Kannada film producer K.C.N. Chandrashekhar, popular as K.C.N. Chandru in film circles, passed away in Bengaluru late on Sunday. He was 69.
The producer was admitted to a private hospital in Bengaluru where he was undergoing treatment. He succumbed to multiple organ failures, according to reports.
His family banner had produced some of the best known Kannada films, including those starring Rajkumar. Mr. Chandrashekhar carried forward the legacy of his father K.C.N. Gowda, who started the banner KCN Movies.
Some of the blockbusters produced by the banner included “Sharapanjara”, “Kasturi Nivasa”, “Babruvahana”, “Huliya Halina Mevu”, “Dari Thappida Maga” and “Anta” to name a few. The banner had also re-released colour versions of a few classics such as “Kasturi Nivasa.” Mr. Chandrashekhar was also a distributor and owned cinema houses in Bengaluru.
Mr. Chandrasekhar was chairman of the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce thrice. He had also headed the South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce (SIFCC). He had served on several other State- and national-level film bodies.
Condoling Mr. Chandrashekar’s demise, Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa said in his death the Kannada film industry has lost a great film-maker.
A host of film personalities condoled the passing away of Mr. Chandrashekhar. Actor Sudeep described him as a man respected hugely by the film fraternity across India. Actor and activist Chetan Kumar said in a social media post, “In 1977 his banner produced popular film ‘Babruvahana’. When I was 4 yrs old, I enacted legendary dialogue between father-son Arjuna & #Babruvahana across US. Mr Chandrashekar was kind, hospitable whenever we spoke.”
