M. S. Umesh: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Indian actor (1945–2025)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2017}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = M. S. Umesh
| name               = M. S. Umesh
| image =
| image             = M. S. Umesh (2023).jpg
| native_name     =  
| caption            = Umesh in 2023
| native_name_lang =  
| native_name       =  
| birthname =  
| native_name_lang   =  
| birth_date = <!--Birthdate must be attributed to a reliable published source with an established reputation for fact-checking. No blogs. No IMDb. No public records. See WP:BLPPRIVACY-->
| birthname         =  
| birth_place = [[Mysore]], India
| birth_date         = {{Birth date|1945|4|24|df=y}}
| alma_mater =  
| birth_place       = [[Mysore]], Kingdom of Mysore, India
| occupation = {{hlist|Actor|producer|director}}
| death_date        = {{Death date and age|2025|11|30|1945|4|24|df=y}}
| years active = 1960-present
| death_place        = [[Bengaluru]], [[Karnataka]], India
| spouse =  
| alma_mater         =  
| awards =  
| occupation         = {{hlist|Actor|producer|director}}
| years active       = 1960–2023
| spouse             =  
| awards             =  
}}
}}


'''Mysore Srikantayya Umesh''', popularly known as '''M. S. Umesh''' or simply '''Umesh''', is an [[India]]n actor whose [[Cinema of Karnataka|Kannada cinema]] career has spanned six decades.<ref>[https://archive.today/20150420114726/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/veteran-kannada-actor-umesh-is-living-in-poverty/276853-71-205.html Veteran Kannada actor Umesh is living in poverty]</ref> After having featured in several stage shows as an actor in his childhood, he was hired for the lead character in the film ''[[Makkala Rajya]]'' (1960). Since then, he has acted in over 350 feature films renowned for his unique dialogue delivery, facial expressions and comedy timing.
'''Mysore Srikantayya Umesh''' (24 April 1945 – 30 November 2025), popularly known as '''M. S. Umesh''' or simply '''Umesh''', was an Indian actor in Kannada cinema who had a career spanning over six decades.<ref>[https://archive.today/20150420114726/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/veteran-kannada-actor-umesh-is-living-in-poverty/276853-71-205.html Veteran Kannada actor Umesh is living in poverty]</ref> After having featured in several stage shows as an actor in his childhood, he was hired for the lead character in the film ''[[Makkala Rajya]]'' (1960). Thereafter, he acted in over 350 feature films. Brother of actor MS Sathya, Umesh was renowned for his unique dialogue delivery, facial expressions and comedy timing. He was also the music director of the television serial ''Jeevanada Jenahanigalu'' produced by [[Sundar Raj]].<ref>https://m.youtube.com/watch?si=3ogHes1hDyAl97q9&v=laT2SE-lH58&feature=youtu.be</ref>


==Early life and family==
==Background==
Umesh was born on 24 April 1945 to A. L. Srikantayya and Nanjamma. His basic schooling was in [[Mysore]] where he was drawn towards theater and stage performances. At the age of 4, he joined the popular theater troupe run by K. Hirannaiah. Soon he joined the more famous [[Gubbi Veeranna]]'s company and performed various roles as a child artist. It was in one of such stage plays that the then assistant director [[Puttanna Kanagal]] noticed him and recommended his name to [[B. R. Panthulu]]'s next film.<ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/he-has-many-stories-to-tell/article3695012.ece He has many stories to tell]</ref>
Umesh was born on 24 April 1945 to A. L. Srikantayya and Nanjamma. His basic schooling was in [[Mysore]] where he was drawn towards theatre and stage performances. At the age of 4, he joined the popular theatre troupe run by K. Hirannaiah. Soon he joined the more famous [[Gubbi Veeranna]]'s company and performed various roles as a child artist. It was in one such stage plays that the then assistant director [[Puttanna Kanagal]] noticed him and recommended his name to [[B. R. Panthulu]]'s next film.<ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/he-has-many-stories-to-tell/article3695012.ece He has many stories to tell]</ref>


Umesh's first appearance as an actor on the silver screen was with ''[[Makkala Rajya]]'' in 1960 directed by veteran actor-director [[B. R. Panthulu]] for his Padmini films banner. This was also the second film produced by [[M. V. Rajamma]].<ref>[http://chiloka.com/movie/makkala-rajya-1960 Makkala Rajya (1960)]</ref> This film also featured veteran Tamil actor [[Sivaji Ganesan]] in a cameo role.
Umesh's first appearance as an actor on the silver screen was with ''[[Makkala Rajya]]'' in 1960 directed by veteran actor-director [[B. R. Panthulu]] for his Padmini films banner. This was also the second film produced by [[M. V. Rajamma]].{{Citation needed|date=February 2022}} This film also featured veteran Tamil actor [[Sivaji Ganesan]] in a cameo role.


==Career==
==Career==
Post the superhit debut film, Umesh who was 15, could no longer feature in child roles and adult roles either. He moved back to stage shows and took up jobs which included some back stage labor works. He struggled to find himself a good role in drama plays too. It was then that Puttanna Kanagal again came to his rescue and cast him in his anthology film ''[[Katha Sangama]]'' (1977). His portrayal as "Thimmarayi" in the ''Munithaayi'' episode featuring [[Rajinikanth]] and [[Aarathi]] fetched him multiple laurels including the [[Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actor]]. Starting from here, Umesh was cast in a series of films from 1980's through 2000's. Some of his best remembered films include ''[[Nagara Hole]]'' (1978), ''[[Guru Shishyaru]]'' (1981), ''[[Anupama (1981 film)|Anupama]]'' (1981), ''[[Kaamana Billu]]'' (1983), ''[[Apoorva Sangama]]'' (1984), ''[[Shruthi Seridaaga]]'' (1987), ''[[Shravana Banthu]]'' (1984), ''[[Malaya Marutha]]'' (1986), ''[[Golmaal Radhakrishna]]'' (1990), ''[[Neenu Nakkare Haalu Sakkare]]'' (1993), ''[[Venkata in Sankata]]'' (2007) to name a few.
After the superhit debut film, Umesh who was 15, could no longer feature in child roles nor in adult roles, either. He moved back to stage shows and took up jobs which included some back stage labour works. He struggled to find himself a good role in drama plays too. It was then that Puttanna Kanagal again came to his rescue and cast him in his anthology film ''[[Katha Sangama (1976 film)|Katha Sangama]]'' (1977). His portrayal as "Thimmarayi" in the ''Munithaayi'' episode featuring [[Rajinikanth]] and [[Aarathi]] fetched him multiple laurels including the [[Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actor]]. Starting from here, Umesh was cast in a series of films from the 1980s to the 2000s. Some of his best remembered films include ''[[Nagara Hole]]'' (1978), ''[[Guru Shishyaru (1981 film)|Guru Shishyaru]]'' (1981), ''[[Anupama (1981 film)|Anupama]]'' (1981), ''[[Kaamana Billu]]'' (1983), ''[[Apoorva Sangama]]'' (1984), ''[[Shruthi Seridaaga]]'' (1987), ''[[Shravana Banthu]]'' (1984), ''[[Malaya Marutha]]'' (1986), ''[[Golmaal Radhakrishna]]'' (1990), ''[[Neenu Nakkare Haalu Sakkare]]'' (1993), ''[[Venkata in Sankata]]'' (2007) to name a few.


Umesh's comedy role as "Sithapathi" in the 1990 comedy film, ''[[Golmaal Radhakrishna]]'' starring [[Ananth Nag]] in the lead is considered one of the best comedy roles in Kannada cinema. His catchy dialogue "Apaartha Madkondbitro Eno" is widely acclaimed among the masses.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeLPxmvcRrA Golmaal Radhakrishna comedy scene video]</ref> His role as an old toothless widow grandmother in [[Ramesh Aravind]]'s directorial ''[[Venkata in Sankata]]'' was also widely appreciated.<ref>[http://www.rediff.com/movies/2009/jan/20first-look-ramesh-arvind-venkata-in-sankata.htm First Look: Ramesh Arvind's Venkata In Sankata]</ref>
Umesh's comedy role as "Sithapathi" in the 1990 comedy film, ''[[Golmaal Radhakrishna]]'' starring [[Ananth Nag]] in the lead is considered one of the best comedy roles in Kannada cinema. His catchy dialogue "Apaartha Madkondbitro Eno" is widely acclaimed among the masses.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeLPxmvcRrA Golmaal Radhakrishna comedy scene video]</ref> His role as an old toothless widow grandmother in [[Ramesh Aravind]]'s directorial ''[[Venkata in Sankata]]'' was also widely appreciated.<ref>[http://www.rediff.com/movies/2009/jan/20first-look-ramesh-arvind-venkata-in-sankata.htm First Look: Ramesh Arvind's Venkata In Sankata]</ref>
==Death==
Umesh died from liver cancer in a Bengaluru hospital on 30 November 2025, at the age of 80.<ref>[https://www.news9live.com/entertainment/veteran-kannada-actor-umesh-dies-2908063 Veteran Kannada actor Umesh passes away] News9Live</ref><ref>[https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/actor-umesh-passes-away-at-80-kannada-cinema-loses-a-beloved-comic-legend/articleshow/125668842.cms Actor Umesh passes away at 80; Kannada cinema loses a beloved comic legend]</ref>


==Selected filmography ==
==Selected filmography ==
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
# ''[[Makkala Rajya]]'' (1960)
* ''[[Makkala Rajya]]'' (1960)
# ''[[Katha Sangama]]'' (1977)
* ''[[Katha Sangama (1976 film)|Katha Sangama]]'' (1976)...Thimmaraya
# ''[[Nagara Hole]]'' (1977)
* ''[[Nagarahole (film)|Nagarahole]]'' (1977)
# ''[[Bhagyavantharu]]'' (1977)
* ''[[Bhagyavantharu]]'' (1977)
# ''Savalige Saval'' (1978)
* ''Savalige Saval'' (1978)
# ''[[Vasantha Lakshmi]]'' (1978)
* ''[[Vasantha Lakshmi]]'' (1978)
# ''[[Thappida Thala]]'' (1978)
* ''[[Thappida Thala]]'' (1978)
# ''[[Kiladi Jodi]]'' (1978)
* ''[[Kiladi Jodi]]'' (1978)
# ''[[Putani Agent 123]]'' (1979)
* ''[[Putani Agent 123]]'' (1979)
# ''[[Mutthu Ondu Mutthu]]'' (1979)
* ''[[Mutthu Ondu Mutthu]]'' (1979)
# ''Prema Anuraga'' (1980)
* ''[[Madhu Chandra]]'' (1979)...Hanuma
# ''[[Haavina Hede]]'' (1981)
* ''Prema Anuraga'' (1980)
# ''[[Guru Shishyaru]]'' (1981)
* ''[[Haavina Hede]]'' (1981)
# ''[[Bhoomige Banda Bhagavantha]]'' (1981)
* ''[[Guru Shishyaru (1981 film)|Guru Shishyaru]]'' (1981)
# ''[[Bangarada Mane]]'' (1981)
* ''[[Bhoomige Banda Bhagavantha]]'' (1981)
# ''[[Anupama (1981 film)|Anupama]]'' (1981)
* ''[[Bangarada Mane]]'' (1981)
# ''[[Antha (film)|Antha]]'' (1981)
* ''[[Anupama (1981 film)|Anupama]]'' (1981)
# ''[[Suvarna Sethuve]]'' (1982)
* ''[[Antha (film)|Antha]]'' (1981)
# ''Prema Mathsara'' (1982)
* ''[[Suvarna Sethuve]]'' (1982)
# ''[[Nanna Devaru]]'' (1982)
* ''Prema Mathsara'' (1982)
# ''[[Haalu Jenu]]'' (1982)
* ''[[Nanna Devaru]]'' (1982)
# ''[[Simha Garjane]]'' (1983)
* ''[[Haalu Jenu]]'' (1982)
# ''[[Kalluveene Nudiyithu]]'' (1983)
* ''[[Simha Garjane]]'' (1983)
# ''[[Kaamana Billu]]'' (1983)
* ''[[Kalluveene Nudiyithu]]'' (1983)
# ''[[Ibbani Karagithu]]'' (1983)
* ''[[Kaamana Billu]]'' (1983)
# ''[[Hasida Hebbuli]]'' (1983)
* ''[[Ibbani Karagithu]]'' (1983)
# ''[[Gandharva Giri]]'' (1983)
* ''[[Hasida Hebbuli]]'' (1983)
# ''[[Eradu Nakshatragalu]]'' (1983)
* ''[[Gandharva Giri]]'' (1983)
# ''[[Bhakta Prahlada (1983 film)|Bhakta Prahlada]]'' (1983)
* ''[[Eradu Nakshatragalu]]'' (1983)
# ''[[Avala Neralu]]'' (1983)
* ''[[Bhakta Prahlada (1983 film)|Bhakta Prahlada]]'' (1983)
# ''[[Pralayanthaka]]'' (1984)
* ''[[Avala Neralu]]'' (1983)
# ''[[Prachanda Kulla]]'' (1984)
* ''[[Pralayanthaka]]'' (1984)
# ''[[Gandu Bherunda]]'' (1984)
* ''[[Prachanda Kulla]]'' (1984)
# ''[[Shravana Banthu]]'' (1984)
* ''[[Gandu Bherunda]]'' (1984)
# ''[[Benki Birugali (1984 film)|Benki Birugali]]'' (1984)
* ''[[Shravana Banthu]]'' (1984)
# ''[[Apoorva Sangama]]'' (1984)
* ''[[Benki Birugali (1984 film)|Benki Birugali]]'' (1984)
# ''[[Malaya Marutha]]'' (1986)
* ''[[Apoorva Sangama]]'' (1984)
# ''[[Shruthi Seridaaga]]'' (1987)
* ''[[Nanna Prathigne]]'' (1985)...Chenna
# ''[[Challenge Gopalakrishna]]'' (1990)
* ''[[Malaya Marutha]]'' (1986)
# ''[[Golmaal Radhakrishna]]'' (1990)
* ''[[Shruthi Seridaaga]]'' (1987)
# ''[[Rani Maharani]]'' (1990)
* ''[[Challenge Gopalakrishna]]'' (1990)
# ''[[Raja Kempu Roja]]'' (1990)
* ''[[Golmaal Radhakrishna]]'' (1990)...Sithapathi
# ''[[Policena Hendthi]]'' (1990)
* ''[[Rani Maharani]]'' (1990)
# ''[[Neenu Nakkare Haalu Sakkare]]'' (1991)
* ''[[Raja Kempu Roja]]'' (1990)
# ''[[Gauri Ganesha]]'' (1991)
* ''[[Policena Hendthi]]'' (1990)
# ''[[Kollur Kala]]'' (1991)
* ''[[Neenu Nakkare Haalu Sakkare]]'' (1991)
# ''[[Hatyakanda]]'' (1991)
* ''Golmaal Part 2'' (1991)...Sithapathi
# ''Banni Ondsala Nodi'' (1992)
* ''[[Gauri Ganesha]]'' (1991)
# ''Ksheera Sagara'' (1992)
* ''[[Kollur Kala]]'' (1991)
# ''[[Megha Mandara]]'' (1992)
* ''[[Hatyakanda]]'' (1991)
# ''[[Sahasi (film)|Sahasi]]'' (1992)
* ''Banni Ondsala Nodi'' (1992)
# ''[[Kaliyuga Seethe]]'' (1992)
* ''Ksheera Sagara'' (1992)
# ''[[Prema Sangama]]'' (1992)
* ''[[Gruhalakshmi (1992 film)|Gruhalakshmi]]'' (1992)
# ''[[Tharle Nan Maga]]'' (1992)
* ''[[Megha Mandara]]'' (1992)
# ''[[Saptapadi (1992 film)|Sapthapadi]]'' (1992)
* ''[[Sahasi (film)|Sahasi]]'' (1992)
# ''[[Ondu Cinema Kathe]]'' (1992)
* ''[[Kaliyuga Seethe]]'' (1992)
# ''[[Belliyappa Bangarappa]]'' (1992)
* ''[[Prema Sangama]]'' (1992)
# ''[[Mallige Hoove]]'' (1992)
* ''[[Tharle Nan Maga]]'' (1992)
# ''[[Server Somanna]]'' (1993)
* ''[[Saptapadi (1992 film)|Sapthapadi]]'' (1992)...Krishna Murthy
# ''[[Kalyana Rekhe]]'' (1993)
* ''[[Ondu Cinema Kathe]]'' (1992)
# ''[[Time Bomb (1994 film)|Time Bomb]]'' (1994)
* ''[[Belliyappa Bangarappa]]'' (1992)
# ''Hello Sister'' (1995)
* ''[[Mallige Hoove]]'' (1992)
# ''[[Himapatha]]'' (1995)
* ''[[Undu Hoda Kondu Hoda]]'' (1992)...Katra
# ''Geluvina Saradara'' (1996)
* ''[[Akasmika]]'' (1993)...Sridhar
# ''Nannaseya Hoove'' (1999)
* ''[[Server Somanna]]'' (1993)
# ''[[Hagalu Vesha]]'' (2000)
* ''[[Kalyana Rekhe]]'' (1993)
# ''Sundara Purusha'' (2000)
* ''[[Time Bomb (1994 film)|Time Bomb]]'' (1994)
# ''[[Jokefalls]]'' (2004)
* ''Gold Medal'' (1994)...'Buddhivanta'
# ''[[Pandu Ranga Vittala]]'' (2005)
* ''[[Megha Maale]]'' (1994)
# ''[[Seven O' Clock]]'' (2006)
* ''Hello Sister'' (1995)
# ''Savira Mettilu'' (2006)
* ''[[Himapatha]]'' (1995)
# ''[[Sajni (film)|Sajni]]'' (2007)
* ''Geluvina Saradara'' (1996)
# ''Ganesha Matthe Banda'' (2008)
* ''[[Hello Yama]]'' (1998)
# ''[[Mussanjemaatu]]'' (2008)
* ''[[Nannaseya Hoove]]'' (1999)
# ''[[Venkata in Sankata]]'' (2009)
* ''[[Hagalu Vesha]]'' (2000)
# ''[[Crazy Kutumba]]'' (2010)
* ''Sundara Purusha'' (2000)
# ''[[Aithalakkadi]]'' (2010)
* ''[[Astra (2000 film)|Astra]]'' (2000)
# ''[[Jackie (2010 film)|Jackie]]'' (2010)
* ''[[Balagalittu Olage Baa]]'' (2002)
# ''[[Mathond Madhuvena]]'' (2011)
* ''[[Jokefalls]]'' (2004)
# ''[[Gun (2011 film)|Gun]]'' (2011)
* ''[[Pandu Ranga Vittala]]'' (2005)
# ''[[Rambo (2012 film)|Rambo]]'' (2012)
* ''[[Seven O' Clock]]'' (2006)
# ''[[Lucky (2012 Kannada film)|Lucky]]'' (2012)
* ''[[Shubham (film)|Shubham]]'' (2006)
# ''Chellapilli'' (2013)
* ''Savira Mettilu'' (2006)
# ''Navarangi'' (2014)
* ''[[Sajni (film)|Sajni]]'' (2007)
# ''Gandhiji Kanasu'' (2014)
* ''Ganesha Matthe Banda'' (2008)
# ''[[Pungi Daasa]]'' (2014)
* ''[[Mussanjemaatu]]'' (2008)
# ''[[Siddhartha (2015 film)|Siddhartha]]'' (2015)
* ''[[Venkata in Sankata]]'' (2009)
# ''[[Ond Chance Kodi]]'' (2015)
* ''[[Crazy Kutumba]]'' (2010)
# ''[[Charlie (2015 Kannada film)|Charlie]]'' (2015)
* ''[[Aithalakkadi]]'' (2010)
# ''CBI Sathya'' (2016)
* ''[[Jackie (2010 film)|Jackie]]'' (2010)
# ''Mahaveera Machideva'' (2016)
* ''[[Mathond Madhuvena]]'' (2011)
# ''Thale Bachkolli Powder Hakkolli'' (2016)
* ''[[Gun (2011 film)|Gun]]'' (2011)
# ''[[Badmaash (2016 film)|Badmaash]]'' (2016)
* ''[[Rambo (2012 film)|Rambo]]'' (2012)
# ''No Entry'' (2016)
* ''[[Lucky (2012 Kannada film)|Lucky]]'' (2012)
# ''[[John Jani Janardhan (2016 film)|John Jani Janardhan]]'' (2016)
* ''[[Chandra (film)|Chandra]]'' (2013)
# ''Sri Omkara Ayyappane'' (2016)
* ''[[Chella Pilli]]'' (2013)
# ''[[Bhootayyana Mommaga Ayyu]]'' (2018)
* ''Navarangi'' (2014)
* ''Gandhiji Kanasu'' (2014)
* ''[[Pungi Daasa]]'' (2014)
* ''[[Siddhartha (2015 film)|Siddhartha]]'' (2015)
* ''[[Ond Chance Kodi]]'' (2015)
* ''[[Charlie (2015 Kannada film)|Charlie]]'' (2015)
* ''[[Mumtaz (film)|Mumtaz]]'' (2015)
* ''CBI Sathya'' (2016)
* ''Mahaveera Machideva'' (2016)
* ''Thale Bachkolli Powder Hakkolli'' (2016)
* ''[[Badmaash (2016 film)|Badmaash]]'' (2016)
* ''No Entry'' (2016)
* ''[[John Jani Janardhan (2016 film)|John Jani Janardhan]]'' (2016)
* ''Sri Omkara Ayyappane'' (2016)
* ''[[Once More Kaurava]]'' (2017)
* ''[[Bhootayyana Mommaga Ayyu]]'' (2018)
* ''[[Kumari 21F (2018 film)|Kumari 21F]]'' (2018)
* ''[[Paradesi C/o London]]'' (2018)
* ''[[Daredevil Musthafa]]'' (2023)
{{div col end|3}}
{{div col end|3}}


==Awards==
==Awards==
* 1975 - [[Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actor]] - ''[[Katha Sangama]]''
* 1975 – [[Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actor]] – ''[[Katha Sangama (1976 film)|Katha Sangama]]''
* 2013 - Karnataka Nataka Akademy Award - for his contribution to the professional theatre.
* 2013 – Karnataka Nataka Akademy Award – for his contribution to the professional theatre.


==References==
==References==
Line 138: Line 162:


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://chiloka.com/celebrity/umesh-kannada# Umesh profile at Chitraloka]
* {{IMDb name|4167153}}
*[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4167153/ Umesh IMDB profile]


{{authority control}}
{{authority control}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Umesh, M. S.}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Umesh, M. S.}}
[[Category:1945 births]]
[[Category:1945 births]]
[[Category:2025 deaths]]
[[Category:Male actors from Mysore]]
[[Category:Male actors from Mysore]]
[[Category:Indian male comedians]]
[[Category:Indian male comedians]]
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[[Category:Male actors in Kannada cinema]]
[[Category:Male actors in Kannada cinema]]
[[Category:Indian male film actors]]
[[Category:Indian male film actors]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Film producers from Karnataka]]
[[Category:Film producers from Karnataka]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian male actors]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian male actors]]
Line 156: Line 179:
[[Category:Kannada film directors]]
[[Category:Kannada film directors]]
[[Category:Film directors from Karnataka]]
[[Category:Film directors from Karnataka]]
[[Category:Karnataka State Film Award winners]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Rajyotsava Award 2010]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Rajyotsava Award 2010]]
[[Category:Deaths from liver cancer in India]]

Latest revision as of 04:24, 25 March 2026


M. S. Umesh
Umesh in 2023
Born(1945-04-24)24 April 1945
Mysore, Kingdom of Mysore, India
Died30 November 2025(2025-11-30) (aged 80)
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Occupation
  • Actor
  • producer
  • director
Years active1960–2023

Mysore Srikantayya Umesh (24 April 1945 – 30 November 2025), popularly known as M. S. Umesh or simply Umesh, was an Indian actor in Kannada cinema who had a career spanning over six decades.[1] After having featured in several stage shows as an actor in his childhood, he was hired for the lead character in the film Makkala Rajya (1960). Thereafter, he acted in over 350 feature films. Brother of actor MS Sathya, Umesh was renowned for his unique dialogue delivery, facial expressions and comedy timing. He was also the music director of the television serial Jeevanada Jenahanigalu produced by Sundar Raj.[2]

Background[edit | edit source]

Umesh was born on 24 April 1945 to A. L. Srikantayya and Nanjamma. His basic schooling was in Mysore where he was drawn towards theatre and stage performances. At the age of 4, he joined the popular theatre troupe run by K. Hirannaiah. Soon he joined the more famous Gubbi Veeranna's company and performed various roles as a child artist. It was in one such stage plays that the then assistant director Puttanna Kanagal noticed him and recommended his name to B. R. Panthulu's next film.[3]

Umesh's first appearance as an actor on the silver screen was with Makkala Rajya in 1960 directed by veteran actor-director B. R. Panthulu for his Padmini films banner. This was also the second film produced by M. V. Rajamma.[citation needed] This film also featured veteran Tamil actor Sivaji Ganesan in a cameo role.

Career[edit | edit source]

After the superhit debut film, Umesh who was 15, could no longer feature in child roles nor in adult roles, either. He moved back to stage shows and took up jobs which included some back stage labour works. He struggled to find himself a good role in drama plays too. It was then that Puttanna Kanagal again came to his rescue and cast him in his anthology film Katha Sangama (1977). His portrayal as "Thimmarayi" in the Munithaayi episode featuring Rajinikanth and Aarathi fetched him multiple laurels including the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actor. Starting from here, Umesh was cast in a series of films from the 1980s to the 2000s. Some of his best remembered films include Nagara Hole (1978), Guru Shishyaru (1981), Anupama (1981), Kaamana Billu (1983), Apoorva Sangama (1984), Shruthi Seridaaga (1987), Shravana Banthu (1984), Malaya Marutha (1986), Golmaal Radhakrishna (1990), Neenu Nakkare Haalu Sakkare (1993), Venkata in Sankata (2007) to name a few.

Umesh's comedy role as "Sithapathi" in the 1990 comedy film, Golmaal Radhakrishna starring Ananth Nag in the lead is considered one of the best comedy roles in Kannada cinema. His catchy dialogue "Apaartha Madkondbitro Eno" is widely acclaimed among the masses.[4] His role as an old toothless widow grandmother in Ramesh Aravind's directorial Venkata in Sankata was also widely appreciated.[5]

Death[edit | edit source]

Umesh died from liver cancer in a Bengaluru hospital on 30 November 2025, at the age of 80.[6][7]

Selected filmography[edit | edit source]

Awards[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Veteran Kannada actor Umesh is living in poverty
  2. ↑ https://m.youtube.com/watch?si=3ogHes1hDyAl97q9&v=laT2SE-lH58&feature=youtu.be
  3. ↑ He has many stories to tell
  4. ↑ Golmaal Radhakrishna comedy scene video
  5. ↑ First Look: Ramesh Arvind's Venkata In Sankata
  6. ↑ Veteran Kannada actor Umesh passes away News9Live
  7. ↑ Actor Umesh passes away at 80; Kannada cinema loses a beloved comic legend

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