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, director and producer 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).

Dwarakish
Dwarakish in 1994 Kannada film Kiladigalu
Born
Bungle Shama Rao Dwarakanath[1]

(1942-08-19)19 August 1942[2]
Died16 April 2024(2024-04-16) (aged 81)
Occupation(s)Actor, director, producer, screenwriter
Years active1963–2024
Spouses
  • Ambuja
    (died 2021)
    [3]
  • Shailaja
    (m. 1993)
Children6[4]

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

edit

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

edit

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

edit

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

edit
 
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

edit

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

Records and awards

edit

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

edit

As director and producer

edit
Year Film Credited as Language Notes
Director Producer
1966 Mamatheya Bandhana  N  Y Kannada Joint Producer
1969 Mayor Muthanna  N  Y Kannada Producer; Remade as Chairman Chalamayya
1972 Kulla Agent 000  N  Y Kannada Based on Danish movie Operation Love Birds
1973 Cowboy Kulla  N  Y Kannada
1977 Bhagyavantharu  N  Y Kannada Remake - Dheerga Sumangali - Tamil
1977 Kittu Puttu  N  Y Kannada Remake - Anubavi Raja Anubavi - Tamil
1978 Singaporenalli Raja Kulla  N  Y Kannada First Kannada movie shot in Singapore
1979 Preethi Madu Thamashe Nodu  N  Y Kannada Remake - Kadhalikka Neramillai - Tamil
1980 Kulla Kulli  N  Y Kannada
1980 Manku Thimma  N  Y Kannada Remake - Sattekalapu Satteya - Telugu
1981 Guru Shishyaru  N  Y Kannada Remake - Paramanandayya Sishyula Katha - Telugu
1981 Mane Mane Kathe  N  Y Kannada Remake - Ramayanamlo Pidakala Veta - Telugu
1982 Pedda Gedda  N  Y Kannada
1982 Adrushtavantha  N  Y Kannada Remake - Evariki Vaare Yamuna Theere - Telugu
1982 Nyaya Ellide  N  Y Kannada Remake - Sattam Oru Iruttarai - Tamil
1983 Gedda Maga  N  Y Kannada Remake - Moondru Mugam - Tamil
1983 Ananda Bhairavi  N  Y Kannada
1983 Adutha Varisu  N  Y Tamil Remake - Raja Jani - Hindi
1984 Prachanda Kulla  N  Y Kannada
1984 Police Papanna  N  Y Kannada
1984 Indina Ramayana  N  Y Kannada Remake - Oorukku Upadesam - Tamil
1984 Gangvaa  N  Y Hindi Remake - Malaiyoor Mambattiyan - Tamil
1985 Nee Bareda Kadambari  Y  Y Kannada Remake - Pyaar Jhukta Nahin - Hindi
1985 Nee Thanda Kanike  Y  Y Kannada Remake - Arthur - English
1985 Madhuve Madu Tamashe Nodu  N  Y Kannada Remake - Dowry Kalyanam - Tamil
1985 Brahma Gantu  N  Y Kannada Remake - Gopurangal Saivathillai - Tamil
1986 Naan Adimai Illai  Y  Y Tamil Remake - Pyaar Jhukta Nahin - Hindi
1986 Africadalli Sheela  Y  Y Kannada
1987 Kizhakku Africavil Sheela  Y  Y Tamil Remake - Africadalli Sheela - Kannada
1987 Sheela  N  Y Hindi Remake - Africadalli Sheela - Kannada
1987 Dance Raja Dance  Y  Y Kannada
1987 Onde Goodina Hakkigalu  N  Y Kannada Remake - Samsaram Adhu Minsaram - Tamil
1987 Ravana Rajya  N  Y Kannada Remake - Ankush - Hindi
1988 Ganda Mane Makkalu  N  Y Kannada Remake - Veedu Manaivi Makkal - Tamil
1989 Jai Karnataka  Y  Y Kannada Remake - Mr. India - Hindi
1989 Krishna Nee Kunidaga  Y  Y Kannada
1990 Shruthi  Y  Y Kannada Remake - Pudhu Vasantham - Tamil
1991 Gowri Kalyana  Y  Y Kannada Remake - Thooral Ninnu Pochu - Tamil
1992 Hosa Kalla Hale Kulla  Y  Y Kannada
1993 Rayaru Bandaru Mavana Manege  Y  N Kannada Remake - Chithram - Malayalam
1994 Rasika  Y  N Kannada Remake - Senthamizh Paattu - Tamil
1994 Kiladigalu  Y  N Kannada
1995 Kidnap  Y  Y Kannada
1995 Giddu Dada  Y  N Kannada Based on Victoria No. 203 - Hindi
1996 Hrudaya Kallaru  Y  Y Kannada
1997 Shruthi Hakida Hejje  Y  N Kannada
2001 Majnu  Y  Y Kannada Remake - Love Today - Tamil
2004 Apthamitra  N  Y Kannada Remake - Manichitrathazhu - Malayalam
2011 Vishnuvardhana  N  Y Kannada 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 Kannada Nominated for the Filmfare Award for Best Film – Kannada at the 65th Filmfare Awards South
2018 Amma I Love You  N  Y Kannada Remake - Tamil - Pichaikkaran
2019 Aayushmanbhava  N  Y Kannada

As actor (Partial)

edit

References

edit
  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. ^ a b c d e f 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. 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.
  8. ^ Author (16 April 2024). "Legendary film actor Dwarakish no more". Star of Mysore. Retrieved 28 June 2024. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  9. ^ a b c 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. ^ a b "'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. 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. 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.
edit