V. Somashekhar

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V. Somashekhar
Native name ವೆಂಕಟಪ್ಪ ಸೋಮಶೇಖರ್
Born Venkatappa Somashekhar
(1937-07-27)27 July 1937
Chikkanahalli, Bangalore Rural district, Kingdom of Mysore, British India
Died Script error: The function "death_date_and_age" does not exist.
Bangalore, India
Cause of death Kidney failure
Residence Jalahalli, Bangalore, India
Nationality Indian
Other names V. Somasekharan
Occupation Film director, producer, screenwriter
Spouse(s) Gowramma
Children 3
Parent(s) Venkatappa
Munithayamma
Awards Puttanna Kanagal Award (2001)

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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 that includes commercial successes such as Premada Kanike (1976), Shankar Guru (1978), Seetharamu (1979) and Chakravyuha (1983).[1]

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.[2]

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 artiste. 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 that stars 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 also said to be instrumental in building the career of Shankar Nag, directing him in films such as Seetharamu (1979), Aarada Gaaya (1980) and Devara Aata (1981). He directed Ambarish in the 1983 film Chakravyuha, a commercial success during the time and was said to have revived the latter's career following a series of failures.[3] With Vishnuvardhan, he worked in the 1980 film, Kalinga and Chanakya (1984). Other popular films directed by him include Point Parimala (1980), Ranaranga (1988) and S. P. Bhargavi (1981).[1]

Final years and death

Following his film career as a director after retiring in 1992, Somashekhar associated himself with Kannada cinema as the President of Kannada Film Directors Association and as a working committee member of 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 the time. He died on August 22, 2003, at a hospital in St. John's Medical College, Bangalore.[3]

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 SP 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

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External links