Dwarakish

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 and filmmaker 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).

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]

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]

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]

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.

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 actors, actresses, directors, and technicians into cinema. Whom all consider him to be their "Godfather". Dwarakish produced Apthamitra in the year 2004 which ended up as a massive success.^[12]

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]

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

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]

• Official site
• Sify interview
• Dwarakish at IMDb