Veteran Sandalwood comedian MS Umesh passes away at 80

BENGALURU: Veteran Sandalwood comedian MS Umesh (80), who had been battling cancer, passed away on Sunday morning at Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology in Bengaluru.

Just a few days ago he slipped at home and injured his leg and hip. He was immediately admitted to the hospital. While undergoing treatment, it was discovered that he had cancer. During the leg surgery the doctors also informed him that he had liver cancer. He was undergoing treatment, but passed away on Sunday morning.

Umesh was born on April 22, 1945 in Mysuru. He was a popular comedy artist of the Kannada professional theatre and film industry. With his unique style of dialogue, acting and expressions, he won the hearts of Kannada film lovers.

Umesh’s father is AL Srikantaiah and his mother is Nanjamma. Having entered theatre as a child artist, he had an innate inclination toward theatre. He performed enthusiastically in child roles. He was encouraged to act in child roles, lured with rock sugar to set his mood for the scene.

His first notable experience came after the “Jagatjyoti Basaveshwara” play written by AN Krishna in the K Hirannaiah Mitra Mandal, where he played the role of Bijjala’s son.

Prior to that, he had acted in many plays as a child actor. He also got child roles in Gubbi Veeranna’s company. His portrayal of Prahlada in the play “Dashavatara” earned him a Rs 10 ten remuneration from Master Hirannaiah. Gubbi Veeranna was his childhood guru who taught him acting and theatre performance. Umesh also performed as a child actor in MC Mahadeva Swamy’s Kannada Theatres company.

Besides acting, Umesh mastered several musical instruments. He gained fame as a pianist in Master Hirannaiah’s troupe, as a flautist in N. Shrikantha Murthy’s drama company, and as a harmonium player in other ensembles. He was also a singer.

ಕನ್ನಡ ಚಿತ್ರರಂಗದ ಹೆಸರಾಂತ ಹಾಸ್ಯನಟ ಉಮೇಶ್ ಅವರ ನಿಧನದ ಸುದ್ದಿ ನೋವು ತಂದಿದೆ. ತಮ್ಮ ಸಹಜ ಅಭಿನಯದ ಮೂಲಕ ಹಲವು ದಶಕಗಳ ಕಾಲ ಪ್ರೇಕ್ಷಕರನ್ನು ನಗಿಸುತ್ತಾ, ಕನ್ನಡಾಂಬೆಯ ಸೇವೆಗೈದ ಹಿರಿಯ ಜೀವಕ್ಕೆ ಭಾವಪೂರ್ಣ ವಿದಾಯಗಳು.

ಮೃತರ ಆತ್ಮಕ್ಕೆ ಚಿರಶಾಂತಿ ಸಿಗಲಿ ಎಂದು ಪ್ರಾರ್ಥಿಸುತ್ತೇನೆ.
– ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿ @siddaramaiah pic.twitter.com/OKvWumdxrh

— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) November 30, 2025

Umesh received many awards for his performance, including the Best Supporting Actor award for the role of “Thimmaraya” in the three‑story film Kathasangam; the Drama Academy Award in 1994; the Mahanagara Palike Award in 1997; and the Vishweshwara Yayathi Foundation Award for his autobiography, ‘Bannada Ghante,’ among many other honours. The film industry honoured Umesh for his five‑decade‑long contribution to the cinema industry.

Umesh’s mortal remains were kept for final viewing at JP Nagar residence until 12 pm. From 12.30 onwards, the body will be kept at Ravindra Kalakshetra for public viewing. Following that, after discussions with family members, the funeral will be conducted according to Brahmin tradition at Banashankari crematorium