MH Ambareesh:Sandalwood loses another popular hero

In the passing away of MH Ambareesh, former Union Minister of state for Information and
Broadcasting the Sandalwood (Kannada film industry) has lost one more legendary actor. The
former state Housing minister who was ailing for some time had also been treated in a
Singapore hospital a few years back. Of late he had distanced himself from politics and had
refused to contest the May 2018 general elections to the state Assembly.

He entered the celluloid world through a small villain role in late Puttanna Kanagal’s directorial
venture, Nagarhaavu(Cobra).In fact this film also happened to be the maiden picture of
Vishnuwardhana as a hero. Then on there’s no looking back to him in the regional film industry.
He slowly started climbing the ladder of success by acting in supporting characters and villain
roles. But his performance in SV Rajendra Singh Babu directed ‘Antha’(End) took his film career
to a new high. Perhaps it’s the role of Susheel Kumar, police inspector which also transformed
his screen image from an angry young man to a rebel star.

In fact this film became a trend setter for many more similar films in other regional language
films including Bollywood. ’Antha’ was remade as ‘Meri Awaz Suno’ in Hindi and Jeetendra,
Hema Malini were in the lead pair.
While ‘Hongkongnalli Agent Amar’ was his 100 th film the number of Kannada films he acted in
were more than 200.’Ambi Ninge Vayassaito’(Ambi you are aged) was his last film. ’Amar’ set
for release was his son Abhishek Gowda’s first picture. Sumalatha Ambareesh, wife and
multilingual actor is still active in films.

Unlike his upward career all along on the silver screen his innings on the political ground was
not all that steady. He kept on changing parties at his whims and fancies and also tasted both,
defeats and victories.
Although he joined the Congress party before PV Narasimha Rao, the then prime minister, in no
time he switched sides to jump the bandwagon of Janata Dal when HD Devegowda became the
PM.

But interestingly when he was chosen to replace the prime minister elect from Ramanagar
Assembly constituency the political novice was humbled by CM Lingappa in his maiden effort.
But in the subsequent Parliamentary elections he won as a JDS candidate.

However his stint with the Janata Dal was short lived as he again returned to the Congress
party and became a MP from Mandya constituency a couple of times. Later he lost to the JDS
candidates in Lok Sabha and Assembly polls.
He was elected from Mandya constituency during the 2013 polls and was also inducted as the
Housing minister in Siddaramaiah’s cabinet. Though his health deteriorated miserably he didn’t
quit the ministry.
Instead he chose to fly to Singapore to be treated there at the cost of the state exchequer
thereby throwing to the winds all the tall claims of him being a generous donor to all those in
need.

The issue also became an eye opener to all those who were carried away by all sorts of
exaggerated versions that the popular actor goes out of the way in helping all those who make a
bee line before him seeking financial aid.
Another paradox of his political career was that he never remained in touch with the people who
elected him. Once after being elected to the Lok Sabha, he inaugurated the MP’s office in
Mandya DC office and that was the first and last time he was to be seen there in the entire
tenure of five years!

His slavery to vices of all sorts perhaps had a fatal affect on his health. He was said to be a
chain smoker fond of motorbikes, cars, gambling, foreign variety of dogs, racing apart from
great weakness to women. As a state minister he opposed tooth and nail, the proposal of
shifting the race course to the outskirts of Bengaluru.

Much worst was the burial in the premises of the state owned Kanteerava Studios just like
Rajkumar, matinee idol of Kannada. The Kannada stars and legends of their times who thrived
on public money for their accomplishments ultimately had to rely upon the state’s infrastructure
for resting in peace!
-Manohar Yadavatti

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