Daijiworld Media Network – Mandya

Mandya, Nov 12: Channegowda, who won hearts across India with his portrayal of Gadappa in the acclaimed Kannada film Thithi (2015), passed away on Wednesday due to age-related ailments. He was 89.

A native of Nodekoppalu village in Mandya district, Channegowda was known for his eccentric charm both on and off screen. “His personality was exactly like how he was portrayed as Gadappa. He lived a simple, free-spirited life,” said Thithi writer and his nephew, Ere Gowda.

His famous dialogue, “En nin problemmu?” (“What is your problem?”), remains etched in the minds of fans. After Thithi, he appeared in several films including Tharle Village (2016), En Nin Problemmu (2017), and Halli Panchayathi (2017).

Paying tribute, Thithi director Raam Reddy wrote, “The shimmer in his eyes, the spirit in his steps, the beauty of his essence — we will love and celebrate you always.”

Thithi, featuring a cast of non-actors, won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada in 2015 and the Golden Leopard at the Locarno International Film Festival.