Noted actor-producer M P Shankar passes away

Mysore, Jul 17 (UNI) Noted film producer and actor M P Shankar, who shot to fame with his movies on wildlife and children, passed away due to pancreatic cancer here today.

He was 73 and is survived by his wife, son and daughter.

Shankar was noted for his roles as a villain in Kannada movies like 'Veera Kesari', 'Satya Harischandra' and 'Veera Sankalpa'. He had acted in many films with late matinee idol Rajkumar.

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

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

The Kannada Rajyotsava awardee had acted in 108 movies and produced 15 of them.

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

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