Siddalingaiah

Siddalingaiah (15 December 1936 – 12 March 2015) was an Indian film director, scriptwriter and producer who worked mainly in the Kannada films. He was well known for his distinct film-making style, and the industry knew him as a master of social themes and rural subject matter. He was one of the most commercially successful directors in the Kannada industry. He began his film career in 1964 as a director with Mayor Muthanna. In a career that spanned 30 years, he directed over 20 films.

Seven of his best-known films starred matinee idol Rajkumar. His most popular works include Bangaarada Manushya, Bhootayyana Maga Ayyu, Nyayave Devaru, Biligiriya Banadalli, Doorada Betta and Bhoolokadalli Yamaraja. In 1993, he was awarded the Puttanna Kanagal Award for his contribution to the Kannada film industry as a director.

Family and early life

Siddalingaiah joined the film industry as both a floor and a spot boy for Navajyothi studios. He became an assistant for director Shanker Singh and later worked as junior actor and assistant as the protégé of B. Vittalacharya.

Siddalingaiah's elder son Murali was an actor in Tamil and Kannada films. Murali died on the morning of 8 September 2010 in Chennai due to a massive heart attack. His younger son S. D. Suresh is an actor, producer, co-director, musician and filmmaker. His grandson Atharvaa started his acting career in Baana Kaathadi in 2010. His second grandson Akash Murali has also started his acting career. His nephew Daniel Balaji was an actor in Tamil, Kannada, Telugu and Malayalam films. Balaji also died of a heart attack in Chennai on 29 March 2024.

Career

Siddalingaiah directed Mayor Muthanna in 1969 starring Rajkumar, Bharathi and Dwarakish in his film debut. He cast the same lead pair in Baalu Belagithu, Namma Samsara, Thayi Devaru and Bangaarada Manushya.

After Bangaarda Manushya, he worked with other actors including Vishnuvardhan, Ananth Nag, Lokesh and Srinivasa Murthy. He introduced his son Murali in the 1983 romantic drama Prema Parva. He also directed a Tamil film Puthir in 1986 with Murali as the lead actor. His last film, Prema Prema Prema, was released in 1999 after which he retired from directing.

Death

Siddalingaiah died on 12 March 2015 in Bangalore where he had been hospitalized for treatment of H1N1 influenza.

Filmography YearFilm titleCredited asNotesDirectorWriterProducer 1969 Mayor Muthanna 1970 Baalu Belagithu 1971 Namma Samsara Thayi Devaru Nyayave Devaru 1972 Bangaarada Manushya 1973 Doorada Betta 1974 Bhootayyana Maga Ayyu 1977 Hemavathi 1979 Bhoolokadalli Yamaraja 1980 Narada Vijaya Biligiriya Banadalli 1981 Naari Swargakke Daari Koodi Balidare Swarga Sukha 1982 Parajitha 1983 Prema Parva 1985 Ajeya 1986 Puthir Tamil film 1988 Sambhavami Yuge Yuge 1990 Baare Nanna Muddina Rani 1992 Baa Nanna Preethisu 1994 Bhootayi Makkalu 1999 Prema Prema Prema