Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Aug 13: Veteran Kannada film director S Murali Mohan, known for his long-time association with actor-director Upendra and for directing several prominent films, passed away on Wednesday, August 13 at the age of 57 due to multiple organ failure. He had been undergoing treatment for kidney-related ailments for several years.

Murali Mohan breathed his last around 3 pm at a private hospital on J C Road in Bengaluru. He had been battling kidney failure and had previously appealed for financial support, stating that a transplant surgery would cost around Rs 30–35 lac. Despite ongoing treatment for over five years, his health continued to decline.

A well-respected figure in the Kannada film industry, Murali Mohan began his career as an associate director with Upendra on cult classics like Shhh!, Om, and Tarle Nan Maga. He later made a mark as an independent director with films such as Santa (starring Shivarajkumar), Mallikarjuna (featuring Ravichandran), and Nagarahaavu (with Upendra in the lead).

Murali Mohan shared a close friendship with Upendra dating back to their college days, and the duo collaborated on several memorable projects in the 1990s. Industry insiders and celebrities are mourning his demise, remembering him as a talented yet understated contributor to Sandalwood cinema.

His passing marks a significant loss to the Kannada film industry, where he was regarded as a creative mind who preferred to stay away from the limelight.