M. S. Umesh

M. S. Umesh Biography

M. S. Umesh is a veteran actor associated with Kannada film industry. His full name is Mysore Srikantayya Umesh. In a career spanning to 5 decades Umesh acted in more than 350 films, predominantly in comic roles. He made his film debut in the year 1960 as the supporting actor for Makkala Rajya and later gained success through character roles, mostly comic ones. He got opportunity to work with B. R. Panthulu, Sivaji Ganesan and Nagesh in his debut film.

Still active in film scene, Mahaveera Machideva and Charlie (Kannada) are his latest releases. In 1975 he received Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for the movie - Katha Sangama. In 2013 he was honoured by Karnataka Nataka Akademy. It’s bit shocking that this veteran actor who has entertained audience for the past five decades is living in penury and works for earn a living and to pay hospital bills. Golmaal Radhakrishna released in 1990 is known for its hilarious comedy scenes of Umesh. He played an old toothless widow grandmother in 2009 movie Venkata in Sankata, which earned him appreciation.

He was born in 1945 in Mysore. Since younger days he was drawn towards theater and started his acting career as a child artist through stage shows at the age of four. Since then he has worked with many troupes as a child artist. He was also associated with Gubbi Veeranna's theatre company. He was spotted by Puttanna Kanagal, an assistant director then, in one of the stage shows he played in the late 1950s. He recommended Umesh’s name to B. R. Panthulu who gave him the first break through 1960 movie - Makkala Rajya. He was 15 when he made his silver screen debut.

As he was in the teens he couldn’t find either child role or adult role and he continued with his stage plays for a while. Once again he was given an opportunity by Puttanna Kanagal in 1977 after a long break of 17 years. Katha Sangama (1977) marked his comeback and since then he regularly featured in films. Some of his noted performances include – Nagara Hole, Guru Shishyaru, Anupama, Kaamana Billu, Apoorva Sangama, Shruthi Seridaaga, Shravana Banthu, Malaya Marutha, Golmaal Radhakrishna, Neenu Nakkare Haalu Sakkare etc.

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Updated: March 27, 2016