Bungle Shama Rao Dwarakanath, a luminary in the Kannada film domain renowned for his multifaceted contributions as an actor, director, and producer, passed away at the age of 81 due to cardiac arrest on Tuesday, April 16.
Born on August 19, 1942, Dwarakish spent his early years in Ittigegud, Mysuru, where he received his initial education at Sharada Vilas and Banumaiah’s School. He later graduated from CPC Polytechnic with a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering.
Despite finding success in the automotive spare-parts business, which he co-established with his brother under the banner of ‘Bharath Auto Spares’ in Gandhi Square, Mysuru, Dwarakish harbored an enduring passion for acting. He persistently sought opportunities to showcase his talent, often seeking the counsel of his maternal uncle, the esteemed cinema director Hunusur Krishnamurthy. In 1963, he took a decisive leap, leaving behind the world of business to pursue a career in the film industry.
C V Shivashankar, a celebrated Kannada filmmaker, bestowed upon him the appellation ‘Dwarakish’, marking the beginning of an illustrious journey in cinema. Dwarakish etched his name in history by being the first Kannada producer to introduce the legendary singer Kishore Kumar to the Kannada film fraternity, catalyzing the widespread acclaim of the iconic song ‘Aadu Aata Aadu’.
