Veteran Kannada actor, producer and singer Rattihalli Nagendra Sudarshan (78), popular known as R.N. Sudarshan, breathed his last on Friday at a private hospital. He is survived by his wife actor Shylashree. He had been ailing from kidney-related problems for sometime now.
Fourth son of R. Nagendra Rao, one of the pioneers of Kannada cinema, Sudarshan has worked in over 250 films in various capacities. In his five decade film career, Sudarshan acted in Kannada, Tamil, Hindi, Telugu and Malayalam films. He was one of the villains in Nayagan directed by Manirathnam. His last film was Super (2010) by Upendra in Kannada.
He entered the industry as a protagonist in Vijayanagarada Veeraputra produced and directed by his father Nagendra Rao in 1961. He has shared the screen space with all the legendary Kannada actors including Dr. Rajkumar, Udaykumar and Kalyankumar. More than protagonist, he has acted as villain in many films and was known for doing the role of conjurer in films made on folklore.
Music lovers still remember him for songs such as Hoovandu Balibandu and Irabeku, Irabeku, Ariyada, which he sung in Shubhamangala (1975) directed by Puttanna and songs from his own film Naguva Hoovu (1971).
Sudarshan also acted on the small screen in multiple languages. He was essaying role of a seer in Agnisakshi, being telecast by Kannada entertainment channel.
