Renowned Kannada actor-producer-director Dwarakish passes away

Born on 19 August 1942 at Hunsur in Mysuru district, Dwarakish was best known for his comedy roles, which made him a household name in the state.

A diploma holder in mechanical engineering, Dwarakish made his debut in the tinsel town in 1966 by co-producing  Mamatheya Bandhana under the banner of Thunga Pictures.

He tasted big success as a producer with his movie Mayor Muthanna (1969), starring Kannada matinee idol Dr Rajkumar and Bharathi in the lead roles.

He introduced noted Bollywood playback singer Kishore Kumar to the Kannada film industry with the song “Aadu Aata Aadu” in the film Kulla Agent 000 (1972).

Dwarakish also introduced many young talents to the industry, including actors, directors, and technicians.

He remade many films in Kannada, including Apthamithra (2004), which created history in Sandalwood.

The horror film, starring Vishnuvardhan, late actor Soundarya, and Ramesh Arvind in the lead, was a remake of the Malayalam movie Manichithrathazhu (1993). Directed by P Vasu, Apthamithra was a huge commercial hit and ran for over a year at the Santosh theatre in Bengaluru.

P Vasu later remade it in Tamil as Chandramukhi (2005), starring Rajinikanth, Jyothika, and Prabhu, which again was a blockbuster.

Dwarakish’s last venture was Ayushmanbhava in 2018, featuring Dr Shiva Rajkumar, Ananth Nag, and Rachita Ram in the lead.

Actor, Director and Producer Bungle Shama Rao Dwarakanath, popularly known as #Dwarkish, 81, dies of a cardiac arrest at his residence in #Bengaluru.

In his over six-decade association with the #Kannada film industry, Dwarkish has acted in & produced several memorable movies.… pic.twitter.com/wyv2yKGyQF

— South First (@TheSouthfirst) April 16, 2024

Condolences pour in

Condolences poured in the actor-producer-director Dwarakish on Tuesday.

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said Dwarakish brought life to roles as a comedian, hero and supporting actor.

ಹಿರಿಯ ನಟ, ನಿರ್ದೇಶಕ ಹಾಗೂ ನಿರ್ಮಾಪಕರಾದ ಶ್ರೀ ದ್ವಾರಕೀಶ್‌ ಅವರು ನಿಧನರಾದ ಸಂಗತಿ ತಿಳಿದು ಮನಸ್ಸಿಗೆ ಅಪಾರ ನೋವುಂಟಾಯಿತು. 1964ರಲ್ಲಿ ಚಿತ್ರರಂಗಕ್ಕೆ ಪಾದಾರ್ಪಣೆ ಮಾಡಿದ ಅವರು, ಹಾಸ್ಯ ಕಲಾವಿದ, ನಾಯಕ ಹಾಗೂ ಪೋಷಕ ನಟನಾಗಿ ಪಾತ್ರಗಳಿಗೆ ಜೀವ ತುಂಬಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಕನ್ನಡ ಚಿತ್ರರರಂಗಕ್ಕೆ ಅಮೂಲ್ಯ ಕೊಡುಗೆ ನೀಡಿದ ದ್ವಾರಕೀಶ್‌ ಅವರ ಆತ್ಮಕ್ಕೆ… pic.twitter.com/VHYCGZtGSJ

— DK Shivakumar (@DKShivakumar) April 16, 2024

Former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy said not only as an artist, his unparalleled service to the Kannada film industry as a producer and director is unforgettable.

“He was an asset to Kannada cinema due to his versatile talent, who acted with great actors like Dr Rajkumar, Dr Vishnuvardhan and Ambareesh”, Kumaraswamy, who is also state JD(S) President, said.

ಕನ್ನಡದ ಹಿರಿಯ ನಟರಾದ ಶ್ರೀ ದ್ವಾರಕೀಶ್ ಅವರ ಅಗಲಿಕೆ ನನಗೆ ಬಹಳ ನೋವುಂಟು ಮಾಡಿದೆ. ಕಲಾವಿದರಾಗಿ ಅಷ್ಟೇ ಅಲ್ಲದೆ; ನಿರ್ಮಾಪಕರಾಗಿ, ನಿರ್ದೇಶಕರಾಗಿ ಕನ್ನಡ ಚಿತ್ರರಂಗಕ್ಕೆ ಅವರು ಸಲ್ಲಿಸಿರುವ ಅನುಪಮ ಸೇವೆ ಆವಿಸ್ಮರಣೀಯ.

ವರನಟ ಡಾ||ರಾಜ್‌ಕುಮಾರ್‌, ಡಾ||ವಿಷ್ಣುವರ್ಧನ್‌, ಶ್ರೀ ಅಂಬರೀಶ್‌ರಂಥ ದಿಗ್ಗಜರ ಜತೆ ನಟಿಸಿದ್ದ ಅವರು, ತಮ್ಮ ಬಹುಮುಖ… pic.twitter.com/vokgG2wH1e

— ಹೆಚ್.ಡಿ.ಕುಮಾರಸ್ವಾಮಿ | H.D.Kumaraswamy (@hd_kumaraswamy) April 16, 2024

BJP state President and Shikaripura MLA BY Vijayendra and former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai too expressed their sorrow.

Tamil Superstar Rajinikanth consoled the death of Dwarakish. He wrote: “The demise of my long time dear friend Dwarakesh is very painful to me..starting his career as a comedian, he raised himself up to being a big producer and director.. fond memories come to my mind..my heartfelt condolences to his family and dear ones.”

The demise of my long time dear friend Dwarakesh is very painful to me..starting his career as a comedian, he raised himself up to being a big producer and director.. fond memories come to my mind..my heartfelt condolences to his family and dear ones..

— Rajinikanth (@rajinikanth) April 16, 2024

(With PTI inputs.)

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