One of the veteran directors of Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam language movies who directed superstars like NT Rama Rao, Dr Vishnuvardhana, Shoban Babu, Krishna, Rajanikanth, Chiranjeevi, Shoban Babu and many others breathed his last on Friday night. The 1936 born KSR Doss is well known to Kannada audience and cinema industry.

Doss beginning as booking clerk took up editing as his first choice and went to Chennai in 1960’s to work under Bhava Narayan. He went on to work for nearly five decades in the cinema industry.

Doss made a beginning as debut director from ‘Bangaradha Gudi’. In Telugu Doss made debut in 1966 from ‘Loguttu Perumallakeruka’. ‘Kalla Kulla starring Dr Vishnuvardhana and Dwarakish gave him rich recognition and billed as the box office director. Snehithara Savaar, Sahodharara Savaal, Karmika Kallanalla, Kiladi Kittu, Thirugu Baana, Kaidhi, Ondagi Baalu are his popular films.

In 2007 August KSR Doss invested Kannada film ‘Hetthare Hennane Herabeku’ in Sukku Arts and that was a disaster for him. AR Raju who received the prime award with Doss in 2008-2009 from Karnataka government remembers Doss. He was very close to my family and starting of a banner since 1977. He convinced Rajanikanth for the film in Kannada with Dr Vishnuvardhana. It became very popular ‘Sahodarara Svaal’. In Vijaya Vikram, Simha Jodi he was guide and director. He lost his earnings from Kannada film ‘Hettare Hennanne Herabeku’.

Doss was operated upon three decades ago in his heart. The same problem repeated for him eight years remembers AR Raju. I have lost a good friend who was guiding force in the yesteryears.

Doss was living with his wife, son Sukumar, sister and her husband. The cremation of veteran director is taking place on Saturday evening.

KSR Doss received SR Puttanna Kanagal award for the year 2008-2009 was laced with controversy in HR Bharagava committee announcement. At the media meet Doss name was announced and media questioning it made Bhargava and government official to change the name to Dr Girish Karnad. That had bought some unhappiness to Doss. Ultimately government decided on the name of Doss and presented Rs.2 lakh worth SR Puttanna Kanagal award.

KFCC, Kannada film directors Association, artists and technicians who worked under Doss remembers him and expressed grief.