Veteran Kannada actor MS Umesh, known for his impeccable comic timing and contributions to theatre and cinema, passed away on Sunday at Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology. He was 80 and was suffering from cancer.
Hundreds of fans and several prominent personalities from the Kannada film industry, as well as political leaders, including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar, paid their last respects to the actor at Ravindra Kalakshetra. His last rites were performed at the Banashankari crematorium by his brother on Sunday evening Umesh’s daughter Jayalakshmi said he was admitted to hospital after he collapsed in the bathroom and sustained a fracture in his leg.
Subsequent tests revealed he had cancer at an advanced stage. Despite treatment, he passed away at 8.35 am on Sunday.
Born on April 22, 1945 in Mysuru, Umesh began his artistic journey at a very young age. Active in theatre and cinema from as early as 1948, he first gained recognition as a child actor with the Gubbi Veeranna Drama Company. His talent was soon noticed by filmmaker Puttanna Kanagal, leading to his debut in Makkala Rajya in 1960. Over the next six decades, he acted in over 400 films, sharing the screen with legendary actors like Dr Rajkumar, Vishnuvardhan, Ambareesh, Anant Nag and others.
Some of his notable works include Bhagyavantharu, Kiladi Jodi, Guru Shishyaru, Bhoomige Banda Bhagavantha, Halu Jenu, Kamanabillu, Apoorva Sangama, Shruti Seridaga, Megha Mandara, Akasmika, Server Somanna, Megha Maale, Nannaseya Hoove, Jackie, Rambo, Mussanje Maathu, Daredevil Mustafa and Hagalu Vesha. Umesh was honoured with the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for Katha Sangama (1975) and received the Karnataka Nataka Academy Award in 2013 for his contribution to theatre.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, after offering floral tributes at Ravindra Kalakshetra, said, “The Kannada film industry has lost a legendary actor. I pray that his soul rests in peace and that his family members and fans find the strength to bear this loss.” He also noted that the government had taken care of the cost of Umesh’s cancer treatment, as per his request.
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said, “I did not know Umesh personally, but I always enjoyed his performances. His demise is a loss to the film industry.”
Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy posted on X, “I am deeply saddened by the demise of the renowned humor artist M. Umesh. Known for making audiences float in a sea of laughter with his fresh humor, he enriched the Kannada film industry. His departure is a huge loss to the Kannada art world.”
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