Veteran actor-producer Dwarakish, best known for his immense contributions to Kannada cinema as an artiste and filmmaker is no more. Dwarakish, who has produced 50 films and introduced several actors in the Kannada industry, succumbed to a heart attack in his home in Bengaluru on April 16. He was 81. Since news of his passing emerged, condolence messages have been pouring in on social media, both from his friends in the fraternity and audiences that he mesmerized with his work over the years.

Dwarakish is fondly remembered for being the first to shoot a Kannada film in Africa, doing a song recording in London, bringing actor-singer Kishore Kumar to the industry and introducing and supporting several actors over the years. His collaborations with the likes of Dr Rajkumar and Dr Vishnuvardhan are among the most celebrated and successful ventures in Kannada cinema. And while several of his productions did not find commercial success, he had an undying spirit, refusing to be affected by these setbacks.

From politicians to actors, sportstars and more, the who’s who has been dropping by the actor’s home in Electronics City in Bengaluru, where he breathed his last, with several taking to social media about this great loss for the Kannada film industry.

Speaking to the media, Dwarakish’s son Yogish said that the former had complained of stomach troubles last night and didn’t catch much sleep. This morning, after coffee, he wanted to rest for a couple of hours and instructed his family to wake him up thereafter, but he did not, passing away peacefully in his sleep.

Dwarakish was at the centre of several death hoaxes last year, which had forced him to clarify that he was hale and hearty after all. Fans who were hoping that there would be a twist like that this time too were left heartbroken when the family confirmed his passing.

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