Who is Varthur Santhosh? Age, Wiki, Net Worth, Wife, Children, Family, Height & BIO
Varthur Santhosh is an Indian farmer and social activist who is known for his efforts in saving Hallikar cows, an indigenous cattle breed native to Karnataka. He is also a contestant on the reality show Bigg Boss Kannada 10, where he recently made headlines for being arrested by the forest department for wearing a tiger claw pendant, which is illegal and punishable under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. In this article, we will explore the life, career, achievements, controversies, and personal details of Santhosh.
Biography and Education
Santosh Kumar S., also known as Varthur or Varthur Santhosh Abhimani, was born on March 12 in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. He is a Pisces according to his zodiac sign. He attended Lady Vailankanni English School in Bengaluru and is affectionately called Appi by his loved ones. His fans and supporters have given him nicknames such as VS Boss and Hallikar Santhosh.
Career and Achievements
Varthur Santhosh is a farmer and a cattle breeder. He has many animals and is engaged in activities like animal husbandry. He runs a business selling cows in Bengaluru and also has a real estate business. He is passionate about farming and animal conservation, especially the Hallikar cows, which are an integral part of Karnataka’s heritage and agriculture.
The Hallikar cows are known for their strength, endurance, adaptability, and milk quality. They are also used for ploughing fields and pulling carts. However, due to various factors like urbanization, cross-breeding, mechanization, and lack of awareness, the population of Hallikar cows has declined drastically over the years.
Varthur Santhosh became interested in preserving the Hallikar breed after the demise of his father, who was also a farmer. He started collecting and breeding Hallikar cows from different parts of Karnataka and neighboring states. He also established the All India Hallikar Breed Conservation Committee, of which he is the chairman. The committee aims to promote, protect, and propagate the Hallikar breed among farmers and the public.
Santhosh’s efforts in conserving the Hallikar cows have earned him recognition and honors at various events. He has participated in several cattle fairs and exhibitions, where he has showcased his Hallikar cows and educated people about their importance. He has also received awards from various organizations and institutions for his contribution to animal welfare and rural development.
In 2023, he appeared as a contestant in the reality show Bigg Boss Kannada 10, hosted by actor Sudeep. He entered the show as a commoner with no prior experience in the entertainment industry. He said that he wanted to use the platform to spread awareness about the Hallikar cows and inspire others to take up farming as a profession.
How did Varthur Santhosh become a Bigg Boss contestant?
Santhosh’s popularity on social media and his work for Hallikar conservation caught the attention of the makers of the reality show ‘Bigg Boss Kannada 10,’ which is hosted by the famous actor Sudeep. He was approached by the show’s team and invited to participate as a contestant in the tenth season of the show, which premiered on 3 October 2023 on Colors Kannada channel.
Varthur Santhosh accepted the offer and entered the Bigg Boss house along with 16 other contestants. He was seen as a simple, humble, and honest person who was proud of his farming background and his love for animals. He also showcased his talent in singing, dancing, and comedy during various tasks and events in the show. He quickly became a fan favorite and received a lot of support and votes from the viewers.
Why is Varthur Santhosh passionate about Hallikar cows?
Santhosh’s passion for Hallikar cows stems from his personal tragedy and his cultural heritage. According to him, farming became his passion after the demise of his father, who was also a farmer. He inherited his father’s land and animals and decided to continue his legacy. He also developed a deep attachment to the Hallikar cows, which are an integral part of Karnataka’s heritage and agriculture.
The Hallikar breed of cattle is one of the oldest and finest breeds in India. It is native to the southern state of Karnataka, where it has been reared for centuries by the people of the Halli community. The Hallikar cows are known for their distinctive features, such as their long horns, hump, dewlap, black or grey coat, and hardy nature.
They are well adapted to the local climatic conditions and are resistant to diseases. They are mainly used for draught purposes, such as plowing fields, pulling carts, and transporting goods. They are also valued for their milk, which is rich in fat content and has medicinal properties.
However, the Hallikar breed is facing a threat of extinction due to various factors, such as crossbreeding, urbanization, mechanization, loss of grazing lands, lack of awareness, and neglect by the government. According to some estimates, there are only about 50 thousand purebred Hallikar cows left in Karnataka today.
Controversies and Arrest
Varthur Santhosh’s stint in Bigg Boss Kannada 10 was cut short when he was arrested by the forest department on October 23, 2023, for wearing a tiger claw pendant. The pendant was spotted by some viewers who alerted the authorities about the possible violation of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, which prohibits the possession, trade, or display of any animal parts belonging to endangered species like tigers.
The forest officials visited the set of Bigg Boss Kannada 10 near Komaghatta in Bengaluru and requested the production team to hand over the pendant for inspection. After confirming that it was a genuine tiger claw through forensic analysis, they asked the production team to produce Varthur before them. Varthur was then taken out of the show and arrested by the officials.
During the interrogation, Santhosh confessed that he had bought the pendant from a dealer in Hosur three years ago. He claimed that he did not know that it was illegal or that it was obtained from a tiger. He said that he wore it as a symbol of pride and courage.
Varthur was booked under Section 51 (1) (a) of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, which carries a maximum punishment of seven years imprisonment or a fine of Rs 25 lakh or both. He was produced before the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) court in Koramangala, Bengaluru, where he was remanded to 14 days judicial custody in Parappana Agrahara jail.
Why was Varthur Santhosh arrested by the forest department?
Santhosh’s journey in Bigg Boss Kannada 10 came to an abrupt end when he was arrested by the forest department on 23 October 2023 for wearing a tiger claw pendant, which is illegal under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. The act prohibits the possession, trade, or display of any animal parts or products derived from endangered species, such as tigers, elephants, leopards, rhinos, etc. The violation of this act can attract a punishment of three to seven years of imprisonment or a fine of up to 25 thousand rupees or both.
The arrest took place after the forest department received a complaint from an activist who had noticed Varthur Santhosh wearing the pendant on the show. The forest officials visited the set of the show near Komaghatta in Bengaluru and asked the production team to hand over the pendant for inspection. After confirming that it was a genuine tiger claw, they asked the team to produce Santhosh before them. Varthur was taken out of the Bigg Boss house and arrested by the officials around 8:30 p.m.
According to Varthur Santhosh, he had bought the pendant three years ago from a dealer in Hosur, Tamil Nadu, without knowing that it was illegal or how it was obtained. He said that he wore it as a lucky charm and had no intention of harming any wildlife. He also claimed that he had not worn it before entering the Bigg Boss house and that he had found it in his luggage after entering the house.
Where is Varthur Santhosh now?
Varthur is currently in judicial custody at Parappana Agrahara jail in Bengaluru. He was produced before the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) court in Koramangala on 23 October 2023, where he was remanded to 14 days of judicial custody. He will undergo a day of quarantine in the jail before being transferred to his designated cell.
Varthur Santhosh’s lawyer Nataraj has filed a bail application on his behalf, which will be heard by the court soon. Nataraj has argued that Varthur is innocent and that he was unaware of the legal implications of wearing the pendant. He has also said that Santhosh is ready to cooperate with the authorities and face any consequences.
Varthur Santhosh Wife, Children, and Family
Santhosh is unmarried and has no children. There is not much information available about his parents and siblings. He follows Hinduism as his religion.
Varthur is fond of tattoos and has several inks on his body. He has got ‘HALLIKAR’ inked on his left hand, ‘MY DAD is MY HERO’ and ‘Love U Mom’ inked on his wrists, and some other designs on his right arm.
Santhosh is also an avid social media user and has a verified Instagram account with over 35K followers. He often posts pictures and videos of his Hallikar cows and other animals on his account. He also shares updates about his personal and professional life with his fans.
Net Worth
Santhosh’s net worth and salary are not known to the public. However, considering his multiple sources of income from farming, cattle breeding, real estate, and reality shows, he is estimated to have a decent amount of wealth.
Height and Weight
Santhosh’s height is approximately 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm) and his weight is around 75 kg (165 lbs). He has black hair and black eyes.
Varthur Santhosh Wiki, BIO
| Name | Varthur Santosh Kumar S. |
| AKA | Varthur Santhosh Abhimani |
| Nickname | Appi |
| Date of Birth | 12 March |
| Age | 29-32 years old (estimated) |
| Birthplace | Bengaluru, Karnataka, India |
| Zodiac sign | Pisces |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Hometown | Bengaluru |
| School | Lady Vailankanni English School, Bengaluru |
| Profession | Farmer, Cattle Breeder, Social Activist, Reality Show Contestant |
| Known for | Saving Hallikar Cows, Participating in Bigg Boss Kannada 10 |
| Awards | Various awards for animal conservation and rural development |
| Controversies | Arrested for wearing a tiger claw pendant |
| Marital Status | Unmarried |
| Children | None |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Tattoos | ‘HALLIKAR’ on the left hand, ‘MY DAD is MY HERO’ and ‘Love U Mom’ on the wrists, other designs on the right arm |
| varthur_santhosh.54 | |
| Height | 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm) |
| Weight | 75 kg (165 lbs) |
| Hair Colour | Black |
| Eye Colour | Black |
| Homepage | newsunzip.com |
Trivia
- He became interested in preserving the Hallikar breed after the demise of his father, who was also a farmer.
- He established the All India Hallikar Breed Conservation Committee, of which he is the chairman.
- Santhosh entered Bigg Boss Kannada 10 as a commoner with no prior experience in the entertainment industry.
- He wore the tiger claw pendant as a symbol of pride and courage.
- He confessed that he had bought the pendant from a dealer in Hosur three years ago.
- Varthur was remanded to 14 days judicial custody in Parappana Agrahara jail.
Summary
Varthur Santhosh is an Indian farmer and social activist who is known for his efforts in saving Hallikar cows, an indigenous cattle breed native to Karnataka. He is also a contestant on the reality show Bigg Boss Kannada 10, where he recently made headlines for being arrested by the forest department for wearing a tiger claw pendant, which is illegal and punishable under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. He is unmarried and has no children. He has several tattoos on his body and is active on social media.
