Bengaluru: Veteran Kannada film actor, director and producer Kashinath died on Thursday at a private hospital here.
Kashinath (67) is survived by wife Chandraprabha and two children, son Alok alias Abhimanyu and daughter Amrutha Varshini.
He was suffering from Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a type of cancer, doctors at Sri Shankara Cancer Foundation, where he was undergoing treatment, said.
“He was diagnosed with Hogan’s Lymphoma about seven months back and was undergoing treatment in our hospital. Three days ago, he was admitted to our hospital with fever and breathing related complications. Today morning he passed away,” Dr Ravi Thippeswamy of Sri Shankara Cancer Foundation said.
Kashinath worked for over 40 feature films in a span of over three decades. He also produced a few films besides composing music.
He hailed from Kundapur in Udupi district, while starting his career in Sandalwood with a comedy, Aparoopada Athitigalu starring Suresh Heblikar, Anand Darwar and Mamatha in 1976. He rose to fame with Aparachita, a highly acclaimed suspense thriller two years later. Inspired by its success, Kashinath remade the movie in Hindi with a title ‘Be-Shaque’ starring Mithun Chakraborty, Yogeeta Bali and Amrish Puri.
A few of his flicks include Anubhava, Anantana Avanthara, Ajagajanthara and Avale Nanna Hendthi which was remade in Hindi titled Jawani Zindabad with Aamir Khan and Farah in lead roles.
He shaped the careers of several personalities in the Kannada film industry including actor Upendra and director Sunil Kumar Desai and music composer V Manohar. He became famous for double entendres giving a different dimension to Kannada film industry. Kashinath also gave a new dimension in the genre of comedy. Kashinath became famous for ushering in a different style in filmmaking and for focusing on subjects that had social relevance.
Recalling his association with Kashinath, Upendra said he was an institution unto himself who taught us many things. “It is hard to accept that he is no more,” Upendra said.
Kashinath latest flick was Chowka (2017) in which his donned the role of a father. His acting skill was much appreciated. One more Kannada film – Olu Muniswamy – is yet to be released.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, Minister for Kannada and Culture Umashree and Sandalwood fraternity have mourned the sad demise of Kashinath. He was cremated in Chamarajpet crematorium late evening. Last rites were performed by his son Alok. Hundreds of Kashinath’s fans have attended the cremation.
