Veteran Kannada film director S K Bhagawan dies at the age of 90

BENGALURU: Renowned veteran Kannada film director S K Bhagawan passed away at the age of 90 on Monday morning at Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research due to age-related illness. He was undergoing treatment in the Intensive Care Unit for the last couple of weeks for cardiac-related issues.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai took to Twitter to confirm the news and express grief over the demise. He wrote a special message for the late director in Kannada which translates to – “I was very saddened to hear the news renowned director of Kannada film industry S K Bhagawan’s passing away. I pray that his soul attains Sadgati. I pray that God gives strength to his family to bear this pain.”

He continued, “Dorai-Bhagawan duo has given many tasteful films to Kannada cinema. Along with his friend Dorai Raj, Bhagawan directed 55 films including ‘Kasthuri Niwasa’, ‘Eradu Kanasu’, ‘Bayalu Dari’, ‘Giri Kanye’, ‘Hosa Belaku’ starring Rajkumar. Om Shanti.”

knndd clncitrrNgd khyaat nirdeeshk shrii es. ke. bhgvaan rvr nidhnd suddi tillidu mnssige atyNt beesrvaayitu. avr aatmkke sdgti koorutteene. avr kuttuNbvrgdvrige ii noovnnu shisuv shktiynnu bhgvNt niiddli eNdu praarthisutteene.
1/2 pic.twitter.com/KNUL0Gh1wt

— Basavaraj S Bommai (@BSBommai) February 20, 2023

Born on July 5, 1933, Bhagawan began performing in theatre plays at an early age alongside Hirannaiah Mithra Mandali. In 1956, he began working in the movie industry as Kanagal Prabhakar Shastri’s assistant. Soon, he was listed alongside A C Narasimha Murthy as co-director of ‘Rajadurgada Rahasya’ (1967).

When he co-directed ‘Jedara Bale’ (1968) with Dorai Raj under the moniker Dorai-Bhagavan, he made his professional directorial debut. They were the first Kannada filmmakers to make James Bond-style films. The bond between them was unmatched in film industry and the duo had created evergreen hit films in Kannda industry. Both shared a special bond with Dr Rajkumar and directed him in more than 30 films.

Director S K Bhagawan with Dr Rajkumar.

Bhagavan made many films with Dr Rajkumar and were highly successful at box-office. He directed 55 films in Kannada and 24 of these films including ‘Eradu Kanasu’, ‘Bayaludari’, ‘Gaali maatu’, ‘Chandanada Gombe’ were based on novels.

The bond between Dorai-Bhagawan was unmatched and the duo created evergreen hit films in Kannada industry.

In the following years, the duo directed many films such as ‘Kasturi Nivasa,’ ‘Eradu Kanasu’, ‘Bayaludaari’, ‘Gaali Maatu’, ‘Chandanada Gombe’, ‘Hosa Belaku’, ‘Benkiya Bale’, ‘Jeevana Chaitra’, and more Bond-style films like ‘Goa Dalli C.I.D 999,’ Operation Jackpot Nalli C.I.D 999′, and ‘Operation Diamond Rocket’.

Together with Rajkumar, the team produced a number of films with Anant Nag and Lakshmi, most of which were adapted from books. After Dorai Raj passed away, Bhagavan took a long break from directing; their last film together was ‘Baalondu Chaduranga’ in 1996. He made a comeback in 2019 with ‘Aaduva Gombe’, the 50th movie he has directed, at the age of 85 and had served 65 years in the industry.

Bhagawan served as principal of Adarsha Film Institute, Bangaluru for long time. Bhagawan was honored with Dada Saheb Phalke award for his outstanding contribution to the film industry and was also a recipient of the Puttanna Kunagal and Dr Rajkumar awards. (ANI)