Sandalwood Veteran Umesh Passes Away at 80

Veteran Sandalwood actor Umesh, 80, dies in Bengaluru after cancer battle; starred in 350+ films over six decades. He's starred alongside all veterans of Sandalwood

The Kannada film industry is mourning the loss of veteran actor Umesh, who passed away this morning at 8:35 am while undergoing treatment for cancer at a private hospital in Bengaluru. Despite prolonged medical care, his condition did not improve, and the actor breathed his last surrounded by family.

Umesh, aged 80, leaves behind a remarkable legacy spanning six decades in cinema and theatre. Born in Mysuru, he began his artistic journey as a child actor with the famed Gubbi Veeranna theatre company. His talent soon caught the attention of legendary filmmaker Puttanna Kanagal, who introduced him to cinema through B.R. Pantalu’s Makkal Rajya in 1960. The film also featured Tamil icon Sivaji Ganesan in a guest role.

Over the years, Umesh acted in more than 350 films, carving a niche with memorable performances in classics such as Nagarahole, Guru Shishyaru, Kamamabillu, Apoorva Sangama, Shruti Seridaga, and Malaya Marutha. He shared the screen with stalwarts including Dr. Rajkumar, Vishnuvardhan, and Ambareesh, earning admiration for his versatility and enduring presence.

His passing marks the end of an era for Sandalwood, with fans and colleagues remembering him as a dedicated artist who enriched Kannada cinema with his craft.

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