S. Siddalingaiah

Siddalingaiah
Born	1936
Died	12 March 2015 (aged 78–79) Bangalore, India
Cause of death	Swine influenza and ulcer
Nationality	Indian
Occupation	Writer, film director and producer
Years active	1969–1999
Children	Murali (son)
Relatives	Adharvaa (grandson)

S. Siddalingaiah (1936 – 12 March 2015) was an Indian film director and writer in the Kannada film industry. He made his directorial debut in 1969 with Mayor Muthanna. He directed films including Bangaarada Manushya (1972) and Bhootayyana Maga Ayyu (1974). He frequently starred actor Rajkumar.

In 1993–94, he was awarded the Puttanna Kanagal Award for his contribution to the Kannada film industry as a director.

Siddalingaiah joined the film industry as both a floor and a spot boy for Navajyothi studios. He became an assistant for director Shanker Singh and later worked as junior actor and assistant as the protege of B. Vittalacharya.

Siddalingaiah's son Murali was an actor in Tamil films. Murali died on the morning of 8 September 2010 in Chennai due to a massive heart attack. His grandson Atharvaa started his acting career in Baana Kaathadi in 2010.

Siddalingaiah directed Mayor Muthanna in 1969 starring Rajkumar, Bharathi and Dwarakish in his film debut. He cast the same lead pair in Baalu Belagithu, Namma Samsara, Thayi Devaru and Bangaarada Manushya.

After Bangaarda Manushya, he worked with other actors including Vishnuvardhan, Ananth Nag, Lokesh and Srinivasa Murthy. He introduced his son Murali in the 1983 romantic drama Prema Parva. He also directed a Tamil film Puthir in 1986 with Murali as the lead actor. His last film, Prema Prema Prema, was released in 1999 after which he retired from directing.

...
Wikipedia