Dwarakish, born Bungle Shama Rao Dwarakanath on August 19, 1942, and passed away on April 16, 2024, was a prominent figure in the Kannada film industry.
Renowned for his versatile contributions as an actor, director, and producer, he was affectionately known as Dwarakish, a name Kannada filmmaker C. V. Shivashankar bestowed upon him.
DWARAKISH |
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| WIKI FACTS & ABOUT DATA | |
| Full Name: | Bungle Shama Rao Dwarakanath |
| Stage Name: | Dwarakish |
| Born: | 19 August 1942 (age 81 years old) |
| Place of Birth: | Ittigegud, Mysore, India |
| Died: | 16 April 2024, India |
| Nationality: | Indian |
| Education: | CPC Polytechnic |
| Height: | 1.72 m |
| Parents: | Jayamma, Bungle Shama Rao |
| Siblings: | Madhusoodana Rao |
| Spouse: | Ambuja (m. ?-2021), Shailaja (m. 1993-2024) |
| Girlfriend • Partner: | N/A |
| Children: | Santhosh Dwarakish, Chitra Dwarakish, Yogesh Dwarakish, Giri Dwarakish, Sukish Dwarakish, Abhilash Dwarakish |
| Occupation: | Actor • Filmmaker |
| Net Worth: | $3 million (USD) |
Table of Contents
Early Life & Education
Dwarakish, a celebrated actor and filmmaker, was born on August 19, 1942, in Ittigegud, Mysore. Raised in a family with a rich entrepreneurial background, his father, Bungle Shama Rao, was a well-known entrepreneur, while his mother, Jayamma, engaged in trading.
Alongside his brother, Madhusoodana Rao, also known as Madhusudana Rao or Madhusudhan Rao, Dwarakish spent his formative years in Mysore.
Dwarakish He received his early education at Sharada Vilas and Banumaiah’s school, where he later earned a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering from CPC Polytechnic. After completing his studies, Dwarakish, alongside his brother, ventured into the automotive spare parts business, establishing “Bharath Auto Spares” in Gandhi Square, Mysore.
Despite his business success, Dwarakish‘s passion for acting persisted. Encouraged by his maternal uncle, the renowned cinema director Hunsur Krishnamurthy, Dwarakish eventually made the bold decision to transition from business to acting in 1963.
Career
Dwarakish‘s journey in cinema started with a humble role as a prince in Veera Sankalpa, a film directed by his uncle. Those early days saw him in smaller parts in movies like Maduve Madi Nodu and Satya Harischandra. Then, in 1966, he dipped his toes into production, co-producing Mamatheya Bandhana under Thunga Pictures.
His big break came in 1969 with Mayor Muthanna, starring Dr. Rajkumar and Bharathi, which turned out to be a blockbuster hit, paving the way for a slew of successful productions over the next couple of decades.
Taking a seat in the director’s chair in 1985 with Nee Bareda Kadambari, Dwarakish proved his mettle behind the camera with films like Dance Raja Dance and Rayaru Bandaru Mavana Manege.
Despite facing setbacks and box office flops, Dwarakish persisted, championing new talent and ideas in Kannada cinema. His resilience paid off with hits like Apthamitra in 2004.
One of his notable contributions was introducing Kishore Kumar to Kannada cinema as a producer, with the song Aadu Aata Aadu becoming a sensation, showcasing his keen eye for talent and his dedication to nurturing fresh faces in the industry.
Personal Life
Dwarakish tied the knot with Shailaja in 1993, and they were blessed with a son and a daughter. Their son, Chitra Dwarakish, follows in his father’s footsteps as a film producer. Additionally, two of Dwarakish‘s six sons, Giri Dwarakish and Abhilash Dwarakish, have ventured into film acting.
Dwarakish’s six sons are Santhosh Dwarakish, Chitra Dwarakish, Yogish Dwarakish, Giri Dwarakish, Sukish Dwarakish, and Abhilash Dwarakish, while his daughter’s name is unknown.
Yogesh Dwarakish has been managing the production house during Dwarakish‘s break from the film industry.
Ambuja was Dwarakish‘s second wife. He entered into this marriage with her consent. Sadly, Ambuja passed away in 2021.
Cause Of Death
Dwarakish passed away from a heart attack in Bengaluru on April 16, 2024, at the age of 81.
Net Worth
Before his passing in 2024, Dwarakish, a notable personality in the entertainment industry, had accumulated a substantial net worth of $3 million.
Achievements &Recognitions
- Pioneered the production of the first Kannada movie to be filmed outside India.
- Apthamitra, a milestone in Kannada Cinema, set records by being the first film in the industry to run continuously for a year in two theaters, Santosh in Bangalore and Ranajith in Mysore. It also marked the first Kannada film to maintain four daily screenings throughout its year-long run.
- Dwarakish was honored with an NTR Award for his contributions to the film industry.
Filmography
- Prema Matsara (1982) as Ganesha
- Geluvu Nannade (1983) as Krishnamurthy aka Kittu
- Prachanda Kulla (1984)
- Madhuve Madu Tamashe Nodu (1984)
- Indina Ramayana (1984)
- Nee Bareda Kadambari (1985)
- Nee Thanda Kanike (1985)
- Africadalli Sheela (1986)
- Dance Raja Dance (1987)
- Hendthi Helidare Kelabeku (1993)
- Server Somanna (1993)
- Muddina Maava (1993)
- Rayaru Bandaru Mavana Manege (1993)
- Mandyada Gandu (1994)
- Kiladigalu (1994)
- Rasika (1994)
- Yaarige Beda Duddu (2001)
- Sri Manjunatha (2001)
- Khushi (2003)
- Shwetha Naagara (2004)
- Apthamitra (2004)
- Jothe Jotheyali (2006)
- Anjadiru (2009)
- Josh (2009)
- Vishnuvardhana (2011)
- Maanikya (2014)
- Aatagara (2015)
- Chowka (2017)