Daijiworld News Network (GA)

Bangalore, Jan 5:  Veteran Kannada film actor Vajramuni (62) died here in the early hours today.

The veteran actor, known for his villain roles, was suffering from kidney ailment for the last 10 years. He collapsed in his house at 5 am and breathed his last on way to Sagar Apollo Hospital.

Vajramuni entered the film world in 1968 with Mallammana Pavada and till date had acted in more than 300 films.

Hearing the news of his death, thousands of fans and people from the film industry visited his farmhouse Vajragiri Nursery in Avalahalli near Anjanapura here and paid their last respects to the departed soul.

The last rites will be performed at the farm at 5 pm today.

Vajramuni may be a only one villain in sandalwood who became more popular than some of his contemporary heroes.  There was section of people who went to theatres to watch movies only because Vajramuni had acted in them.  Having had his initial acting experience as stage actor, he filled life to all the roles that were given to him.  Some of the directors even created certain roles only in order to accommodate Vajramuni.

Though he earned a diploma in cinematography, acting was his forte.  His first film ‘Savira Mettilu’ never had the chance to come out of the box.  But his second film, Mallammana Pavada introduced a new villain to the sandalwood.  From then he had never to look back as he went on delivering hits upon hits with his gutsy shows.  His acting in films such as Nagara Havu, Bahaddur Gandu, Gejjepuje, Akasmika etc have earned him accolades from all sections of people.

He had even won the best support actor award twice for his films Kollur Mookambike and Bettale Seve films.  His strong voice and a unique style of delivering the dialogues had made him the unquestioned villain of his times.

However, he was a very loveable and affectionate man in his life.  He was just the opposite in real life and reel life.  But in the twilight of his career he suffered acutely first with kidney failure and then cardiac problems coupled with minor diseases.  His wife donated him a kidney when both of his kidneys were failed.  Yet he fought gallantly and ran the race to the end without giving up.

The death of Vajramuni is not only a loss to the Kannada filmdom but also a loss to the entire society.  With his demise a glittering and glorious era has come to an end.