Kannada Film, television, theatre actor, producer, co director M Srinivasa Karanth also known as ‘Chiti Karanth’ died after a long illness on late yesterday night at Shekar Nursing Home in Hanumanthnagar, Bengaluru. The cremation was held on Sunday morning/

MS Karanth hailing from Dakshin Kannada district is also Yakshagana exponent. He made debut in ‘Gejje Pooje’ of SR Puttannakagal but remained away from cinema for 10 years. It was in 1980’s MS Karanth was brought because of the friendship of Dr Srinath and Somu. In over three decades of stint in various capacities MS Karanth acted in over 150 films. He produced films like Balondu Bava Geethe and Digvijaya. He was co director for 10 films. He was active in cinema till ‘Karulina Kudi’.

Some of the well known films MS Karanth acted were - Aakrosha, Preethi Vatsalya, Jeevana Chakra, Poorna Chandra, Anthima Ghatta, Praja Prabhutva, Krishna Mechchida Radhe, Gandandre Gandu, Padmavyuha, Dr Krishna, Chapala Channigaraya, Shivashanker, Ashwamedha, Hosa Jeevana, Gandanige Thakka Hendathi, Ready Made Ganda, Dowry Mathu MLA, Nagunagutha Nali, Sapthapadhi, Ganesha Subramanya, Chik Yejamanru, Mavanige Thakka Aliya, Bahaddur Hennu, Jagamechchida Huduga, Mahendra Verma, Kempaiah IPS, Karulina Koogu, Indrana Gedda Narendra, Anuraga Devathe, Bal Nan Maga, Ishwar and others.

A long companion of reputed director D Rajendra Babu, Karanth acted in almost all the of D Babu’s 50 plus films.

Karanth was active in television serials production, direction and acting. He served the theatre for a long time.

Karanth reputation dipped after he ventured in to chit funds business.