Dwarakish

Bungle Shama Rao Dwarakanath (19 August 1942 – 16 April 2024), known by his stage name Dwarakish , was an Indian actor, comedian and filmmaker who predominantly worked in Kannada cinema in addition to few Tamil and Hindi films. Starting his career as a supporting actor in Veera Sankalpa 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" , 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.

He appeared in more than 200 films starting 1962. In 1969, he founded Dwarakish Chitra, and produced more than 50 films, while also directing 25 films. In addition to Kannada, Dwarakish also worked on Tamil and Hindi films. Many films that he worked as a director and/or producer were remake films.

Early life Dwarakish was born on 19 August 1942. He grew up in Ittigegud, Mysore. He received his primary education in Sharada Vilas and Banumaiah's school, and he graduated from CPC Polytechnic with a Diploma in Automobile Engineering. After completing his education, Dwarakish and his brother started an automotive spare-parts business called "Bharath Auto Spares" in Gandhi Square, Mysore.

Film career

Actor Dwarkish started his film journey by doing a small role, that of a prince in the film Veera Sankalpa (1964) directed by his uncle Hunsur Krishnamurthy. Later he did small roles in Maduve Madi Nodu (1965) and Satya Harischandra (1965).

As an actor, he was known to play comedic roles, and his early films saw his frequently appear alongside T. N. Balakrishna and Narasimharaju. Dwarakish generally capitalised on his short stature to build his characters.

Producer In 1966, Dwarakish co-produced Mamatheya Bandhana with two others under the banner of Thunga Pictures.

Singaporenalli Raja Kulla (1978), which he produced and starred in, was the first Kannada film to be shot outside India. Dwarakish was known for his frequent collaborations with Vishnuvardhan both as actor and producer in films such as Kalla Kulla (1975), Kittu Puttu (1977), Guru Shishyaru and Apthamitra (2004). Other than Kannada, he produced two Tamil films, Adutha Varisu (1983) and Naan Adimai Illai (1986), both starring Rajinikanth and Sridevi. He produced two Hindi films including Gangvaa (1984). After a string of 19 commercial failures, he found success with Apthamitra. Ayushman Bhava was the last film he produced before his death in 2024.

Dwarakish was the first Kannada producer to introduce Kishore Kumar to the Kannada film industry via the film Kulla Agent 000, and the song "Aadu Aata Aadu" became popular.

Death Dwarakish died from cardiac arrest in Bengaluru, on 16 April 2024, at the age of 81.

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.

Filmography Acting roles Year Title Role Notes 1964 Veera Sankalpa 1966 Sri Kanyaka Parameshwari Kathe Mamatheya Bandhana Uttara Dakshina Peter 1973 CID 72 Devaru Kotta Thangi Doorada Betta Preethi Madu Thamashe Nodu Sundara Urvashi Neene Nanna Preyasi Adalu Badalu LTV Prasanna Aliya Devaru Vijay Vikram 1980 Usha Swayamvara Himself Cameo Manku Thimma Thimma Haddina Kannu Dose Damodara Auto Raja Raja's friend Point Parimala Vamana Nyaya Neethi Dharma Puttanna Kulla Kulli Krishna "Kulla" 1981 Mane Mane Kathe Tharle Thammayya Simhada Mari Sainya Himself Kula Puthra Gopi Avala Hejje Guru Shishyaru Shishya Nyaya Ellide Peter Shankar Sundar Adrushtavantha Mava Sose Saval Snehada Sankole Oorige Upakari Cameo appearance 1983 Geluvu Nannade Krishnamurthy aka Kittu Gedda Maga Chitragupta 1984 Prachanda Kulla Rama Police Papanna Papanna 1985 Balondu Uyyale Brahma Gantu 1986 Africadalli Sheela Dr. Ram Seth Madhuve Madu Tamashe Nodu Mohan 1988 Ganda Mane Makkalu 1992 Hosa Kalla Hale Kulla 1993 Hendthi Helidare Kelabeku Eeshwarayya Server Somanna Cameo appearance Muddina Maava Rayaru Bandaru Mavana Manege Shyam Aaha Brahmachari 1994 Mandyada Gandu Cameo appearance Kiladigalu Puttappa / Hari Dual role Rasika 1995 Kidnap Giddu Dada Thaliya Sowbhagya Hello Sister 1996 Balina Jyothi Hrudaya Kallaru 1997 Shruthi Hakida Hejje Enoondre 2000 Yare Nee Abhimani Gundlupete Gundanna 2001 Yarige Beda Duddu Sri Manjunatha Bhrungi Chitte Truck driver 2002 Boothayyana Makkalu 2003 Ananda Neenilde Nanu Illa Kane Chandru Fifty:Fifty Khushi Gadibidi Brothers Dreams 2004 Swetha Naagu Ashok Kumar Baithare Baithare Kanasina LokaApthamitra Mukunda Thali Kattuva Shubhavele 2006 Jothe Jotheyali Divya's father 2008 Premigagi Naa 2009 Anjadiru Loki Eshtu Nagthi Nagu Dubai Babu Doddanna Kalakar Film director Cheluvina Chilipili Ravana 2010 Bisile Karavali Hudugi 2011 Vishnuvardhana Colonel 2014 Maanikya Himself Special appearance in song "Mani Mani Maanikya" 2015 Aatagara 2017 Chowka Himself Special appearance in song "Alladsu Alladsu" 2023 Mayanagari Dwarakish

Directing, producing, and writing credits Year Title Director ProducerWriter Notes 1966 Mamatheya Bandhana Co-producer 1990 Shruthi 1991 Gowri Kalyana 1992 Hosa Kalla Hale Kulla 1993 Rayaru Bandaru Mavana Manege 1994 Rasika Kiladigalu 1995 Kidnap Giddu Dada 1996 Hrudaya Kallaru 1997 Shruthi Hakida Hejje 2001 Majnu 2004 Apthamitra Filmfare Award for Best Film – Kannada 2012 Chaarulatha Bi-lingual film (Kannada, Tamil) 2015 Aatagara