Veteran Kannada Actor Dwarakish Dies at 81

Veteran actor Dwarakish is no more. The Sandalwood legend, reportedly, passed away earlier today (April 16) after suffering a cardiac arrest. He was 81.He enjoyed a dedicated fan following because of his unique brand of comedy and impeccable timing. 

Sandalwood Legend Dwarakish No More

Dwarakish, who was an integral part of the Kannada film industry, died on April 16 after a cardiac arrest. The 81-year-old’s death marks the end of an era. Dwarakish, who was born in 1942, grew up in Mysore and started an automotive spare parts business with his brother after completing his education. 

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He, however, eventually decided to pursue his passion for acting. He made his big screen debut with the 1964 release ‘Veera Sankalpa’. He then consolidated his standing in the industry with his work in ‘Maduve Madi Nodu’, ‘Satya Harishchandra’, and ‘Sri Kanyaka Parameshwari Kathe’.  His lively brand of comedy helped him emerge as a successor to Balakrishna and Narasimharaju. 

Dwarakish Was a Successful Producer

Dwarakish, however, was not content with being an actor alone. He eventually decided to try his hand at direction and film production. ‘Mayor Muthanna’ is widely considered to be his finest film as a producer as it saw him collaborate with Dr Rajkumar after a few failed attempts. The film emerged as a massive success and gave viewers a fresh take on urban and rural lifestyles. It also marked Siddalingaiah’s debut as a filmmaker. He later went on to direct classics such as ‘Thayi Devaru and ‘Ajeya’

Dwarakish also used his short stature to his advantage. He featured in films such as ‘Kulla Agent 007′ and ‘Agent Kulla’, which were written with him in mind. His credits as a producer include ‘Guru Shishyaru’, ‘Apthamitra’, ‘Charulatha’, ‘Amma I Love You’, ‘Chowka’, and ‘Ayushman Bhava’. He also wielded the microphone for films such as ‘Nee Bareda Kadambari’ and ‘Nee Thanda Kanike’. 

Dwarakish’s demise is a big loss for the industry.