Veteran Director Joe Simon Passes Away After Suffering Cardiac Arrest At Film Chamber; Read Details

Director Joe Simon Passes Away After Suffering Cardiac Arrest: The veteran filmmaker, who is best known for his illustrious work in Kannada cinema, passed away. Joe Simon reportedly passed away after suffering a sudden cardiac arrest amidst a film industry meeting, which was held at the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce. The director's sudden demise has left the Kannada film industry in a deep shock.

Director Joe Simon Passes Away After Suffering Cardiac Arrest

According to the latest updates, Joe Simon collapsed while attending an executive meeting at the Film Chamber office in Bengaluru, Karnakata, on Friday, 13 February 2026. Even though he was rushed to a nearby private hospital immediately, the director did not respond to the treatment, and soon succumbed to his condition.

The recent reports by OneIndia suggests that Joe Simon's final rites will be held on Saturday, February 14, 2026, in Bengaluru. The Sahasa Simha director's mortal remains will be kept for public homage at the Ravindra Kalakshetra in Bengaluru on February 14 between 10:00 am and 11:00 am. The popular film industry members and admirers are gathering to pay their last respects to the veteran filmmaker.

All About Joe Simon

The senior filmmaker was born in 1946 in Mandya district, of Karnataka. Joe Simon entered the Kannada film industry in 1967 and successfully built a career that spanned over six decades. He directed his first film, Ondu Premada Kathe, in 1977 and went on to direct more than 100 Kannada films. He has also worked in the industry as an actor and lyric writer, occasionally.

Joe Simon has directed some of the iconic films, epsecially action dramas and family entertainers such as Simha Jodi, Sahasa Simha, Hong Kongnalli Agent Amar, Sneha Dhadalli, Ravi Varma and Time Bomb. The senior director also maintained a close professional associations with actors Vishnuvardhan and Ambareesh during their peak years.