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.
Fotos
Películas (175)
Kurukshetra
2019 · Bheeshma
Ambi Ning Vayassaytho
2018 · Ambi
Rajasimha
2018
Doddmane Hudga
2016 · Doddmane Rajeeva
Ambareesha
2014
Bulbul
2013 · Amarnath
Andar Bahar
2013 · Producer
Drama
2012 · Bulbul, Cameo appearance
Katari Veera Surasundarangi
2012 · Yamadharma Raja
Veera Parampare
2010
Matthe Mungaaru
2010
Ee Preethi Yeke Bhoomi Melide
2007
Kallarali Hoovagi
2006 · Madakari Nayaka
Thandege Thakka Maga
2006
Annavru
2003 · Amarnath a.k.a. Anna
Sri Manjunatha
2001 · Ambikeswara Maharaju
Diggajaru
2001 · Chikkayya / Mutthayya
Vande Matharam
2001 · CBI Officer Yashwanth
Devara Maga
2000 · Raje Gowda
Habba
1999 · Ambi
Operation Antha
1995
Karulina Kudi
1995
Kalyanotsava
1995 · Seena
Mandyada Gandu
1994
Odahuttidavaru
1994
Musuku
1994
Suryodaya
1993
Midida Hrudayagalu
1993
Mysore Jaana
1992
Solillada Saradara
1992
Saptapadi
1992 · Sudhakar
Rowdy & MLA
1991
Garuda Dhwaja
1991
Hrudaya Hadithu
1991 · Dr. Prasad
Ekalavya
1990
Chakravarthy
1990
Thrinethra
1990
Kempu Gulabi
1990
Red Sun
1990
Aasegobba Meesegobba
1990 · Special Appearance
Ranabheri
1990
Nammoora Hammeera
1990 · Gopi
Mathsara
1990
Uthkarsha
1990 · Inspector Naveen
Rani Maharani
1990
Jai Karnataka
1989
Indrajith
1989 · Indrajith
Samsaara Nouke
1989
Hongkongnalli Agent Amar
1989 · Agent Amar
Arjun
1988 · Arjun
Thayigobba Karna
1988
Sangliyana
1988
Ramanna Shamanna
1988 · Raam
Vijaya Khadga
1988
Praja Prabhuthva
1988
Brahma Vishnu Maheshwara
1988 · Brahmendra
New Delhi
1988
Nava Bharatha
1987
Aapadbandhava
1987
Bedi
1987
Inspector Kranthikumar
1987
Digvijaya
1987 · Inspector Arjun
Anthima Theerpu
1987
Mr. Raja
1987
Prema Kadambari
1987
Olavina Udugore
1987
Bazar Bheema
1987
Premaloka
1987 · Hotel supplier
Poorna Chandra
1987 · Chandra
Elu Suttina Kote
1987 · Anand
Vishwaroopa
1986
Bete
1986
Matthondu Charithre
1986
Preethi
1986
Brahmastra
1986
Mrugaalaya
1986
Sathkara
1986
Madhura Bandhavya
1986
Mamatheya Madilu
1985 · Dr. Anand
Devarelliddane
1985
Masanada Hoovu
1985 · Singaru
Giri Baale
1985
Devara Mane
1985
Sneha Sambandha
1985
Chaduranga
1985
Amara Jyothi
1985
Shabash Vikram
1985 · Vikram
Aahuthi
1985
Guru Jagadguru
1985
Goonda Guru
1985
Mooru Janma
1984
Kalinga Sarpa
1984
Rowdy Raja
1984
Shapatha
1984
Onde Raktha
1984
Sidilu
1984
Onti Dhwani
1984
Guru Bhakti
1984
Ganda Bherunda
1984 · Biju
Naane Raja
1984 · Inspector Raghu
Gajendra
1984
Dharma Yuddha
1983
Hasida Hebbuli
1983
Geluvu Nannade
1983
Maneli Ramanna Beedili Kamanna
1983
Maththe Vasantha
1983
Chakravyuha
1983 · Amarnath
Avala Neralu
1983
Hosa Theerpu
1983
Jaggu
1983
Aasha
1983
Thirugu Baana
1983
Khadeema Kallaru
1982 · Raja
Tony
1982 · Tony Malcolm
Ajith
1982
Maava Sose Savaal
1982
Prema Mathsara
1982
Snehada Sankole
1982
Shankar Sundar
1982
Gaanam
1982
Bhari Bharjari Bete
1981
Snehithara Saval
1981
Maha Prachandaru
1981
Avala Hejje
1981
Ranganayaki
1981 · Ramanna
Antha
1981 · Police Officer
Leader Vishwanath
1981
Driver Hanumanthu
1980
Nyaya Neethi Dharma
1980
Ondu Hennu Aaru Kannu
1980
Subbi Subbakka Suvvalali
1980
Vajrada Jalapatha
1980
Dhairya Lakshmi
1980
Putaani Agents 123
1979
Kamala
1979
Pakka Kalla
1979
Savathiya Neralu
1979
Priya
1978
Thai Meethu Sathiyam
1978
Amarnath
1978 · Amarnath
Balu Aparoopa Nam Jodi
1978
Kiladi Jodi
1978 · Guest Appearance
Sneha Sedu
1978
Paduvaaralli Pandavaru
1978 · Kariya
Muyyige Muyyi
1978 · Peter
Sirithanakke Saval
1978
Havina Hejje
1978
Halli Haida
1978
Kudure Mukha
1978 · Dhoomappa
Banashankari
1977
Kumkuma Rakshe
1977
Mugdha Manava
1977
Chinna Ninna Muddaduve
1977
Maagiya Kanasu
1977
Nagarahole
1977
Dhanalakshmi
1977
Manassinanthe Mangalya
1977
Kanasu Nanasu
1976
Bangarada Gudi
1976 · Kamalesh
Hudugatada Hudugi
1976
Hosilu Mettida Hennu
1976
Bhagya Jyothi
1975
Naga Kanye
1975
Onde Roopa Eradu Guna
1975
Shubhamangala
1975 · Mooga
Devara Kannu
1975 · Sridhar
Bili Hendthi
1975
Mahadeshwara Pooja Phala
1974
Vishnu Vijayam
1974
Zehreela Insaan
1974 · Jaleel
Chamundeshwari Mahime
1974
Pookkari
1973 · Ravi
Seetheyalla Savithri
1973
Bangarada Kalla
1973 · Ravi's Friend
Naagarahaavu
1972 · Jaleela
