Noted actor-producer M P Shankar is dead

Bangalore, July 17 (UNI) Award winning cinema producer and actor M P Shankar, who attracted national attention by producing movies based on wildlife and children, passed away here today.

He was 73 and leaves behind his wife, son and daughter.

Mr Shankar, who was suffering from pancreas cancer, is noted for his roles as villain in Kannada movies, mainly those played with late matinee idol Rajkumar. They included Veera Kesari, Satya Harischandra, Veera Sankalpa.

Under his own banner, Bharani Films, he had produced movies on wildlife like Gandada Gudi, Kadina Rahasya and Mrugalaya. He was known for his concern for wildlife and preserving of the forest wealth, which he used to depict on the silver screen. He had received National and State awards for such efforts.

However, his acting prowess was most evident in the role of the treacherous and miserly 'Bhutayya' in the award winning 'Bhutayyana Maga Ayyu'.

The Kannada Rajyotsava Award winner had acted in 108 movies while produced 15 of them.

He had also tried a hand in politics and had unsuccessfully contested from a city segment in the 2004 Assembly elections.

UNI BSP RS TS1733