OlivaWilhite3 at 22:54, 24 March 2026

2026-03-24T22:54:09Z

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{{Short description|Indian actor (1945–2025)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2017}}
{{Infobox person
| name = M. S. Umesh
| image = M. S. Umesh (2023).jpg
| caption = Umesh in 2023
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| birthname =
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1945|4|24|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Mysore]], Kingdom of Mysore, India
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2025|11|30|1945|4|24|df=y}}
| death_place = [[Bengaluru]], [[Karnataka]], India
| alma_mater =
| occupation = {{hlist|Actor|producer|director}}
| years active = 1960–2023
| spouse =
| awards =
}}

'''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>

==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 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]].{{Citation needed|date=February 2022}} This film also featured veteran Tamil actor [[Sivaji Ganesan]] in a cameo role.

==Career==
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>

==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 ==
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* ''[[Makkala Rajya]]'' (1960)
* ''[[Katha Sangama (1976 film)|Katha Sangama]]'' (1976)...Thimmaraya
* ''[[Nagarahole (film)|Nagarahole]]'' (1977)
* ''[[Bhagyavantharu]]'' (1977)
* ''Savalige Saval'' (1978)
* ''[[Vasantha Lakshmi]]'' (1978)
* ''[[Thappida Thala]]'' (1978)
* ''[[Kiladi Jodi]]'' (1978)
* ''[[Putani Agent 123]]'' (1979)
* ''[[Mutthu Ondu Mutthu]]'' (1979)
* ''[[Madhu Chandra]]'' (1979)...Hanuma
* ''Prema Anuraga'' (1980)
* ''[[Haavina Hede]]'' (1981)
* ''[[Guru Shishyaru (1981 film)|Guru Shishyaru]]'' (1981)
* ''[[Bhoomige Banda Bhagavantha]]'' (1981)
* ''[[Bangarada Mane]]'' (1981)
* ''[[Anupama (1981 film)|Anupama]]'' (1981)
* ''[[Antha (film)|Antha]]'' (1981)
* ''[[Suvarna Sethuve]]'' (1982)
* ''Prema Mathsara'' (1982)
* ''[[Nanna Devaru]]'' (1982)
* ''[[Haalu Jenu]]'' (1982)
* ''[[Simha Garjane]]'' (1983)
* ''[[Kalluveene Nudiyithu]]'' (1983)
* ''[[Kaamana Billu]]'' (1983)
* ''[[Ibbani Karagithu]]'' (1983)
* ''[[Hasida Hebbuli]]'' (1983)
* ''[[Gandharva Giri]]'' (1983)
* ''[[Eradu Nakshatragalu]]'' (1983)
* ''[[Bhakta Prahlada (1983 film)|Bhakta Prahlada]]'' (1983)
* ''[[Avala Neralu]]'' (1983)
* ''[[Pralayanthaka]]'' (1984)
* ''[[Prachanda Kulla]]'' (1984)
* ''[[Gandu Bherunda]]'' (1984)
* ''[[Shravana Banthu]]'' (1984)
* ''[[Benki Birugali (1984 film)|Benki Birugali]]'' (1984)
* ''[[Apoorva Sangama]]'' (1984)
* ''[[Nanna Prathigne]]'' (1985)...Chenna
* ''[[Malaya Marutha]]'' (1986)
* ''[[Shruthi Seridaaga]]'' (1987)
* ''[[Challenge Gopalakrishna]]'' (1990)
* ''[[Golmaal Radhakrishna]]'' (1990)...Sithapathi
* ''[[Rani Maharani]]'' (1990)
* ''[[Raja Kempu Roja]]'' (1990)
* ''[[Policena Hendthi]]'' (1990)
* ''[[Neenu Nakkare Haalu Sakkare]]'' (1991)
* ''Golmaal Part 2'' (1991)...Sithapathi
* ''[[Gauri Ganesha]]'' (1991)
* ''[[Kollur Kala]]'' (1991)
* ''[[Hatyakanda]]'' (1991)
* ''Banni Ondsala Nodi'' (1992)
* ''Ksheera Sagara'' (1992)
* ''[[Gruhalakshmi (1992 film)|Gruhalakshmi]]'' (1992)
* ''[[Megha Mandara]]'' (1992)
* ''[[Sahasi (film)|Sahasi]]'' (1992)
* ''[[Kaliyuga Seethe]]'' (1992)
* ''[[Prema Sangama]]'' (1992)
* ''[[Tharle Nan Maga]]'' (1992)
* ''[[Saptapadi (1992 film)|Sapthapadi]]'' (1992)...Krishna Murthy
* ''[[Ondu Cinema Kathe]]'' (1992)
* ''[[Belliyappa Bangarappa]]'' (1992)
* ''[[Mallige Hoove]]'' (1992)
* ''[[Undu Hoda Kondu Hoda]]'' (1992)...Katra
* ''[[Akasmika]]'' (1993)...Sridhar
* ''[[Server Somanna]]'' (1993)
* ''[[Kalyana Rekhe]]'' (1993)
* ''[[Time Bomb (1994 film)|Time Bomb]]'' (1994)
* ''Gold Medal'' (1994)...'Buddhivanta'
* ''[[Megha Maale]]'' (1994)
* ''Hello Sister'' (1995)
* ''[[Himapatha]]'' (1995)
* ''Geluvina Saradara'' (1996)
* ''[[Hello Yama]]'' (1998)
* ''[[Nannaseya Hoove]]'' (1999)
* ''[[Hagalu Vesha]]'' (2000)
* ''Sundara Purusha'' (2000)
* ''[[Astra (2000 film)|Astra]]'' (2000)
* ''[[Balagalittu Olage Baa]]'' (2002)
* ''[[Jokefalls]]'' (2004)
* ''[[Pandu Ranga Vittala]]'' (2005)
* ''[[Seven O' Clock]]'' (2006)
* ''[[Shubham (film)|Shubham]]'' (2006)
* ''Savira Mettilu'' (2006)
* ''[[Sajni (film)|Sajni]]'' (2007)
* ''Ganesha Matthe Banda'' (2008)
* ''[[Mussanjemaatu]]'' (2008)
* ''[[Venkata in Sankata]]'' (2009)
* ''[[Crazy Kutumba]]'' (2010)
* ''[[Aithalakkadi]]'' (2010)
* ''[[Jackie (2010 film)|Jackie]]'' (2010)
* ''[[Mathond Madhuvena]]'' (2011)
* ''[[Gun (2011 film)|Gun]]'' (2011)
* ''[[Rambo (2012 film)|Rambo]]'' (2012)
* ''[[Lucky (2012 Kannada film)|Lucky]]'' (2012)
* ''[[Chandra (film)|Chandra]]'' (2013)
* ''[[Chella Pilli]]'' (2013)
* ''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}}

==Awards==
* 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.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb name|4167153}}

{{authority control}}

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

M. S. Umesh - Revision history

OlivaWilhite3 at 22:54, 24 March 2026