Legendary filmmaker Dwarakish passes away

The Kannada film industry is mourning the death of Bungle Shama Rao Dwarakanath, affectionately known as Dwarakish. The legendary filmmaker, who had been battling prolonged age-related illness, is reported to have succumbed to a heart attack on April 16. He was 81.

Born on August 19, 1942, in Ittigegud, Mysuru, Dwarakish's journey from humble beginnings to the pinnacle of cinema was marked by determination and talent. He had his primary education at Sharada Vilas and Banumaiah’s school and later earned a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering from CPC Polytechnic.

Following his education, Dwarakish and his brother embarked on an entrepreneurial venture, founding Bharath Auto Spares in Gandhi Square, Mysore. Yet, his true passion lay in acting, a flame that was ignited by his uncle, renowned cinema director Hunusur Krishnamurthy. In 1963, he made the courageous decision to leave the business behind and pursue a career in cinema.

Bestowed with the name Dwarakish by Kannada filmmaker CV Shivashankar, he made significant contributions to the industry, notably as the first producer to introduce Kishore Kumar to Kannada cinema. This brought to life the iconic and chart-topping song 'Aadu Aata Aadu'.

Initially, he ventured into production with the movie Mamatheya Bandhana, but it was through Mayor Muthanna that Dwarakish truly established himself as a full-fledged producer. Under his banner, Dwarakish produced over 50 films, each contributing to the vibrant collections of Kannada cinema.

He was also bestowed with an honorary doctorate and was honored by the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce for his significant contributions to the Kannada film industry when he turned 80.

Dwarakish's impact on Kannada cinema was unparalleled and marked by numerous milestones. He pioneered international collaborations in filmmaking, with groundbreaking works.

Dwarakish holds the distinction of being the first person from Kannada industry to shoot the film Singapuradalli Rajakulla outside India, which was released in 1978. His other popular projects include is Africadalli Sheela, Dance Raja Dance and Nee Bareda Kadambati.

Collaborating with luminaries such as Dr. Rajkumar in Mayor Muthanna, Bhagyavanta, and Vishnuvardhan in over a dozen of films including the popular, Aptha Mitra. Dwarakish crafted films that delved into diverse themes, from student-teacher relationships to reimagining the Ramayana in contemporary contexts, and exploring the intricacies of familial bonds. He has collaborated with stars like Ambareesh, Rajnikanth, Chiranjeevi, Shashi Kumar, Vinod Raj, Darshan, and Sudeep. He was also the first to bring noted singer Kumar Sanu to Kannada film industry.

As an actor, Dwarakish adorned various roles with finesse, earning acclaim for his portrayal of characters like Agent 000. His versatility shone through in his last film directed by Ayushman Bhava, showcasing his prowess in comedic roles alongside stalwarts like Narasimharaju, and Balakrishna

He was also bestowed with an honorary doctorate and was honored by the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce for his significant contributions to the Kannada film industry when he turned 80. He leaves behind a lasting legacy, celebrated by his peers and fans alike.

Several Sandalwood celebrities had taken to social media to express their grief over his demise. His mortal remains will be kept for public viewing at his residence and tomorrow at Ravindra Kalakshetra. He is expected to be laid to rest tomorrow.