Noted Film Producer Bhakthavatsala Dies, CM Kumaraswamy Condoles

Bengaluru: Noted film producer and former chairman of Indian Film Chamber of Commerce M Bhakthavatsala died due to age-related ailments, according to family sources.

He was 84. He died at his residence here yesterday, the family sources added. Bhakthavatsala was an officer in Hindustan Machine Tools (HMT) and later turned to films through distribution and managing theatres.

He shot to fame by producing Kannada films like ‘Sandhyaraga’ and ‘Samskara’ among others. Bhakthavatsala served as president of Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce for seven years and was the only Kannadiga to chair the Indian Film Chamber of Commerce. Condoling the death of the noted producer, Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy said the Kannada film industry had lost a great leader.