Dwarakish

Fondly remembered as "Karnatakada Kulla" (Dwarf of Karnataka), 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.

• Name — Dwarakish • Birth Name — Bungle Shama Rao Dwarakanath • Born — 19 August 1942 • Birthplace — Hunsur, Kingdom of Mysore • Died — 16 April 2024 • Place of death — Bengaluru, Karnataka, India • Years Active — 1963–2024 • Occupation — * Actor • director • producer • screenwriter • Works — Full list • Children — 6; including Giri • Relatives — Hunsur Krishnamurthy (uncle) • Website — dwarakishchitra.com

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.

• Illustration — Dwarakish, Vishnuvardhan in 1994 Kannada film Kiladigalu

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.

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.

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.

Dwarakish died from cardiac arrest in Bengaluru, on 16 April 2024, at the age of 81.

• Year — Title — Role — Notes — Ref(s) Reference(s) • 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 Loka • Apthamitra — 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

• Year — Title — Director — Producer — Writer — Notes — Ref(s) Reference(s) • 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 — Screenplay • Brahma Gantu • 1986 — Naan Adimai Illai — Screenplay — Tamil film • Africadalli Sheela • 1987 — Kizhakku Africavil Sheela — Tamil film • Sheela — Story — Hindi film • Dance Raja Dance • Onde Goodina Hakkigalu • Ravana Rajya • 1988 — Ganda Mane Makkalu • 1989 — Jai Karnataka • Krishna Nee Kunidaga • 1990 — Shruthi — Screenplay • 1991 — Gowri Kalyana — Screenplay • 1992 — Hosa Kalla Hale Kulla • 1993 — Rayaru Bandaru Mavana Manege — Screenplay • 1994 — Rasika • Kiladigalu • 1995 — Kidnap • Giddu Dada • 1996 — Hrudaya Kallaru • 1997 — Shruthi Hakida Hejje • 2001 — Majnu — Screenplay • 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 – Kannada Nominated—SIIMA Award for Best Film – Kannada • 2018 — Amma I Love You • 2019 — Ayushman Bhava