Ambareesh
**Malavalli Huchchegowda Amarnath** (29 May 1952 – 24 November 2018), widely revered by his screen name **Ambareesh**, was a legendary Indian actor, playback singer, and politician who bestrode Kannada cinema and regional public life for over four decades. Affectionately hailed by millions of fans as *Rebel Star*, *Mandyada Gandu*, and *Kaliyuga Karna* for his fiery on-screen persona, charismatic swagger, and legendary real-life generosity, he stood as one of the towering cultural icons of Karnataka alongside Dr. Rajkumar and Vishnuvardhan. Born in Doddarasinakere near Maddur in the Mandya district of Karnataka, Ambareesh hailed from a distinguished lineage as the grandson of the renowned violinist and music maestro Pitambaram Chowdiah. Raised in Mysore, he was introduced to cinema by celebrated director Puttanna Kanagal, who discovered him and cast him as the defiant youth Jaleela in the classic *Nagarahavu* (1972). Ambareesh's portrayal made his cigarette-flicking style and signature punchline "Haavina Dvesha Hanneradu Varusha" instant pop culture sensations, immediately establishing him as a rebellious screen presence. Throughout the 1970s, he excelled in antagonistic and supporting roles across landmark films such as *Paduvaaralli Pandavaru* (1978), *Ranganayaki* (1981), and *Katha Sangama* (1976). His transition to a full-fledged action hero came in the early 1980s, driven by the massive commercial success of *Antha* (1981), where his hard-hitting performance as the honest cop Kanwar Lal exposed systemic corruption and earned him the enduring moniker *Rebel Star*. He went on to dominate the box office throughout the 1980s and 1990s with blockbusters including *Chakravyuha* (1983), *Elu Suttina Kote* (1987), *Olavina Udugore* (1987), *Hongkongnalli Agent Amar* (1989), *Hrudaya Haadithu* (1991), *Mannina Doni* (1992), and *Odahuttidavaru* (1994). In the latter half of his career, he seamlessly stepped into commanding patriarchal and authoritative figures, delivering memorable performances in films like *Diggajaru* (2001), *Kallarali Hoovagi* (2006), *Veera Madakari* (2009), *Drama* (2012), *Bulbul* (2013), and his milestone 500th theatrical appearance in *Kurukshetra* (2019) as Bheeshma. His cinematic contributions were recognized with multiple Karnataka State Film Awards, Filmfare Awards South, and the prestigious **Dr. Rajkumar Lifetime Achievement Award** in 2005. Parallel to his cinematic reign, Ambareesh built a formidable political career rooted in his native Mandya, serving as a three-time Member of Parliament in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, and later as the Minister for Housing in the Government of Karnataka. Married to acclaimed actress Sumalatha Ambareesh, he remained the undisputed patriarch and conciliator of the Kannada film industry until his passing in Bengaluru in November 2018.
Known For
Credits
- 2019 · Kurukshetra as Bheeshma
- 2018 · Ambi Ning Vayassaytho as Ambi
- 2018 · Rajasimha as
- 2016 · Doddmane Hudga as Doddmane Rajeeva
- 2014 · Ambareesha as
- 2014 · Weekend With Ramesh as Himself
- 2013 · Bulbul as Amarnath
- 2012 · Drama as Bulbul, Cameo appearance
- 2012 · Katari Veera Surasundarangi as Yamadharma Raja
- 2010 · Veera Parampare as
- 2010 · Matthe Mungaaru as
- 2007 · Ee Preethi Yeke Bhoomi Melide as
- 2006 · Kallarali Hoovagi as Madakari Nayaka
- 2006 · Thandege Thakka Maga as
- 2003 · Annavru as Amarnath a.k.a. Anna
- 2001 · Sri Manjunatha as Ambikeswara Maharaju
- 2001 · Diggajaru as Chikkayya / Mutthayya
- 2001 · Vande Matharam as CBI Officer Yashwanth
- 2000 · Devara Maga as Raje Gowda
- 1999 · Habba as Ambi
- 1995 · Operation Antha as
- 1995 · Karulina Kudi as
- 1995 · Kalyanotsava as Seena
- 1994 · Mandyada Gandu as
- 1994 · Odahuttidavaru as
- 1994 · Musuku as
- 1993 · Suryodaya as
- 1993 · Midida Hrudayagalu as
- 1992 · Solillada Saradara as
- 1992 · Mysore Jaana as
- 1992 · Saptapadi as Sudhakar
- 1991 · Rowdy & MLA as
- 1991 · Garuda Dhwaja as
- 1991 · Hrudaya Hadithu as Dr. Prasad
- 1990 · Ekalavya as
- 1990 · Chakravarthy as
- 1990 · Thrinethra as
- 1990 · Kempu Gulabi as
- 1990 · Red Sun as
- 1990 · Aasegobba Meesegobba as Special Appearance
- 1990 · Ranabheri as
- 1990 · Nammoora Hammeera as Gopi
- 1990 · Mathsara as
- 1990 · Uthkarsha as Inspector Naveen
- 1990 · Rani Maharani as
- 1989 · Jai Karnataka as
- 1989 · Indrajith as Indrajith
- 1989 · Samsaara Nouke as
- 1989 · Hongkongnalli Agent Amar as Agent Amar
- 1988 · Arjun as Arjun
- 1988 · Thayigobba Karna as
- 1988 · Sangliyana as
- 1988 · Ramanna Shamanna as Raam
- 1988 · Vijaya Khadga as
- 1988 · Praja Prabhuthva as
- 1988 · New Delhi as
- 1988 · Brahma Vishnu Maheshwara as Brahmendra
- 1987 · Nava Bharatha as
- 1987 · Aapadbandhava as
- 1987 · Bedi as
- 1987 · Inspector Kranthikumar as
- 1987 · Digvijaya as Inspector Arjun
- 1987 · Anthima Theerpu as
- 1987 · Mr. Raja as
- 1987 · Prema Kadambari as
- 1987 · Olavina Udugore as
- 1987 · Bazar Bheema as
- 1987 · Premaloka as Hotel supplier
- 1987 · Poorna Chandra as Chandra
- 1987 · Elu Suttina Kote as Anand
- 1986 · Vishwaroopa as
- 1986 · Bete as
- 1986 · Matthondu Charithre as
- 1986 · Preethi as
- 1986 · Brahmastra as
- 1986 · Mrugaalaya as
- 1986 · Sathkara as
- 1986 · Madhura Bandhavya as
- 1985 · Mamatheya Madilu as Dr. Anand
- 1985 · Devarelliddane as
- 1985 · Masanada Hoovu as Singaru
- 1985 · Giri Baale as
- 1985 · Devara Mane as
- 1985 · Sneha Sambandha as
- 1985 · Chaduranga as
- 1985 · Amara Jyothi as
- 1985 · Shabash Vikram as Vikram
- 1985 · Aahuthi as
- 1985 · Guru Jagadguru as
- 1985 · Goonda Guru as
- 1984 · Mooru Janma as
- 1984 · Kalinga Sarpa as
- 1984 · Rowdy Raja as
- 1984 · Shapatha as
- 1984 · Onde Raktha as
- 1984 · Sidilu as
- 1984 · Onti Dhwani as
- 1984 · Guru Bhakti as
- 1984 · Ganda Bherunda as Biju
- 1984 · Naane Raja as Inspector Raghu
- 1984 · Gajendra as
- 1983 · Dharma Yuddha as
- 1983 · Hasida Hebbuli as
- 1983 · Geluvu Nannade as
- 1983 · Maneli Ramanna Beedili Kamanna as
- 1983 · Maththe Vasantha as
- 1983 · Chakravyuha as Amarnath
- 1983 · Avala Neralu as
- 1983 · Hosa Theerpu as
- 1983 · Jaggu as
- 1983 · Aasha as
- 1983 · Thirugu Baana as
- 1982 · Khadeema Kallaru as Raja
- 1982 · Tony as Tony Malcolm
- 1982 · Ajith as
- 1982 · Maava Sose Savaal as
- 1982 · Prema Mathsara as
- 1982 · Snehada Sankole as
- 1982 · Shankar Sundar as
- 1982 · Gaanam as
- 1981 · Bhari Bharjari Bete as
- 1981 · Snehithara Saval as
- 1981 · Maha Prachandaru as
- 1981 · Avala Hejje as
- 1981 · Ranganayaki as Ramanna
- 1981 · Leader Vishwanath as
- 1981 · Antha as Police Officer
- 1980 · Driver Hanumanthu as
- 1980 · Nyaya Neethi Dharma as
- 1980 · Ondu Hennu Aaru Kannu as
- 1980 · Subbi Subbakka Suvvalali as
- 1980 · Vajrada Jalapatha as
- 1980 · Dhairya Lakshmi as
- 1979 · Putaani Agents 123 as
- 1979 · Kamala as
- 1979 · Pakka Kalla as
- 1979 · Savathiya Neralu as
- 1978 · Priya as
- 1978 · Thai Meethu Sathiyam as
- 1978 · Amarnath as Amarnath
- 1978 · Balu Aparoopa Nam Jodi as
- 1978 · Kiladi Jodi as Guest Appearance
- 1978 · Sneha Sedu as
- 1978 · Paduvaaralli Pandavaru as Kariya
- 1978 · Muyyige Muyyi as Peter
- 1978 · Sirithanakke Saval as
- 1978 · Havina Hejje as
- 1978 · Halli Haida as
- 1978 · Kudure Mukha as Dhoomappa
- 1977 · Banashankari as
- 1977 · Kumkuma Rakshe as
- 1977 · Mugdha Manava as
- 1977 · Chinna Ninna Muddaduve as
- 1977 · Maagiya Kanasu as
- 1977 · Nagarahole as
- 1977 · Dhanalakshmi as
- 1977 · Manassinanthe Mangalya as
- 1976 · Kanasu Nanasu as
- 1976 · Bangarada Gudi as Kamalesh
- 1976 · Hudugatada Hudugi as
- 1976 · Hosilu Mettida Hennu as
- 1975 · Bhagya Jyothi as
- 1975 · Naga Kanye as
- 1975 · Onde Roopa Eradu Guna as
- 1975 · Shubhamangala as Mooga
- 1975 · Bili Hendthi as
- 1975 · Devara Kannu as Sridhar
- 1974 · Mahadeshwara Pooja Phala as
- 1974 · Vishnu Vijayam as
- 1974 · Zehreela Insaan as Jaleel
- 1974 · Chamundeshwari Mahime as
- 1973 · Pookkari as Ravi
- 1973 · Seetheyalla Savithri as
- 1973 · Bangarada Kalla as Ravi's Friend
- 1972 · Naagarahaavu as Jaleela