnataka, he completed his medical education at Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, before undergoing advanced cardiothoracic surgical training at Guy’s Hospital in London and earning his fellowship from the Royal College of Surgeons. Upon returning to India, Dr. Shetty gained nationwide prominence after performing the country’s first successful neonatal heart surgery in 1992 and serving as the personal physician to Mother Teresa. Widely celebrated for pioneering affordable healthcare models by leveraging economies of scale and co-creating micro-health insurance initiatives like the Yeshasvini scheme, he has performed tens of thousands of surgeries. In recognition of his massive contributions to medicine and accessible healthcare delivery, the Government of India awarded him the Padma Shri in 2004 and the Padma Bhushan in 2012.
Veerendra Heggade
Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade is an Indian philanthropist, social reformer, and the 21st hereditary administrator (Dharmadhikari) of the sacred Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala temple in Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka. Taking over the lineage of the temple trust in 1968 at the age of twenty, he transformed the institutional reach of Dharmasthala far beyond religious duties into an engine for widespread social development, healthcare, and education. He is widely recognized for establishing the Shri Kshethra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project (SKDRDP) and co-founding RUDSETI (Rural Development and Self-Employment Training Institute), initiatives that have empowered millions through microfinance, self-help groups, and vocational skill-building. As head of the SDM Educational Society, he oversees numerous institutions ranging from primary schools to top-tier medical, engineering, and management colleges across Karnataka.
Rani Abbakka Chowta
Rani Abbakka Chowta was the 16th-century Queen of Ullal (near modern-day Mangalore in coastal Karnataka), celebrated as one of India’s earliest female freedom fighters and known as Abhaya Rani (the fearless queen). Belonging to the matrilineal Chowta dynasty, she fiercely resisted Portuguese colonial expansion along the Arabian Sea coast, repeatedly defeating Portuguese naval and ground forces across multiple military campaigns from the 1550s to the 1580s. Abbakka forged strategic alliances with regional rulers, including the Zamorin of Calicut and the Sultan of Bijapur, commanding a religiously diverse army and navy that defended coastal trade and refused to pay coercive tribute to the Portuguese. Her valiant leadership, martial prowess, and tactical defiance have cemented her legacy as an enduring symbol of resistance and coastal Karnataka’s cultural heritage.
NMC News
NMC News is a regional television and digital news channel based in Mangalore (Mangaluru), primarily serving audiences across the coastal belt of Karnataka, including the Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts. Operating through local cable television networks as well as digital and social media video platforms, the channel focuses on grassroots journalism, civic administration updates, crime reports, and local political developments. It broadcasts primarily in Kannada along with coverage catering to the linguistic tapestry of the region, including Tulu and Beary-speaking communities. In addition to daily news bulletins, NMC News actively covers community events, religious and cultural festivities, charity drives, and human-interest stories, serving as an accessible platform for hyper-local reporting and public awareness across coastal Karnataka.
V4 News
V4 News brings you the latest stories, headlines, and analysis. In this detailed studio scene, a professional news anchor presents the day’s breaking news, focusing on key events from Dakshina Kannada. The V4 News team is committed to delivering timely and accurate reporting to viewers, using high-tech displays and multiple sources of information. On the set, the anchor is positioned behind a sleek modern news desk, which features integrated lighting and the V4 News logo prominently displayed on the front. To her right, a large digital video wall showcases an array of live images and graphics, representing the top stories in progress. Highlights include iconic landmarks like the Sri Manjunatha Temple and historical churches, bustling street scenes in Mangalore, traditional Yakshagana performers, and picturesque coastlines. The screen also displays the ‘BREAKING NEWS’ graphic with a summary text and a localized map of the region.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to commonly asked questions about the Dakshina Kannada District Media Center.
The Media Center provides information about important district activities, government initiatives, public events, announcements, achievements and news related to Dakshina Kannada.
The latest district-related news and important announcements can be viewed through the Media Center and the official district website.
Yes. Important government announcements, public notices, programmes and district-level updates can be published through the Media Center.
Yes. Photographs highlighting government programmes, public events, cultural activities and important occasions can be displayed in the Media Center.
Yes. Relevant videos covering district events, programmes, public initiatives and other important activities can be included in the Media Center.
Media organizations can refer to official district communications and contact the concerned district authorities for verified information and media-related queries.