Dwarakish

"Dwarakesh" redirects here. For the visually impaired Indian army officer, see Lt Col Dwarakesh.

Dwarakish
Dwarakish in 1994 Kannada film Kiladigalu
Born	Bungle Shama Rao Dwarakanath [1] (1942-08-19)19 August 1942 [2] Hunsur, Mysore, Kingdom of Mysore, India
Died	16 April 2024(2024-04-16) (aged 81) Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Occupation(s)	Actor, director, producer, screenwriter
Years active	1963–2024
Spouses	Ambuja ​ (died 2021)​ [3] Shailaja ​ (m. 1993)​
Children	6 including Giri [4]

Bungle Shama Rao Dwarakanath (19 August 1942 – 16 April 2024), known by his stage name Dwarakish ( /ˈdwɑːrkɪʃ/ DWAR-kish), ^{[5] [6]} was an Indian actor, comedian and filmmaker who predominantly worked in Kannada cinema in addition to few Tamil, Telugu and Hindi films. Starting his career as a supporting actor in Veera Sankalpa (1964) and co-producer for the film Mamatheya Madilu in 1966, Dwarakish went on to work over five decades in cinema. He debuted as a director with the film Nee Bareda Kadambari (1985).

Fondly remembered as "Karnatakada Kulla" (lit. 'Dwarf of Karnataka'), Dwarakish produced over 50 films under his home production called "Dwarakish Chitra". Mayor Muthanna (1969) was the first film to be produced under his banner. He is referred to be the "First showman of Kannada cinema" for his daring and lavish experiments and his films were known for grand sets, songs and exotic locations. ^[7]

Early life

Dwarakish was born on 19 August 1942. He grew up in Ittigegud, Mysore. ^[8] He received his primary education in Sharada Vilas and Banumaiah's school, and he graduated from CPC Polytechnic with a Diploma in Automobile Engineering. ^[9] After completing his education, Dwarakish and his brother started an automotive spare-parts business called "Bharath Auto Spares" in Gandhi Square, Mysore. ^[9] He was strongly attracted to acting and often asked his maternal uncle, a famous cinema director Hunusur Krishnamurthy, to give him a chance to act in movies. In 1963, he decided to quit business and start acting in movies. ^[9] He was rechristened as Dwarakish by director C. V. Shivashankar. ^{[10] [11]}

Film career

Dwarkish started his film journey by doing a small role, that of a prince in the film "Veera Sankalpa" directed by his uncle Hunasur Krishnamoorty. Later he did small roles in Maduve Madi Nodu and Satya Harischandra films. Then in 1966, Dwarakish co-produced the movie Mamatheya Bandhana with two others under the banner of Thunga Pictures. ^[2] In 1969, his first independent production Mayor Muthanna starring Dr. Rajkumar and Bharathi in the lead roles was a box office success. ^[12] After Mayor Muthanna, Dwarakish gave a series of box office successes to Kannada cinema, one after the other for the next two decades. ^[13]

Director

From the year 1985, Dwarakish started directing movies; his first movie as a director was Nee Bareda Kadambari . He went on to direct movies for other producers. Behind the camera, Dwarakish was successful. ^[2] As a director, he created movies such as Dance Raja Dance , Nee Bareda Kadambari , Shruthi, Shruthi Haakidha Hejje, Rayaru Bandaru Mavana Manege and Kilaadigalu.^{[ citation needed ]}

Dwarakish Chitra faced problems after the failure of some movies. With huge losses from box office failures, Dwarakish was written off by his own colleagues and the entire film industry. Despite failures, Dwarakish did not despair. He continued to make movies introducing new faces to Kannada cinema. ^[2]

As a producer, he introduced many new people to the cinema. Not only actors and actresses—he gave opportunities to new directors and other technicians. They all consider him to be their "Godfather". The support of these people, and his unwavering dedication to cinema, gave Dwarakish his long-awaited moment of success. Dwarakish produced Apthamitra in the year 2004. Apthamitra was a magnificent success. ^[12]

Actor

Dwarakish, Vishnuvardhan in 1994 Kannada film Kiladigalu

Dwarakish was the first Kannada producer to introduce Kishore Kumar to the Kannada film Industry, and the song Aadu Aata Aadu became extremely popular. ^[2]

Death

Dwarakish died from cardiac arrest in Bengaluru, on 16 April 2024, at the age of 81. ^{[14] [15]}

Records and awards

Produced First Kannada movie to be shot outside India. Apthamitra created records in Kannada Cinema. It was the first Kannada movie to celebrate screening for one year in two theatres, at Santosh in Bangalore and at Ranajith in Mysore and was the first Kannada movie to successfully complete one year of screening with four shows daily. ^[2]

Dwarakish received an NTR Award. ^[16]

Filmography

As director and producer

Year	Film	Credited as		Language	Notes
		Director	Producer
1966	Mamatheya Bandhana	N	Y	Kannada	Joint Producer
1969	Mayor Muthanna	N	Y		Producer; Remade as Chairman Chalamayya
1972	Kulla Agent 000	N	Y		Based on Danish movie Operation Love Birds
1973	Cowboy Kulla	N	Y
1977	Bhagyavantharu	N	Y		Remake - Dheerga Sumangali - Tamil
	Kittu Puttu	N	Y		Remake - Anubavi Raja Anubavi - Tamil
1978	Singaporenalli Raja Kulla	N	Y		First Kannada movie shot in Singapore
1979	Preethi Madu Thamashe Nodu	N	Y		Remake - Kadhalikka Neramillai - Tamil
1980	Kulla Kulli	N	Y
	Manku Thimma	N	Y		Remake - Sattekalapu Satteya - Telugu
1981	Guru Shishyaru	N	Y		Remake - Paramanandayya Sishyula Katha - Telugu
	Mane Mane Kathe	N	Y		Remake - Ramayanamlo Pidakala Veta - Telugu
1982	Pedda Gedda	N	Y
	Adrushtavantha	N	Y		Remake - Evariki Vaare Yamuna Theere - Telugu
	Nyaya Ellide	N	Y		Remake - Sattam Oru Iruttarai - Tamil
1983	Gedda Maga	N	Y		Remake - Moondru Mugam - Tamil
	Ananda Bhairavi	N	Y
	Adutha Varisu	N	Y	Tamil	Remake - Raja Jani - Hindi
1984	Prachanda Kulla	N	Y	Kannada
	Police Papanna	N	Y
	Indina Ramayana	N	Y		Remake - Oorukku Upadesam - Tamil
	Gangvaa	N	Y	Hindi	Remake - Malaiyoor Mambattiyan - Tamil
	Madhuve Madu Tamashe Nodu	N	Y	Kannada	Remake - Dowry Kalyanam - Tamil
1985	Nee Bareda Kadambari	Y	Y		Remake - Pyaar Jhukta Nahin - Hindi
	Nee Thanda Kanike	Y	Y		Remake - Arthur - English
	Brahma Gantu	N	Y		Remake - Gopurangal Saivathillai - Tamil
1986	Naan Adimai Illai	Y	Y	Tamil	Remake - Pyaar Jhukta Nahin - Hindi
	Africadalli Sheela	Y	Y	Kannada
1987	Kizhakku Africavil Sheela	Y	Y	Tamil	Remake - Africadalli Sheela - Kannada
	Sheela	N	Y	Hindi	Remake - Africadalli Sheela - Kannada
	Dance Raja Dance	Y	Y	Kannada
	Onde Goodina Hakkigalu	N	Y		Remake - Samsaram Adhu Minsaram - Tamil
	Ravana Rajya	N	Y		Remake - Ankush - Hindi
1988	Ganda Mane Makkalu	N	Y		Remake - Veedu Manaivi Makkal - Tamil
1989	Jai Karnataka	Y	Y		Remake - Mr. India - Hindi
	Krishna Nee Kunidaga	Y	Y
1990	Shruthi	Y	Y		Remake - Pudhu Vasantham - Tamil
1991	Gowri Kalyana	Y	Y		Remake - Thooral Ninnu Pochu - Tamil
1992	Hosa Kalla Hale Kulla	Y	Y
1993	Rayaru Bandaru Mavana Manege	Y	N		Remake - Chithram - Malayalam
1994	Rasika	Y	N		Remake - Senthamizh Paattu - Tamil
	Kiladigalu	Y	N
1995	Kidnap	Y	Y
	Giddu Dada	Y	N		Based on Victoria No. 203 - Hindi
1996	Hrudaya Kallaru	Y	Y
1997	Shruthi Hakida Hejje	Y	N
2001	Majnu	Y	Y		Remake - Love Today - Tamil
2004	Apthamitra	N	Y		Remake - Manichitrathazhu - Malayalam
2011	Vishnuvardhana	N	Y		Reported to be based on Handphone [17]
2012	Chaarulatha	N	Y	Kannada, Tamil	Remake - Thai horror film - Alone
2015	Aatagara	N	Y	Kannada	Based on Agatha Christie's mystery novel And Then There Were None
2017	Chowka	N	Y		Nominated for the Filmfare Award for Best Film – Kannada at the 65th Filmfare Awards South
2018	Amma I Love You	N	Y		Remake - Tamil - Pichaikkaran
2019	Aayushmanbhava	N	Y

As actor (Partial)

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1964	Veera Sankalpa
1965	Maduve Madi Nodu
	Satya Harishchandra
1966	Sri Kanyaka Parameshwari Kathe
1967	Sri Purandara Dasaru
	Belli Moda
	Dhana Pishachi
	Lagna Pathrike
1968	Bhagyada Bagilu
	Adda Dari
	Manku Dinne
	Bedi Bandavalu
	Gandhinagara
	Jedara Bale
1969	Mayor Muthanna
	Mallammana Pavaada
1970	Arishina Kumkuma
	Baalu Belagithu
1971	Sidila Mari
	Sri Krishna Rukmini Satyabhama
	Bhale Adrushtavo Adrushta
	Thayi Devaru
	Nyayave Devaru
	Baala Bandana
	Sothu Geddavalu
1972	Nanda Gokula
	Janma Rahasya
	Kranti Veera
	Bangaarada Manushya
	Kulla Agent 000
1973	CID 72
	Devaru Kotta Thangi
1974	Professor Huchuraya
	Mahadeshwara Pooja Phala
	Maga Mommaga
	Anna Attige
	Bhakta Kumbara
1975	Kalla Kulla
1976	Makkala Bhagya
	Devara Duddu
	Bahaddur Gandu
1977	Pavana Ganga
	Sose Tanda Soubhagya
	Kittu Puttu
	Dhanalakshmi
	Bhagyavantharu
	Galate Samsara
	Shrimanthana Magalu
1978	Singaporenalli Raja Kulla
	Bhale Huduga
	Maathu Tappada Maga
	Madhura Sangama
1979	Bengaluru Bootha
	Asadhya Aliya
	Naniruvude Ninagagi	John and Vincent (Double Role)	[18]
1980	Mane Mane Kathe
	Haddina Kannu
	Auto Raja
1981	Simhada Mari Sainya
	Kula Puthra
	Avala Hejje
	Guru Shishyaru
	Garjane
1982	Pedda Gedda
	Karmika Kallanalla
	Jimmy Gallu
	Prema Mathsara	Ganesha	[19]
1983	Geluvu Nannade	Krishnamurthy aka Kittu	[20]
1984	Prachanda Kulla
	Madhuve Madu Tamashe Nodu
	Indina Ramayana
1985	Balondu Uyyale
	Nee Bareda Kadambari
	Nee Thanda Kanike
1986	Africadalli Sheela
1987	Dance Raja Dance
1993	Hendthi Helidare Kelabeku
	Server Somanna
	Muddina Maava
	Rayaru Bandaru Mavana Manege
1994	Mandyada Gandu
	Kiladigalu
	Rasika
2001	Yarige Beda Duddu
	Sri Manjunatha
2003	Khushi
2004	Shwetha Naagara
	Apthamitra
2006	Jothe Jotheyali
2009	Anjadiru
2011	Vishnuvardhana
2014	Maanikya
2015	Aatagara
2017	Chowka
2023	Mayanagari

References

1. "Dwarakish take a trip down memory lane". News18. 11 August 2011. Archived from the original on 11 October 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
2. Khajane, Muralidhara (17 August 2017). "Packing in the power". The Hindu . Archived from the original on 10 March 2018. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
3. "Dwarakish: ಪತ್ನಿ ಅಂಬುಜಾಕ್ಷಿ ಸಾವನ್ನಪ್ಪಿದ್ದ ದಿನದಂದೇ ಇಹಲೋಕ ತ್ಯಜಿಸಿದ ದ್ವಾರಕೀಶ್! ಅಪ್ಪನ ಕೊನೆ ಕ್ಷಣಗಳ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಮಗನ ಮಾತು". News18 Kannada. Archived from the original on 26 April 2024. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
4. "Dwarakish Wife: 51 ನೇ ವಯಸ್ಸಿಗೆ 2 ನೇ ಮದುವೆಯಾಗಿದ್ದ ನಟ ದ್ವಾರಕೀಶ್! ಇವರ ಮೊದಲ ಪತ್ನಿ, ಐವರು ಮಕ್ಕಳನ್ನು ನೋಡಿದ್ದೀರಾ?". ZeeNews. Archived from the original on 26 April 2024. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
5. Lokesh, Vinay (16 April 2024). "Dwarakish Death News: Veteran actor Dwarakish passes away". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 16 April 2024. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
6. "Senior Actor Dwarakish Condoles Death Of C K Jaffer Sharief & Rebel Star Ambareesh". YouTube . 25 November 2018. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
7. "Dwarakish, the first showman of Kannada cinema". Deccan Herald. 3 September 2022. Archived from the original on 21 May 2024. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
8. Author (16 April 2024). "Legendary film actor Dwarakish no more". Star of Mysore. Archived from the original on 28 June 2024. Retrieved 28 June 2024.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
9. Staff Correspondent (11 August 2011). "Passion helped him taste success in cinema world". The Hindu . Archived from the original on 26 April 2024. Retrieved 14 October 2017.{{cite news}}: |author= has generic name (help)
10. Sharadhaa, A (16 April 2024). "Veteran Kannada actor, producer & director Dwarakish passes away". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
11. "Towering feats of 'Karnatakada Kulla': Industry mourns Dwarakish's death". Deccan Herald. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
12. "'Aptha Mithra' has saved my life: Dwarakesh". Sify . Archived from the original on 14 October 2017. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
13. "Kannadigas didn't recognize me - Dwarakish". Mid Day. 10 July 1983. Archived from the original on 11 October 2020. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
14. The Hindu Bureau (16 April 2024). "Legendary Kannada actor-producer Dwarakish no more". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 16 April 2024. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
15. "Sandalwood Veteran Dwarkish Passes Away at 81". Archived from the original on 26 April 2024. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
16. "Land for Telugu institute: Somanna". The New Indian Express. 5 June 2012. Archived from the original on 19 August 2022. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
17. "Bypassing copycats, Sandalwood style - Bangalore Mirror -". Bangaloremirror.com. Archived from the original on 9 October 2016. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
18. "Naaniruvude Ninagaagi (1979) Kannada movie: Cast & Crew". chiloka.com. Archived from the original on 12 April 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
19. "Prema Mathsara (1982) Kannada movie: Cast & Crew". chiloka.com. Archived from the original on 9 January 2024. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
20. "Geluvu Nannade (1983) Kannada movie: Cast & Crew". chiloka.com. Archived from the original on 21 August 2023. Retrieved 21 August 2023.

External links

• Official site
• Sify interview
• Dwarakish at IMDb