Kannada Legendary Film Director S Umesh (79) Dies Due To Prolonged Kidney Disease; Condolences Pour In

Filmmaker S Umesh Dead: Popular Kannada director S Umesh, who is known for films like Avare Nanna Hendthi and Annayya Thammayya, breathed his last in Bengaluru on February 22. Condolences are pouring in from the fans of the Sandalwood industry and the fraternity over the demise of a remarkable filmmaker. S Umesh died of Kidney failure following a prolonged battle at 79.

The director had been suffering from ailments related to Kidney failure. Owing to the same, his organs began to give up one after the other, reportedly. Reports suggest that these physical diseases tormented him since the COVID-19 period, adding to his financial woes. In 2021, Umesh opened up about his financial struggle and sought help stating his Kidney disease.

Time and again, Umesh had also been vocal about how seniors in the industry are no longer valued. Sharing that he would need to get an injection worth Rs 2000 every five days, the director appealed to the unions and the public for support. In response, Manohari Naidu and Lahari Velu fromLahari Music Company donated Rs 1 Lakh towards his medical expenses, easing a bit of his challenges.

A report in News 18 quoted Bangalore Times telling that S Umesh was sustained all along using only medicines by the doctors and despite having a chronic Kidney malfunction, no procedures like dialysis were administered. It was learnt that Umesh had refrained from opting for it.

S Umesh began his career in Sandalwood as an assistant director in 1974. He also worked as a compiler. Later in 1988, Umesh directed his first film titled 'Avale Nanna Hendthi' starring Kashinath and Bhavya. The movie was a blockbuster and was remade in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi. Out of his three production ventures, only 'Banni Ondsala Nodi' was successful and he couldn't cash in on it, reportedly.

S Umesh's Funeral

As per the available information, the final rites of the director will be held today (February 22) at the Banashankari crematorium in Bengaluru.