Who Was Dwarakish? The First Showman Of Kannada Films

Rarely do we encounter actors possessing profound knowledge in both filmmaking and production. Dwarakish, who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 81, was a rare gem in this regard, often hailed as the first showman of the Sandalwood industry.

Hailing from Mysuru, Dwarakish harboured a deep-seated passion for cinema from a tender age. Despite initially pursuing a diploma and delving into the automotive spare parts business, his heart remained steadfastly set on the silver screen.

Blessed with familial ties to Hunusur Krishnamurthy, a reputable figure in the film industry, Dwarakish found a smooth entry into the realm of cinema. He marked his cinematic debut in his uncle's film 'Veera Sankalpa' (1964), where his comedic flair captivated audiences' attention.

Those days, Narasimha Raju was in huge demand and it was difficult to get his dates. Dwarakish seized the opportunity. His uncle cast him in his movies such as 'Maduve Madi Nodu' (1965), 'Satya Harishchandra' (1965), 'Sri Kanyaka Parameshwari Kathe' (1966), etc.

However, Dwarakish was not willing to be just a comedian in movies. Hence, he decided to turn producer. His first movie under 'Dwarakish Chitra' was 'Mayor Muthanna' which starred Dr Rajkumar.

Thereafter, Dwarakish found himself drawn to the emerging trend of detective and cowboy narratives within the Telugu film industry. This inclination resulted in the creation of movies such as 'Kulla Agent 007' (1972) and 'Cowboy Kulla' (1973). In the process, he ended the notion that people who are short cannot be heroes.

He embraced the persona of a 'kulla' (a short man) and earned the moniker 'Karnatakada Raja Kulla'. The kind of subjects he chose was different from the regular ones and helped to strike the chord.

His career reached new heights after teaming up with Dr Vishnuvardhan. Together, they acted in adventure comedies such as 'Kalla Kulla' (1975), 'Kittu Puttu' (1977), and 'Singaporenalli Raja Kulla' (1978), among others.

During this era, Dwarakish firmly established himself as an icon in the Kannada film industry. Notably, 'Singaporenalli Raja Kulla' became the pioneering Kannada film shot in a foreign setting, showcasing Dwarakish's audacious production style and penchant for daring experiments.

Not many know that he was considered as the first showman of Sandalwood as his movies were renowned for their lavish sets, enchanting melodies, and picturesque locales. His New Year parties in Chennai in the mid-80s used to be the talk of the town.

Dwarakish Chitra funded films spanning a wide spectrum of genres. While 'Singaporenalli Raja Kulla' delivered action and adventure, 'Guru Shishyaru' (1981) was a comedy flick. 'Mane Mane Kathe' (1981) was a family drama, whereas 'Nee Bareda Kadambari' (1985) delved into the intricacies of a husband-wife relationship.

However, people often criticised him for doing remakes. In fact, he was called 'Remake Raja' in the film industry in that era. He made three movies with Rajinikanth.

He was one of the few producers who made movies with most of the leading actors of his times such as Dr Rajkumar, Dr Vishnuvardhan, Ambareesh and Shankar Nag among others. He was also credited with introducing filmmaker Siddalingaiah, actors Shruti, and Sunil to the film industry from his banner.

His 'Africadalli Sheela' bombed at the box office, forcing him to sell his properties. It also ended his glorious days. His friendship with Dr Vishnvuardhan had hit a rough patch, by then.

Undeterred by flops and debts, he continued to do movies.