Mandeep Roy

Mandeep Roy (13 April 1949 – 29 January 2023) was an Indian actor known for his work in Kannada cinema. After beginning his career on stage in Marathi theatre, he transitioned into film acting with the Kannada film, Minchina Ota. He is noted for his frequent collaboration with actor and filmmaker Shankar Nag. Born as Maanu Ulpe, he renamed himself as Mandeep Roy owing to "his fascination for trendy names".

Known for playing comedic roles, Roy was noted for his performances in Aakasmika (1993), Kurigalu Saar Kurigalu (2001), Amrithadhare (2005), Aaptha Rakshaka (2010) and ...Re (2016). He appeared in more than 500 Kannada films. Additionally, he also appeared in a handful Tamil and Malayalam films, and one television serial in Marathi.

Early life Roy was born on 13 April 1949 in Bombay (now Mumbai) into a Konkani-speaking family. However, his parents hailed from South Canara (today Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka). They moved to Mumbai and settled in Talmakiwadi where Roy was born and grew up in. He completed his schooling at a boarding school near Thane. He also acted in a Kannada play during this time titled Poorva Janmada Preethi directed by Venkata Rao Talegiri. Based on S. L. Bhyrappa's novel Naayi Neralu, the play explored themes such as reincarnation, and had Roy playing an elderly character. The play was later adapted into the film, Janma Janmada Anubandha (1980) by Shankar Nag, who reasoned that Roy not play the role considering it was too early in the latter's film career. The role was played by K. S. Ashwath. His final appearance came in Made in Bengaluru (2022).

Roy first suffered a cardiac arrest in December 2022 and was admitted to a hospital in Bengaluru. He was receiving treatment, when he suffered another attack on the early hours of 29 January 2023. He died from it, aged 73.

Filmography

Year Film Role Notes 1980 Minchina Ota Thimmaiah 1981 Devara Aata Geetha Hanumantha 1982 Baadada Hoo 1983 Benkiya Bale Hosa Theerpu Mootayya 1984 Makkaliralavva Mane Thumba 1985 Bidugadeya Bedi Hendthi Beku Hendthi Basava 1986 Nannavaru 1987 Digvijaya Constable Ranga Anthima Ghatta 1988 Elu Suttina Kote 1989 Gajapathi Garvabhanga Manmatha Raja Thimmanna Yuga Purusha Dr Dayal 1990 Mathsara Dilip Chenji Aasegobba Meesegobba Ashwamedha "Sautu" Michael Madana Kama Rajan Office colleague Tamil film; uncredited 1991 Bhairavi Golmaal Part 2 Motu Mal 1992 Maavanige Takka Aliya Nair Agni Panjara Bombat Hendthi Bharjari Gandu 1993 Aathanka Vishwanath Aakasmika Srikanth Kumkuma Bhagya Brahma 1994 Apoorva Samsara 1995 Bal Nan Maga 1996 Aayudha 1997 Agni IPS 1998 Arjun Abhimanyu King Preethsod Thappa 1999 Rambhe Urvashi Menake Chandramukhi Pranasakhi 2000 Nan Hendthi Chennagidale Raja Deepavali 2001 Aunty Preethse Chitte Vaalee Detective Uncredited Kurigalu Saar Kurigalu Seetapathi 2002 Nagarahavu Aathma 2003 Pakka Chukka Cook Kushee 2004 Avale Nanna Gelathi 2005 Ayya Thunta Seth Ghanshyam Das 2006 Hatavadi 2007 Sixer Professor Ganesha 2008 Beladingalagi Baa 2009 Taxi No-1 2010 Aptharakshaka 2011 Rangappa Hogbitna Physician 2012 Alemari Building contractor 2013 Paraari Victory Physician 2014 Amanusha 2015 Ond Chance Kodi Ranna Buguri Physician 1st Rank Raju Principal of college Care of Footpath 2 Angry Customer at Petrol Pump Kannada-Hindi bilingual film 2016 Maduveya Mamatheya Kareyole ...Re Physicist Kotigobba 2 Shopowner 2017 Pushpaka Vimana Raajakumara 2018 Sankashta Kara Ganapathi Ashok 2021 Auto Ramanna 2022 Trikona Annayya Made in Bengaluru 2023 Mandala: The UFO Incident Raju