Dwarakish
Indian actor, director and producer (1942–2024)
title: "Dwarakish" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1942-births", "2024-deaths", "male-actors-from-karnataka", "male-actors-in-kannada-cinema", "kannada-film-directors", "film-producers-from-karnataka", "people-from-mysore-district", "film-directors-from-karnataka", "20th-century-indian-male-actors", "21st-century-indian-male-actors", "kannada-film-producers", "tamil-film-producers", "indian-male-film-actors", "indian-male-comedians", "kannada-comedians", "recipients-of-the-rajyotsava-award-2006", "iifa-utsavam-winners"] description: "Indian actor, director and producer (1942–2024)" topic_path: "arts" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dwarakish" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary Indian actor, director and producer (1942–2024) ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox person"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Dwarakish |
| image | Dwarakish.jpg |
| caption | Dwarakish in 1994 Kannada film Kiladigalu |
| birth_name | Bungle Shama Rao Dwarakanath |
| birth_date | |
| birth_place | Hunsur, Mysore, Kingdom of Mysore, India |
| death_date | |
| death_place | Bengaluru, Karnataka, India |
| years_active | 1963–2024 |
| occupation | Actor, director, producer, screenwriter |
| spouses | |
| children | 6 including Giri |
| :: |
| name = Dwarakish | image = Dwarakish.jpg | imagesize = | caption = Dwarakish in 1994 Kannada film Kiladigalu | birth_name = Bungle Shama Rao Dwarakanath | birth_date = | birth_place = Hunsur, Mysore, Kingdom of Mysore, India | death_date = | death_place = Bengaluru, Karnataka, India | years_active = 1963–2024 | occupation = Actor, director, producer, screenwriter | spouses = | children = 6 including Giri | relatives = | website =
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, 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" (), 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.
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
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.
Director
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. 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.
As a producer, he introduced many new actors, actresses, directors, and technicians into cinema. Whom all consider him to be their "Godfather". The support of these people, along with his unwavering dedication to cinema, gave Dwarakish his long-awaited moment of success. Dwarakish produced Apthamitra in the year 2004 which ended up as a massive success.
Actor
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5a/Dwarakish,_Vishnuvardhan.jpg" caption="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.
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.
Dwarakish received an NTR Award.
Filmography
As director and producer
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As actor (Partial)
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References
References
- (11 August 2011). "Dwarakish take a trip down memory lane". News18.
- Khajane, Muralidhara. (17 August 2017). "Packing in the power". [[The Hindu]].
- "Dwarakish: ಪತ್ನಿ ಅಂಬುಜಾಕ್ಷಿ ಸಾವನ್ನಪ್ಪಿದ್ದ ದಿನದಂದೇ ಇಹಲೋಕ ತ್ಯಜಿಸಿದ ದ್ವಾರಕೀಶ್! ಅಪ್ಪನ ಕೊನೆ ಕ್ಷಣಗಳ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಮಗನ ಮಾತು". News18 Kannada.
- "Dwarakish Wife: 51 ನೇ ವಯಸ್ಸಿಗೆ 2 ನೇ ಮದುವೆಯಾಗಿದ್ದ ನಟ ದ್ವಾರಕೀಶ್! ಇವರ ಮೊದಲ ಪತ್ನಿ, ಐವರು ಮಕ್ಕಳನ್ನು ನೋಡಿದ್ದೀರಾ?". ZeeNews.
- Lokesh, Vinay. (16 April 2024). "Dwarakish Death News: Veteran actor Dwarakish passes away".
- (25 November 2018). "Senior Actor Dwarakish Condoles Death Of C K Jaffer Sharief & Rebel Star Ambareesh".
- (3 September 2022). "Dwarakish, the first showman of Kannada cinema".
- Author. (2024-04-16). "Legendary film actor Dwarakish no more".
- Staff Correspondent. (11 August 2011). "Passion helped him taste success in cinema world". [[The Hindu]].
- Sharadhaa, A. (16 April 2024). "Veteran Kannada actor, producer & director Dwarakish passes away".
- "Towering feats of 'Karnatakada Kulla': Industry mourns Dwarakish's death". Deccan Herald.
- (July 10, 1983). "Kannadigas didn't recognize me - Dwarakish". Mid Day.
- "'Aptha Mithra' has saved my life: Dwarakesh". [[Sify]].
- The Hindu Bureau. (16 April 2024). "Legendary Kannada actor-producer Dwarakish no more". The Hindu.
- "Sandalwood Veteran Dwarkish Passes Away at 81".
- (5 June 2012). "Land for Telugu institute: Somanna".
- "Bypassing copycats, Sandalwood style - Bangalore Mirror -".
- "Naaniruvude Ninagaagi (1979) Kannada movie: Cast & Crew".
- "Prema Mathsara (1982) Kannada movie: Cast & Crew".
- "Geluvu Nannade (1983) Kannada movie: Cast & Crew".
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