Sadananda Sagar, better known by his stage name Vajramuni, was an Indian actor who appeared in Kannada films. He portrayed negative characters during most of his career and was considered one of Kannada cinema's finest actors. Over his career, he came to be known for his "thundering voice and sterling performance[s]" that earned him the epithets, Nata Bhairava and Nata Bhayankara.
Singanalluru Puttaswamaiah Muthuraj, better known by his stage name Dr. Rajkumar, was an Indian actor and singer who worked in Kannada cinema. Through his over five-decade long career of over 200 films, he was regarded one of the most pivotal and influential figures of the Kannada film industry. His films were praised for acting as a bridge between the popular and art films because of the theme of the story and their treatment. He debuted as a child actor in the 1942 Kannada film Bhakta Prahlada. His first role as an adult came in Sri Srinivasa Kalyana (1952) and as a lead, two years later, in Bedara Kannappa, which gave him stardom. He debuted as a singer with the track Om Namaha Shivaya from the 1956 film Ohileshwara. In 1960, he made his debut as a producer by producing Ranadheera Kanteerava. According to Ashish Rajadhyaksha and Paul Willemen in the book Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema, Ranadheera Kanteerava was the first "big hit" in Kannada cinema. In a film career spanning fifty years, Rajkumar received eleven Karnataka State Film Awards, including nine Best Actor and two Best Singer awards, eight Filmfare Awards South, and one National Film Award. Along with Vishnuvardhan and Ambareesh, he is counted in Kannada cinema's "triumvirate" as its most celebrated actor.
H. S. Phani Ramachandra is a Kannada film and television director. He is known for directing such classic Kannada comedy films as Ganeshana Maduve and Gauri Ganesha and the TV serial Danda Pindagalu. His films mainly portray middle class Karnataka society in a comic light.
Advani Lakshmi Devi is a retired Indian actress known for her work in Kannada cinema. She played a variety of roles as heroine and a supporting actress in Kannada movies for over three decades. Her roles in films like Gandhada Gudi (1973) and Sri Srinivasa Kalyana (1974) where she played mother to the legendary Rajkumar made her famous.
Vaishali Kasaravalli was a noted Kannada actress, television serial director, and costume designer.
Chandrashekar, known by his stage name Sihi Kahi Chandru, which literally means "sweet and bitter" Chandru, is an Indian Kannada film and television actor. Chandru has acted in over 500+ films and many TV soaps.
Parvathamma Rajkumar was an Indian film producer and distributor. She was the wife and cousin of veteran Kannada actor Dr. Rajkumar. She produced successful films featuring him and their sons Shiva Rajkumar, Puneeth Rajkumar and Raghavendra Rajkumar under the production house named "Poornima Enterprises". Actresses who found fame in her productions include Malashri, Prema, Rakshita, Sudha Rani and Ramya. She was awarded a doctorate by Bangalore University.
Mysore Srinivas, known by his stage name Thoogudeepa Srinivas was an Indian actor who appeared in Kannada films and is remembered for his portrayal of negative-shaded characters. He is the father of actor, Darshan and film director Dinakar.
Channapatna Ramaswami Simha, better known as C. R. Simha, was an Indian actor, director, dramatist and playwright. He was best known for his work in Kannada films and for his work in stage shows. Starting his career in Prabhat Kalavidaru, a theatre group based in Bengaluru he acted in numerous Kannada plays which reached the cult status. He started his own theatre group called "Nataranga" in 1972 and directed many successful plays such as Kakana Kote, Thughlaq and Sankranthi.
B. C. Gowrishankar was an Indian cinematographer and an occasional film director and screenwriter who worked primarily in Kannada cinema. He was known for his unorthodox style as a cinematographer and was recognised for his work in both art and commercial films. Gowrishankar won six Karnataka State Film Awards during his career as a cinematographer. In 1988 he directed the fairly successful Elu Suttina Kote with Ambareesh, Gautami and a young Ramesh Aravind.
Saaku Magalu is a 1963 Kannada language romantic drama film directed and produced by B. R. Panthulu and starring Rajkumar and Sowcar Janaki. The film marked the entry of acclaimed actress Kalpana, who went on to become one of the most sought-after actresses in Kannada cinema.
Mysore Srikantayya Umesh, popularly known as M. S. Umesh or simply Umesh, is an Indian Kannada cinema actor who has a career spanning over six decades. After having featured in several stage shows as an actor in his childhood, he was hired for the lead character in the film Makkala Rajya (1960). Since then, he has acted in over 350 feature films. Umesh is renowned for his unique dialogue delivery, facial expressions and comedy timing.
Sundar Krishna Urs (1941–1993) was an Indian film producer and actor, in the Kannada film industry, as well as in many South Indian language films known for his negative roles. He has also worked as a dubbing artist providing voices to many actors. Some of the notable films of Sundar Krishna Urs as an actor include Sangya Balya (1992), Hrudaya Haadithu (1991), Hendthighelbedi (1989), Antha (1981).
Mysore Lokesh was an Indian actor in the Kannada film industry. His films include Bandhana (1984), Gajapathi Garvabhanga (1989), S. P. Sangliyana Part 2 (1990), Mathe Haditu Kogile (1990). He did comedic and villainous roles in most films.
Dingri Nagaraj is an Indian actor who works primarily in Kannada cinema, stage and television. He is known for his portrayal of comedic characters. He received praise for his roles in films such as Solillada Saradara (1992), Dore (1995) and Bangarada Kalasha (1995). He has appeared in a total of more than 600 Kannada-language films, and is a recipient of awards such as the Kempegowda Award and Karnataka Nataka Academy Award. He has served as president of the Kannada Supporting Artists Association.
Balaraj is an Indian actor in the Kannada film industry. He has appeared in Anand (1986), Ratha Sapthami (1986), Shiva Mecchida Kannappa (1988) and Samyuktha (1988).
Sudheer was an Indian actor and politician known for his work in Kannada cinema. His noted performances came in films such as Chalagara (1981), Preethi Vathsalya (1984), Lorry Driver (1987), Bandha Muktha (1987), Jana Nayaka (1988), Mathru Vathsalya (1988), Looti Gang (1994) and Lady Commissioner (1997).
Balasubramaniam (1937–1990), know by his screen name Dinesh, was an Indian actor known for his work in Kannada cinema. Notably, he acted in Bhootayyana Maga Ayyu (1974), Golmaal Radhakrishna (1990), S. P. Sangliyana Part 2 (1990) and Seetharamu (1979).
Raja Shankar or Rajashankar was an Indian actor in Kannada cinema. His films include Bhakta Kumbara (1974), Sampathige Saval (1974) and Sri Srinivasa Kalyana (1974). He also co-produced the 1974 Kannada movie Bangaarada Panjara starring Dr. Rajkumar and the 1976 Kannada movie Vijaya Vani.
