The lion was not roaring from last few years. Today it silenced completely at the age of 72 years.

Chennapatna Ramaswamy Shastri became CR Simha in the later years was suffering from acute problem in health for veteran actor, government servant of Karnataka has put him on bed. Born on 16th June 1942 he was multi talented acted in over 150 films in Kannada, Simha was honored by Sangeetha Natak Academy of India in 2003.

A stormy petrel known for straightforward approach CR Simha came from stage background. On this basis only he got a job in Dance and Drama division. He turned actor and director on stage, cinema and Television in his career spanning four decades.

He made debut from`Sankalpa`, films like Anurupa, Chitegu Chinthe, Simhasana, Bara, Sukha Samsarakke Hanneradu Soothragalu, Indina Ramayana, Ramapurada Ravana, Rayaru Bandaru Mavana Manege, Nee Thanda Kanike, Hani Hani, Veera, Chickmagalur Chickkamallige, Swatantrapalya, Savari, Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna, Aidondla Idu are his popular films. He was a dubbing artist also in his career. He has Directed 5 films `KAAKANA KOTE, SHIKAAR...I, SIMHASANA, ASHVAMEDHA and ANGAILI APSARE

CR Simha was known for fantastic dialogue delivery, comedy roles and on stage he was always a terror. The role of ‘Kuvempu’ he did in over 100 shows on stage brought him excellent name. He was a columnist of Vijayakarnatka newspaper for a long time. Who can forget his `Tuglaq`play enacted several times.

CR Simha son Rithwik Simha directed `Rasharishi Kuvempu` and that also got best film award at state level.

Who can forget his eating Tomatoe in `Bara` – a handful of tomato with drop of juice in his hand was something natural that no one can forget even today.

CR Simha was affected with cancer and was admitted to Sevakshetra Hospital in Banashankeri.

We give one example of his straightforward nature – When the 2007-2008 Karnataka State award committee was appointed CR Simha was chairman of the committee, He convened his first meet and resigned on that day shocking everyone. That is because in one of the films of that year `Mathad Mathad Mallige`CR Simha acted in a small role.

By dear friends he told and said it is impossible to work because the film he acted is part of the contest. Later Kesari Haravu took charge of the award panel.

72 years CR Simha a student of National College Basavanagudi started theatre group `Nataranga` and acted in successful plays like Bahaddur Ganda, Manavemba Markata, Kaakanakote, Tuglaq, Taledanda etc. Simha also acted in and directed straight translations of Shakespeare`s `MIDSUMMER NIGHT`s Dream and OTHELLO. This was the first time Shakespeare was attempted in Kannada in Karnataka. Along with being performed all over Karnataka, these plays were also performed in Delhi, Bombay, Madras & Calcutta etc.