'Papa Pandu' Kannada actor Shankar Rao no more!

Bengaluru: Veteran Kannada film actor and theatre artist Shankar Rao passed away at his residence in Arakere at around 6.30 am today. He was 84.

Sources close to the family said that he was ill for some time.

Shankar Rao was visible in comedy roles on screen. His comic timing and mannerism as ‘Boss Balaraju’ in the comedy serial ‘Silli Lalli’ struck a chord with the viewers. The show became very popular among people of all ages and even topped the TRP charts.

Papa Pandu was another Kannada comedy serial that made Shanker a household name.

Sandalwood actors and fans mourned the veteran actor’s demise.

The last rites will be held at the Banashankari crematorium, sources said.