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