Veteran filmmaker SK Bhagavan passes away at 89 in Bengaluru

Kannada Filmmaker S. K. Bhagavān passed away on Monday morning at the age of 89. The veteran director died of age-related ailments in Bengaluru. On Monday morning (February 20), Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai took to Twitter to confirm his death.

He wrote a message in Kannada which translates to, “Reputed director of Kannada film industry Shri S. K. I was very saddened to hear the news of Bhagavān's death. I pray for his soul. I pray that God gives strength to his family to bear this pain.”

He continued, “The Dorai-Bhagavan duo has given Kannada cinema many tasteful films. Dr and his friend Dorai Raj directed 55 films including 'Kasthuri Niwas', 'Eradu Soyam', 'Bayalu Dari', 'Giri Kanye', 'Hosa Lekuk' starring Rajkumar. Om Shantih.”

During his career, Bhagavān directed 49 films and some of them with his collaborator B. Dorai Raj. The duo was popularly known as Dorai-Bhagavan. They have directed many movies like Kasturi Nivasa, Eradu Kanasu, Bayaludaari, Gaalimaatu and other Bond movies like Goa Dalli C.I.D 999, Operation Jackpot Nalli C.I.D 999 and Operation Diamond Racket with Rajkumar.

Bhagavān directed his 50th film himself, which turned out to be his last film in 2019.