State News

Kannada Cinema Loses Comic Stalwart M.S. Umesh at 80

By Editor

Posted on December 1, 2025

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Kannada Cinema Loses Comic Stalwart M.S. Umesh at 80

Bemgaluru : Veteran Kannada actor M.S. Umesh, widely celebrated for his memorable comic roles, passed away on Sunday morning (November 30) at the age of 80. The actor had been battling cancer for some time. Umesh’s death comes as a loss to the Kannada film industry, which he enriched with a career spanning over six decades. He is survived by his wife and daughter.

Health Battle and Family Tragedy

Umesh’s health condition came to light recently after a fall at his residence, leading to his hospitalization where he was diagnosed with cancer and subsequently underwent treatment. This personal loss follows an earlier family tragedy: the couple had previously lost their son, Chandrashekar, an aspiring actor, in a rail accident.

A Career Defined by Laughter

Born in Mysuru in 1945, Umesh began his journey in the arts as a child actor in theatre companies like Hirannaiah Mitra Mandali and Gubbi Veeranna Nataka Company. His film debut came at the age of 15 when renowned director Puttanna Kanagal recommended him to filmmaker B.R. Pantulu, who cast him as the lead in the 1960 children’s film Makkala Rajya. Although the film was successful, Umesh returned to theatre until making a significant comeback in Puttanna Kanagal’s 1977 film Katha Sangama, for which he won the State Award for Best Supporting Actor.

Legacy and Memorable Roles

In a prolific career of over six decades, Umesh is estimated to have acted in more than 900 films. He became known for his impeccable comic timing, signature dialogue delivery, and peculiar facial expressions that consistently brought laughter to the audience. His roles as Sitapati in Golmaal Radhakrishna, Dr. Rajkumar’s sidekick in Shruthi Seridaga, and the old widow in Venkata inSankata remain popular to this day. His brother, M.S. Sathya, who was also a comic actor, had predeceased him.

Condolences from Dignitaries

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed grief, noting that despite the State government ensuring free treatment, the actor did not respond to it. The CM also wished a speedy recovery to Umesh’s wife, who is also ill. Union Minister H.D. Kumarswamy, himself a film producer, paid tribute, stating that Umesh was an actor who made the audience “float in a sea of laughter” and significantly enriched Kannada cinema.