Bungle Shama Rao Dwarakanath (19 August 1942 – 16 April 2024), known by his stage name Dwarakish ( ), was an Indian actor, comedian and filmmaker who predominantly worked in Kannada cinema in addition to few Tamil and Hindi films. Starting his career as a supporting actor in Veera Sankalpa (1964) and co-producer for the film Mamatheya Madilu in 1966, Dwarakish went on to work over five decades in cinema. He debuted as a director with the film Nee Bareda Kadambari (1985).
Fondly remembered as "Karnatakada Kulla" (), Dwarakish produced over 50 films under his home production called "Dwarakish Chitra". Mayor Muthanna (1969) was the first film to be produced under his banner. He is referred to be the "First showman of Kannada cinema" for his daring and lavish experiments and his films were known for grand sets, songs and exotic locations.
He appeared in more than 200 films starting 1962. In 1969, he founded Dwarakish Chitra, and produced more than 50 films, while also directing 25 films. In addition to Kannada, Dwarakish also worked on Tamil and Hindi films. Many films that he worked as a director and/or producer were remake films.
Early life Dwarakish was born on 19 August 1942. He grew up in Ittigegud, Mysore. He received his primary education in Sharada Vilas and Banumaiah's school, and he graduated from CPC Polytechnic with a Diploma in Automobile Engineering. After completing his education, Dwarakish and his brother started an automotive spare-parts business called "Bharath Auto Spares" in Gandhi Square, Mysore. He was strongly attracted to acting and often asked his maternal uncle, a famous cinema director Hunusur Krishnamurthy, to give him a chance to act in movies. In 1963, he decided to quit business and start acting in movies. He was rechristened as Dwarakish by director C. V. Shivashankar.
Film career
Actor Dwarkish started his film journey by doing a small role, that of a prince in the film Veera Sankalpa (1964) directed by his uncle Hunsur Krishnamurthy. Later he did small roles in Maduve Madi Nodu (1965) and Satya Harischandra (1965).
As an actor, he was known to play comedic roles, and his early films saw his frequently appear alongside T. N. Balakrishna and Narasimharaju. Dwarakish generally capitalised on his short stature to build his characters.
Producer In 1966, Dwarakish co-produced Mamatheya Bandhana with two others under the banner of Thunga Pictures. In 1969, his first independent production Mayor Muthanna starring Dr. Rajkumar and Bharathi Vishnuvardhan in the lead roles was a box office success. After Mayor Muthanna, Dwarakish delivered a series of box office successes as producer, one after the other for the next two decades.
Singaporenalli Raja Kulla (1978), which he produced and starred in, was the first Kannada film to be shot outside India. Dwarakish was known for his frequent collaborations with Vishnuvardhan both as actor and producer in films such as Kalla Kulla (1975), Kittu Puttu (1977), Guru Shishyaru and Apthamitra (2004). Other than Kannada, he produced two Tamil films, Adutha Varisu (1983) and Naan Adimai Illai (1986), both starring Rajinikanth and Sridevi. He produced two Hindi films including Gangvaa (1984). After a string of 19 commercial failures, he found success with Apthamitra. Ayushman Bhava was the last film he produced before his death in 2024.
Dwarakish was the first Kannada producer to introduce Kishore Kumar to the Kannada film industry via the film Kulla Agent 000, and the song "Aadu Aata Aadu" became popular.
Director From the year 1985, Dwarakish started directing movies; his first movie as a director was Nee Bareda Kadambari. He went on to direct movies for other producers. Behind the camera, Dwarakish was successful. As a director, he created movies such as Dance Raja Dance, Nee Bareda Kadambari, Shruthi, Shruthi Haakidha Hejje, Rayaru Bandaru Mavana Manege and Kilaadigalu.
Dwarakish Chitra faced problems after the failure of some movies. With huge losses from box office failures, Dwarakish was written off by his own colleagues and the entire film industry. Despite failures, Dwarakish did not despair. He continued to make movies introducing new faces to Kannada cinema.
As a producer, he introduced many new actors, actresses, directors, and technicians into cinema. Whom all consider him to be their "Godfather". Dwarakish produced Apthamitra in the year 2004 which ended up as a massive success.
Death Dwarakish died from cardiac arrest in Bengaluru, on 16 April 2024, at the age of 81.
Records and awards Produced First Kannada movie to be shot outside India. Apthamitra created records in Kannada Cinema. It was the first Kannada movie to celebrate screening for one year in two theatres, at Santosh in Bangalore and at Ranajith in Mysore and was the first Kannada movie to successfully complete one year of screening with four shows daily.
Dwarakish received an NTR Award.
Filmography Acting roles Year Title Role Notes 1964 Veera Sankalpa 1965 Maduve Madi Nodu Simhadri Satya Harishchandra Disciple of Kalakoushika 1966 Sri Kanyaka Parameshwari Kathe Mamatheya Bandhana Mane Katti Nodu Shankar Endu Ninnavane 1967 Sri Purandara Dasaru Jeshtachari Belli Moda Papayya Dhana Pishachi Dwarakish Lagna Pathrike Ganesha 1968 Bhagyada Bagilu Hanumantha Adda Dari Manku Dinne Bedi Bandavalu Ramakrishna Gandhinagara Prabhakara Arunodaya Anna Thamma Pravasi Mandira Lakshadheeshwara 1969 Shiva Bhaktha Mutha Kaanike Kannu Muchhale Mayor Muthanna Ranga Mallammana Pavaada Shivalingi Vichithra Samsara Mangesh Ellellu Nane Niraparadhi Kadina Rahasya 1970 Arishina Kumkuma Gundu Rao Baalu Belagithu Kitti C.I.D. Rajanna Mallanna Mooru Mutthugalu Mr. Rajkumar Shekhar Vagdana 1971 Sidila Mari Sri Krishna Rukmini Satyabhama Makaranda Bhale Adrushtavo Adrushta Nanjundi Thayi Devaru Puttu Rao Nyayave Devaru Mukunda Baala Bandana Vishwanath Sothu Geddavalu Bethala Gudda Thande Makkalu 1972 Nanda Gokula Janma Rahasya Vishakanye Kranti Veera Bangaarada Manushya Shivalingu Kulla Agent 000 Uttara Dakshina Peter 1973 CID 72 Devaru Kotta Thangi Doorada Betta Cow Boy Kulla Mane Belagida Sose 1974 Professor Huchuraya Thimma Gruhini Maga Mommaga Anna Attige Shyam Bhakta Kumbara Gopi Nanoo Balabeku 1975 Kalla Kulla Kulla Mahadeshwara Pooja Phala Koodi Balona Manthra Shakthi Aasha Soudha 1976 Makkala Bhagya Sundara Soothrada Bombe Bahaddur Gandu Panju's friend Hudugatada Hudugi Hosilu Mettida Hennu Bengaluru Bootha Punardattha Vijaya Vani Idu Namma Desha Apoorva Kanasu 1977 Devara Duddu Balu Sri Renuka Devi Mahatme Pavana Ganga Shreepathi Sose Tanda Soubhagya Dattatreya Kittu Puttu Puttu Dhanalakshmi Bhagyavantharu Subbu Galate Samsara Muthanna Shrimanthana Magalu Kumar Sahodarara Savaal Raja Kadgicchu Karthavyada Kare Shubhashaya Ganda Hendathi 1978 Singaporenalli Raja Kulla Gopinath Bhale Huduga Shreerama / Balarama / Parashurama Triple role Maathu Tappada Maga Mohan Madhura Sangama Kapanipathy Halli Haida Vamsha Jyothi Virupaksha Siritanakke Savaal Chikkayya Anuraga Bandhana Kiladi Jodi Vasantha Lakshmi Balu Aparoopa Nam Jodi 1979 Asadhya Aliya Sathyananda Naniruvude Ninagagi John / Vincent Dual role Preethi Madu Thamashe Nodu Sundara Urvashi Neene Nanna Preyasi Adalu Badalu LTV Prasanna Aliya Devaru Vijay Vikram 1980 Usha Swayamvara Himself Cameo Manku Thimma Thimma Haddina Kannu Dose Damodara Auto Raja Raja's friend Point Parimala Vamana Nyaya Neethi Dharma Puttanna Kulla Kulli Krishna "Kulla" 1981 Mane Mane Kathe Tharle Thammayya Simhada Mari Sainya Himself Kula Puthra Gopi Avala Hejje Guru Shishyaru Shishya Garjane Madappa Jeevakke Jeeva Thippe Chaya Prachanda Putanigalu Himself Number Aidoo Ekka 1982 Pedda Gedda Karmika Kallanalla Krishnamurthy Jimmy Gallu Vasantha Prema Mathsara Kiran Nyaya Ellide Peter Shankar Sundar Adrushtavantha Mava Sose Saval Snehada Sankole Oorige Upakari Cameo appearance 1983 Geluvu Nannade Krishnamurthy aka Kittu Gedda Maga Chitragupta 1984 Prachanda Kulla Rama Police Papanna Papanna 1985 Balondu Uyyale Brahma Gantu 1986 Africadalli Sheela Dr. Ram Seth Madhuve Madu Tamashe Nodu Mohan 1988 Ganda Mane Makkalu 1992 Hosa Kalla Hale Kulla 1993 Hendthi Helidare Kelabeku Eeshwarayya Server Somanna Cameo appearance Muddina Maava Rayaru Bandaru Mavana Manege Shyam Aaha Brahmachari 1994 Mandyada Gandu Cameo appearance Kiladigalu Puttappa / Hari Dual role Rasika 1995 Kidnap Giddu Dada Thaliya Sowbhagya Hello Sister 1996 Balina Jyothi Hrudaya Kallaru 1997 Shruthi Hakida Hejje Enoondre 2000 Yare Nee Abhimani Gundlupete Gundanna 2001 Yarige Beda Duddu Sri Manjunatha Bhrungi Chitte Truck driver 2002 Boothayyana Makkalu 2003 Ananda Neenilde Nanu Illa Kane Chandru Fifty:Fifty Khushi Gadibidi Brothers Dreams 2004 Swetha Naagu Ashok Kumar Baithare Baithare Kanasina LokaApthamitra Mukunda Thali Kattuva Shubhavele 2006 Jothe Jotheyali Divya's father 2008 Premigagi Naa 2009 Anjadiru Loki Eshtu Nagthi Nagu Dubai Babu Doddanna Kalakar Film director Cheluvina Chilipili Ravana 2010 Bisile Karavali Hudugi 2011 Vishnuvardhana Colonel 2014 Maanikya Himself Special appearance in song "Mani Mani Maanikya" 2015 Aatagara 2017 Chowka Himself Special appearance in song "Alladsu Alladsu" 2023 Mayanagari Dwarakish
Directing, producing, and writing credits Year Title Director ProducerWriter Notes 1966 Mamatheya Bandhana Co-producer 1969 Mayor Muthanna 1972 Kulla Agent 000 1973 Cowboy Kulla 1977 Bhagyavantharu Kittu Puttu 1978 Singaporenalli Raja Kulla 1979 Preethi Madu Thamashe Nodu 1980 Kulla Kulli Manku Thimma 1981 Guru Shishyaru Mane Mane Kathe 1982 Pedda Gedda Adrushtavantha Nyaya Ellide 1983 Gedda Maga Ananda Bhairavi Bi-lingual film (Kannada, Telugu); Kannada version only Adutha Varisu Tamil film 1984 Prachanda Kulla Police Papanna Indina Ramayana Gangvaa Hindi film Madhuve Madu Tamashe Nodu 1985 Nee Bareda Kadambari Nee Thanda Kanike Brahma Gantu 1986 Naan Adimai Illai Tamil film Africadalli Sheela 1987 Kizhakku Africavil Sheela Tamil film Sheela Hindi film Dance Raja Dance Onde Goodina Hakkigalu Ravana Rajya 1988 Ganda Mane Makkalu 1989 Jai Karnataka Krishna Nee Kunidaga 1990 Shruthi 1991 Gowri Kalyana 1992 Hosa Kalla Hale Kulla 1993 Rayaru Bandaru Mavana Manege 1994 Rasika Kiladigalu 1995 Kidnap Giddu Dada 1996 Hrudaya Kallaru 1997 Shruthi Hakida Hejje 2001 Majnu 2004 Apthamitra Filmfare Award for Best Film – Kannada 2011 Vishnuvardhana 2012 Chaarulatha Bi-lingual film (Kannada, Tamil) 2015 Aatagara 2017 Chowka Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Film – KannadaNominated—SIIMA Award for Best Film – Kannada 2018 Amma I Love You 2019 Ayushman Bhava
References
External links Official site Sify interview