V. Somashekhar
V. Somashekhar | |
---|---|
ವೆಂಕಟಪ್ಪ ಸೋಮಶೇಖರ್ | |
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Born | Venkatappa Somashekhar 27 July 1937 |
Died | 22 August 2003 Bangalore, India | (aged 66)
Cause of death | Kidney failure |
Nationality | Indian |
Other names | V. Somasekharan |
Occupation(s) | Film director, producer, screenwriter |
Spouse | Gowramma |
Children | 3 |
Parent(s) | Venkatappa Munithayamma |
Awards | Puttanna Kanagal Award (2001) |
Venkatappa Somashekhar (27 July 1937 – 22 August 2003) was an Indian film director, producer and screenwriter in Kannada and Malayalam cinema. In 40 years of his career as a director, he directed 49 films, including commercial successes such as Premada Kanike (1976), Shankar Guru (1978), Seetharamu (1979) and Chakravyuha (1983).[1] Widely known for action-oriented movies, he was much sought as a hit-machine.[2]
Following his directorial career, he worked as the President of Kannada Film Directors Association. Recognizing his contribution to Kannada cinema, he was awarded the Puttanna Kanagal Award in 2001.[3]
Career
In 1955, in Madras (now Chennai), at the age of 18, Somashekhar entered cinema hoping to become an actor and started as a clapperboard operator. He then appeared in uncredited film roles before working as a dubbing artist. Following this, he worked as an assistant director to popular film directors at the time, R. Nagendra Rao, N. G. Rajan, Y. R. Swamy, Ramamurthy and Babu Rao.
Somashekhar started out as an independent director with the 1974 film Bangaarada Panjara starring Rajkumar in the lead role. The film was a commercial success. Collaborating with Rajkumar, he followed this up with other hit films such as Premada Kanike (1976), Shankar Guru (1978), Thayige Thakka Maga (1978) and Parashuram (1989).
He was instrumental in building the career of Shankar Nag as an action hero, directing him in films such as Seetharamu (1979), Aarada Gaaya (1980) and Devara Aata (1981).
He directed Ambarish in the 1983 film Chakravyuha for Eshwari Productions, after their previous venture Ajith ran well. Chakravyuha, a commercial success, was remade in Hindi as Inquilaab, and revived the latter's career following a series of failures. Ambarish went on to do a string of movies with Somashekhar, namely Gajendra, Chaduranga, Deverelliddaane, Mrugaalaya, Bete, Mr Raja and Bedi, each having a tone of a rebel hero fighting against the corrupt, earning the sobriquet "Rebel Star."[4]
With Vishnuvardhan, he worked in the film Kalinga (1980) and Chanakya (1984). Other popular films directed by him include Point Parimala (1980), Ranaranga (1988) and S. P. Bhargavi (1981).[1] In the late 80s, he collaborated with director Vijay and writer CV Shivashankr and made a string of successful movies.
Final years and death
Following his film career as a director after retiring in 1992, Somashekhar associated himself with the Kannada Film Directors Association, serving as its President and as a working committee member of the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce.[1]
Recognizing his contribution to Kannada cinema, he was awarded the Puttanna Kanagal Award in 2001, for 1999–2000.
He took to agriculture in the following years and also suffered from renal disorder during this time. He died on August 22, 2003, at a hospital in St. John's Medical College, Bangalore.[4]
Filmography
Year | Film | Language | Credited as | Notes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Director | Producer | Screenwriter | ||||
1974 | Bangaarada Panjara | Kannada | Yes | Yes | ||
1976 | Premada Kanike | Kannada | Yes | Won, Karnataka State Film Award for Third Best Film | ||
1978 | Shankar Guru | Kannada | Yes | |||
1978 | Thayige Thakka Maga | Kannada | Yes | |||
1979 | Seetharamu | Kannada | Yes | |||
1979 | Vijay Vikram | Kannada | Yes | |||
1980 | Point Parimala | Kannada | Yes | |||
1980 | Kaalinga | Kannada | Yes | |||
1980 | Rama Parashurama | Kannada | Yes | |||
1980 | Aarada Gaaya | Kannada | Yes | Yes | ||
1981 | Havina Hede | Kannada | Yes | |||
1981 | Devara Aata | Kannada | Yes | Yes | ||
1982 | Andada Aramane | Kannada | Yes | |||
1982 | Mareyalagada Kathe | Kannada | Yes | |||
1982 | Ajith | Kannada | Yes | |||
1983 | Chandi Chamundi | Kannada | Yes | |||
1983 | Chakravyuha | Kannada | Yes | |||
1984 | Gajendra | Kannada | Yes | Yes | ||
1984 | Premigala Saval | Kannada | Yes | |||
1984 | Chanakya | Kannada | Yes | |||
1985 | Njangal Jayikkum Njangal Bharikum | Malayalam | Yes | |||
1985 | Chaduranga | Kannada | Yes | |||
1985 | Devarelliddane | Kannada | Yes | Yes | also wrote story | |
1986 | Mrugaalaya | Kannada | Yes | Yes | ||
1986 | Ee Jeeva Ninagagi | Kannada | Yes | |||
1986 | Aparadhi Nanalla | Kannada | Yes | |||
1986 | Bete | Kannada | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
1986 | Vishwaroopa | Kannada | Yes | |||
1987 | Mister Raja | Kannada | Yes | Yes | ||
1987 | Bedi | Kannada | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
1987 | Verukal Thedi | Malayalam | Yes | |||
1988 | Kirathaka | Kannada | Yes | |||
1988 | Vijaya Khadga | Kannada | Yes | |||
1988 | Ranaranga | Kannada | Yes | Yes | ||
1989 | Gandandre Gandu | Kannada | Yes | |||
1989 | Onti Salaga | Kannada | Yes | Yes | ||
1989 | Parashuram | Kannada | Yes | Yes | ||
1990 | Ranabheri | Kannada | Yes | Yes | ||
1990 | Prathap | Kannada | Yes | Yes | Yes | also wrote story |
1991 | Varagala Bete | Kannada | Yes | also wrote story | ||
1991 | S. P. Bhargavi | Kannada | Yes | Yes | Yes | also wrote story |
1992 | Chuvanna Kaipathi | Malayalam | Yes | |||
1992 | Chitralekha | Kannada | Yes | Yes | Yes | also wrote story |
1993 | Sarkarakke Saval | Kannada | Yes | |||
1993 | Kempaiah IPS | Kannada | Yes | Yes | also wrote story | |
1997 | Gandede Bhaira | Kannada | Yes |
References
- ^ a b c "V Somashekar Dead". chitraloka.com. 23 August 2003. Retrieved 18 November 2014.
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(help) - ^ http://chitraloka.com/flash-back/3163-v-somashekar-dead.html
- ^ "Shivaraj, Tara, Anu bag State film awards". The Hindu. 17 December 2001. Retrieved 18 November 2014.
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(help) - ^ a b "Somashekar passes away". The Hindu. 23 August 2003. Retrieved 18 November 2014.
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External links
- 1937 births
- 2003 deaths
- Kannada film producers
- Kannada film directors
- Malayalam film directors
- Deaths from renal failure
- Kannada screenwriters
- People from Bangalore Urban district
- 20th-century Indian film directors
- Film directors from Karnataka
- Film producers from Karnataka
- Screenwriters from Karnataka
- 20th-century Indian dramatists and playwrights