The big loss of the year 2018 on November 24 was Dr Ambarish, Kaliyuga Karna – he lived a royal life and departed like a king. The Kannada cinema industry has lost its torch bearer.

DR AMBARISH - Dr Ambarish the pillar of strength of Kannada filmdom, former union minister and legislator has passed away.  Dr Ambarish collapsed due to heart attack. He was under kidney transplant situation. Starting from Jaleela role in Kannada cinema ‘Nagarahavu’ the find of SR Puttanna Kanagal, Dr Ambarish he showed his strength and acted in over 200 films in his career. It is four and half decades of Ambarish Charishma that carried him good status. As a politician he was a winner always. At the union cabinet Dr Ambarish showed his extreme good qualities.

UNCLE LOKANATH ERA ENDS

On the last day of 2018 a stalwart, humble, simple and intelligent actor Lokanath CH passes away due to old age. He was not keeping well for one week and on his son arrival from foreign he recouped but destiny had something else in store. Lokanath was born in Cubbonpete in 1929. Basavanagudi was his favorite spot and all major developments in his life took place when he lived in Basavanagudi.

KASHIATH - In the beginning of the year Kashinath passed away -- One of the epoch making personalities of Kannada cinema Kashinath, actor, director, writer, and producer. He was affected with cancer decease.

KRISHNAKUMARI - Veteran actress of yesteryears Krishna Kumari, One of the toppers of South India of 1950 era Krishna Kumar aged 85 years passed away early morning on Wednesday. Actress of over 230 films in South Indian languages was elder sister to Sowcar Janaki. Krishna Kumar leaves behind her daughter Deepka, son in law Vikram and grandson Pawan.

EDAKALLU CHANDRASEKHAR - Edakallu Chandrasekhar passed away in Canada, The high profile actor Edakallugudda Chandrasekhar – commencing his career as child actor in ‘Namma Makkalu’ and having flourishing career as producer, settled in Canada for sometime finally breathed last at Canada on Saturday (according to IST around 6.30 am). He died of heart attack.

SRIDEVI - Sridevi profound actress; super star stature in Hindi cinema Sridevi sudden demise has shocked innumerable of people.

SHIVA - It was sudden and shocking news of demise of director Shiva of 34 years on Friday night. Shiva directed Kannada film ‘Charlie’ starring Madarangi Krishna and taken up ‘Malgudi Station’ as his next. Well known editor and closet of late Shanker Nag – Anil Malnad brother of Jagadish Malnad passed away at his Chennai.

ANIL KUMAR - Anil Kumar hero of Bili Hendathi and other Kannada films passed away in first week of May 2018, on 5^th of July Vatara Mallesh of 42 years died at KIMS hospital, he has acted in over 150 films and 250 TV serials, Sadashiva Salian yesteryears villain died in Mumbai. He has acted in over 50 Kannada and Tulu films.

C V RAJENDRAN - Among veteran directors topnotch director of yesteryears CV Rajendran passed away at the age of 81 had a pretty good innings in Kannada filmdom.

P N SATHYA - On May 7 one of the action films directors and actor PN Sathya passed away at the age of 46 on Saturday night and he was cremated on Sunday. He was suffering from cancer for a long time.

M S RAJASHEKHAR - One of the leading directors of yesteryears M S Rajashekhar passes away after a brief illness. He was suffering from breathing ailment. The director of super hit films like Nanjundi Kalyana that ran for one year in the theatres giving a solid ground for Raghavendra Rajakumar and Malashri (remember for Gundu song…Olage Seridare Gundu) made his beginning in the 80’. He was a permanent camp member of Dr Rajakumar. Assistant to various films commenced as director from Dr Rajakumar ‘Dhruvathaare

AR BABU - One of the popular directors of Kannada cinema A R Babu known for ‘Halo Yama’ super hit film passed away after prolonged illness.

SMT RAJALAKSHMI BARAGURU - Prof Baraguru Ramachandrappa wife Smt Rajalakshmi breathed last on April 8 in Bengaluru. She was admitted to hospital for a long time and taking treatment for kidney failure.

K M VISHNUVARDHANA - One of the humble and simple cameramen of Kannada cinema KM Vishnuvardhana passed away of heart attack in a private hospital near Marathhalli. He was Karnataka state award winning cameraman for ‘Neenyaare’ Kannada cinema of 2008-2009.

GOTURI A Telugu based writer, actor and talented Goturi alias Pashupathi Prasad passed away on Thursday and this aged actor cum writer cremation was held in Yelahanka.

BASAVARAJ WALI - The noted cameraman of a few quality films known in the circles of TS Nagabharana, Sunil Kumar Desai, Kashinath, Girish Kasaravalli, Kokila Mohan and others – Basavaraj Wali passed away of heart attack on last night at the age of 65. 

T S RANGA - Veteran director of Kannada cinema TS Ranga of 69 years died of heart attack. He was admitted to hospital for serious sugar complaint.

AKKI CHANNABASAPPA - ‘Akki Runa’ is over for Akki Channabasappa aged actor of Kannada cinema and television hailing from theatre background. Like any comedy actor Akki Channabasappa swallowed pains of poverty in life. Look at the fate of this 86 years actor of over 100 films – the character artists association members are doing the final rites.

CHANDAN - Anchor, actor Chandan and singer Santoshi died in May 2018 in a road accident, talented director of Kannada film ‘Kanasu’ …Kannu Theredaaga Santosh Shetty slipped to death at Ermai Falls near Belthangady on May 30.

M N VYASA RAO - 15^th July 2018 MN Vyasa Rao (73) famous poet and lady poet Nagashri Sri Raksha (32) passed away. Vyasa Rao contribution to Kannada cinema is unforgettable. Balalli Kanda Bhavada Belaku….goes away, he wrote very popular songs for films. Nee Nillade Nanagenide…popularized by Rathnamala Prakash and MD Pavallavi in the music field.

M BHAKTAVASALA - Former KFCC President and producer M Bhaktavatsala passed away on 5^th of August 2019 – he was responsible in giving professional quality in his production, exhibition and distribution of cinema. He was known for standing at the national level and as hobby he traveled fifty percent of the work in his 83 years of age. He was the first one to evolve ‘Thinkers and Makers’ team at KFCC.

SADASHIVA BRAHMAVAR - Richly talented and self reliant person at the age of 90 Sadashiva Brahmavar of hundreds of films from ‘Mother’ in 1980 died of age old illness. Sadashiva Brahmvar enacted a number of roles in cinema and TV that touched the hearts of family audience. He was cremated at Banashankeri Crematorium and his last wish was that his death should not be made viral in the industry.

LAKSHMIPATHI – actor in mad role in KGF Kannada cinema Lakshmipathi died on 30^th of December.