Ambareesh
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- May 29, 1952
- Died
- November 24, 2018 (aged 66)
- Birthplace
- Mandya, Karnataka, India
Biography
**Malavalli Huchchegowda Amarnath** (29 May 1952 – 24 November 2018), widely revered by his screen name **Ambareesh**, was a legendary Indian actor, playback singer, and politician who bestrode Kannada cinema and regional public life for over four decades. Affectionately hailed by millions of fans as *Rebel Star*, *Mandyada Gandu*, and *Kaliyuga Karna* for his fiery on-screen persona, charismatic swagger, and legendary real-life generosity, he stood as one of the towering cultural icons of Karnataka alongside Dr. Rajkumar and Vishnuvardhan. Born in Doddarasinakere near Maddur in the Mandya district of Karnataka, Ambareesh hailed from a distinguished lineage as the grandson of the renowned violinist and music maestro Pitambaram Chowdiah. Raised in Mysore, he was introduced to cinema by celebrated director Puttanna Kanagal, who discovered him and cast him as the defiant youth Jaleela in the classic *Nagarahavu* (1972). Ambareesh's portrayal made his cigarette-flicking style and signature punchline "Haavina Dvesha Hanneradu Varusha" instant pop culture sensations, immediately establishing him as a rebellious screen presence. Throughout the 1970s, he excelled in antagonistic and supporting roles across landmark films such as *Paduvaaralli Pandavaru* (1978), *Ranganayaki* (1981), and *Katha Sangama* (1976). His transition to a full-fledged action hero came in the early 1980s, driven by the massive commercial success of *Antha* (1981), where his hard-hitting performance as the honest cop Kanwar Lal exposed systemic corruption and earned him the enduring moniker *Rebel Star*. He went on to dominate the box office throughout the 1980s and 1990s with blockbusters including *Chakravyuha* (1983), *Elu Suttina Kote* (1987), *Olavina Udugore* (1987), *Hongkongnalli Agent Amar* (1989), *Hrudaya Haadithu* (1991), *Mannina Doni* (1992), and *Odahuttidavaru* (1994). In the latter half of his career, he seamlessly stepped into commanding patriarchal and authoritative figures, delivering memorable performances in films like *Diggajaru* (2001), *Kallarali Hoovagi* (2006), *Veera Madakari* (2009), *Drama* (2012), *Bulbul* (2013), and his milestone 500th theatrical appearance in *Kurukshetra* (2019) as Bheeshma. His cinematic contributions were recognized with multiple Karnataka State Film Awards, Filmfare Awards South, and the prestigious **Dr. Rajkumar Lifetime Achievement Award** in 2005. Parallel to his cinematic reign, Ambareesh built a formidable political career rooted in his native Mandya, serving as a three-time Member of Parliament in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, and later as the Minister for Housing in the Government of Karnataka. Married to acclaimed actress Sumalatha Ambareesh, he remained the undisputed patriarch and conciliator of the Kannada film industry until his passing in Bengaluru in November 2018.
Known For
Filmography
Kurukshetra
Movie · as Bheeshma
Ambi Ning Vayassaytho
Movie · as Ambi
Rajasimha
Movie
Doddmane Hudga
Movie · as Doddmane Rajeeva
Ambareesha
Movie
Weekend With Ramesh
TV · as Himself · 2 eps
Bulbul
Movie · as Amarnath
Katari Veera Surasundarangi
Movie · as Yamadharma Raja
Drama
Movie · as Bulbul, Cameo appearance
Matthe Mungaaru
Movie
Veera Parampare
Movie
Ee Preethi Yeke Bhoomi Melide
Movie
Kallarali Hoovagi
Movie · as Madakari Nayaka
Thandege Thakka Maga
Movie
Annavru
Movie · as Amarnath a.k.a. Anna
Diggajaru
Movie · as Chikkayya / Mutthayya
Sri Manjunatha
Movie · as Ambikeswara Maharaju
Vande Matharam
Movie · as CBI Officer Yashwanth
Devara Maga
Movie · as Raje Gowda
Habba
Movie · as Ambi
Operation Antha
Movie
Karulina Kudi
Movie
Kalyanotsava
Movie · as Seena
Odahuttidavaru
Movie
Mandyada Gandu
Movie
Musuku
Movie
Suryodaya
Movie
Midida Hrudayagalu
Movie
Mysore Jaana
Movie
Solillada Saradara
Movie
Saptapadi
Movie · as Sudhakar
Hrudaya Hadithu
Movie · as Dr. Prasad
Garuda Dhwaja
Movie
Rowdy & MLA
Movie
Red Sun
Movie
Uthkarsha
Movie · as Inspector Naveen
Rani Maharani
Movie
Aasegobba Meesegobba
Movie · as Special Appearance
Mathsara
Movie
Nammoora Hammeera
Movie · as Gopi
Ranabheri
Movie
Chakravarthy
Movie
Kempu Gulabi
Movie
Thrinethra
Movie
Ekalavya
Movie
Samsaara Nouke
Movie
Jai Karnataka
Movie
Hongkongnalli Agent Amar
Movie · as Agent Amar
Indrajith
Movie · as Indrajith
Brahma Vishnu Maheshwara
Movie · as Brahmendra
Sangliyana
Movie
Arjun
Movie · as Arjun
Praja Prabhuthva
Movie
Vijaya Khadga
Movie
New Delhi
Movie
Ramanna Shamanna
Movie · as Raam
Thayigobba Karna
Movie
Elu Suttina Kote
Movie · as Anand
Premaloka
Movie · as Hotel supplier
Nava Bharatha
Movie
Inspector Kranthikumar
Movie
Bazar Bheema
Movie
Olavina Udugore
Movie
Digvijaya
Movie · as Inspector Arjun
Bedi
Movie
Poorna Chandra
Movie · as Chandra
Prema Kadambari
Movie
Mr. Raja
Movie
Anthima Theerpu
Movie
Aapadbandhava
Movie
Madhura Bandhavya
Movie
Mrugaalaya
Movie
Bete
Movie
Brahmastra
Movie
Preethi
Movie
Vishwaroopa
Movie
Sathkara
Movie
Matthondu Charithre
Movie
Chaduranga
Movie
Masanada Hoovu
Movie · as Singaru
Giri Baale
Movie
Goonda Guru
Movie
Guru Jagadguru
Movie
Devarelliddane
Movie
Aahuthi
Movie
Mamatheya Madilu
Movie · as Dr. Anand
Shabash Vikram
Movie · as Vikram
Devara Mane
Movie
Amara Jyothi
Movie
Sneha Sambandha
Movie
Ganda Bherunda
Movie · as Biju
Sidilu
Movie
Gajendra
Movie
Naane Raja
Movie · as Inspector Raghu
Onti Dhwani
Movie
Guru Bhakti
Movie
Kalinga Sarpa
Movie
Rowdy Raja
Movie
Mooru Janma
Movie
Shapatha
Movie
Onde Raktha
Movie
Hosa Theerpu
Movie
Chakravyuha
Movie · as Amarnath
Thirugu Baana
Movie
Aasha
Movie
Jaggu
Movie
Avala Neralu
Movie
Maththe Vasantha
Movie
Maneli Ramanna Beedili Kamanna
Movie
Geluvu Nannade
Movie
Hasida Hebbuli
Movie
Dharma Yuddha
Movie
Tony
Movie · as Tony Malcolm
Khadeema Kallaru
Movie · as Raja
Gaanam
Movie
Shankar Sundar
Movie
Prema Mathsara
Movie
Maava Sose Savaal
Movie
Snehada Sankole
Movie
Ajith
Movie
Ranganayaki
Movie · as Ramanna
Antha
Movie · as Police Officer
Snehithara Saval
Movie
Avala Hejje
Movie
Bhari Bharjari Bete
Movie
Maha Prachandaru
Movie
Leader Vishwanath
Movie
Nyaya Neethi Dharma
Movie
Vajrada Jalapatha
Movie
Ondu Hennu Aaru Kannu
Movie
Subbi Subbakka Suvvalali
Movie
Dhairya Lakshmi
Movie
Driver Hanumanthu
Movie
Putaani Agents 123
Movie
Savathiya Neralu
Movie
Pakka Kalla
Movie
Kamala
Movie
Thai Meethu Sathiyam
Movie
Paduvaaralli Pandavaru
Movie · as Kariya
Priya
Movie
Kudure Mukha
Movie · as Dhoomappa
Muyyige Muyyi
Movie · as Peter
Amarnath
Movie · as Amarnath
Kiladi Jodi
Movie · as Guest Appearance
Balu Aparoopa Nam Jodi
Movie
Sneha Sedu
Movie
Sirithanakke Saval
Movie
Halli Haida
Movie
Havina Hejje
Movie
Nagarahole
Movie
Dhanalakshmi
Movie
Maagiya Kanasu
Movie
Kumkuma Rakshe
Movie
Chinna Ninna Muddaduve
Movie
Mugdha Manava
Movie
Manassinanthe Mangalya
Movie
Banashankari
Movie
Bangarada Gudi
Movie · as Kamalesh
Hudugatada Hudugi
Movie
Hosilu Mettida Hennu
Movie
Kanasu Nanasu
Movie
Shubhamangala
Movie · as Mooga
Devara Kannu
Movie · as Sridhar
Bhagya Jyothi
Movie
Naga Kanye
Movie
Onde Roopa Eradu Guna
Movie
Bili Hendthi
Movie
Vishnu Vijayam
Movie
Mahadeshwara Pooja Phala
Movie
Chamundeshwari Mahime
Movie
Zehreela Insaan
Movie · as Jaleel
Pookkari
Movie · as Ravi
Bangarada Kalla
Movie · as Ravi's Friend
Seetheyalla Savithri
Movie
Naagarahaavu
Movie · as Jaleela