Gopal Rao, known by his stage name Dheerendra Gopal, was an Indian film and stage actor known for his work in

Kannada films Kannada cinema, also known as Sandalwood, or Chandanavana, is the segment of Indian cinema dedicated to the production of motion pictures in the Kannada language widely spoken in the state of Karnataka. The 1934 film '' Sati Sulochana'' directe ...

. He acted in over 350 films and was predominantly recognized for his performances in villainous and comic roles. After making his film debut with ''Subhadra Kalyana'' (1972), he received recognition for his performance in

Puttanna Kanagal Shubraveshti Ramaswamiah Seetharama Sharma (1 December 1933 – 5 June 1985), known popularly as S. R. Puttanna Kanagal, was an Indian filmmaker known for his work in Kannada cinema. He is often considered one of Kannada cinema's most influent ...

's '' Paduvaaralli Pandavaru'' (1978).

Career

Dheerendra Gopal was noticed at a young age by

Gubbi Veeranna Gubbi Hampanna Veeranna (1891 – 1972) was an Indian theatre director. He was one of the pioneers and most prolific contributors to Kannada theatre. He established the drama company, ''Gubbi Sree Channabasaveshwara Nataka Company'', which play ...

saw him solo act at a school and was impressed with his performance and invited him to be part of his company. The young Gopal donned the main role in Yechchama Nayaka and never looked back thereafter. He later began acting in films. His first film appearance was in

Naagarahaavu ''Naagarahaavu'' () is a 1972 Indian Kannada-language film directed by Puttanna Kanagal, based on T. R. Subba Rao's three novels ''Nagarahavu'', ''Ondu Gandu Eradu Hennu'' and ''Sarpa Mathsara'', and starring Vishnuvardhan, Aarathi , K. S. As ...

. Over the years, he acted in over 180 Kannada films and became popular for his role as politician-villain. He earned recognition from

's film " Paduvarahalli Pandavaru". His other popular films were Subhadra Kalyana, Gajapathi Garvabhanga,

Simha Jodi ''Simha Jodi'' is a 1980 Indian Kannada-language film, directed by Joe Simon and produced by A. R. Raju. The film stars Vishnuvardhan, Manjula, Halam and Roopadevi in lead roles. Actress Roopadevi made her Kannada debut in this movie in whic ...

, Naga Kala Bhairava, Nanjundi Kalyana and Annaiah.

Anjali Geethanjali '' (Devanagari: अञ्जली; अंजली) is a Sanskrit word that means " divine offering". It is not only a given name, but also the name given to the greeting between Hindus, Buddhists and other religions on the Indian subcontinent: ha ...

was his last film. He released over 300 political-satire dialogues on audio cassettes, that became popular. He was a lover of theatre and acted in hundreds of plays. His roles in the plays, ''Tippu Sultan'' and ''Mudukana Maduve'', brought him acclaim.

Death

Dheerendra Gopal's health deteriorated in 1999 after a severe attack of jaundice. He died of a heart attack at his residence in

Harihar Harihara ( also called ''Harihar'') is a city in Davanagere District in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is the administrative headquarters of the Harihara Taluk. Harihara is famous for Harihareshwara temple, also known as "Dakshina Kashi", a ...

on 25 December 2000. He was 59. He was survived by his wife Sunandamma, daughter Vidyavathi and two sons, Narendra Babu and Sudheendra. The funeral was held on Tuesday, 26 December 2000, at the Hindu Rudrabhoomi in Harihar.

Partial filmography

* ''Subhadra Kalyana'' (1972) * ''

'' (1972) * '' Paduvarahalli Pandavaru'' (1978) * ''

Nanobba Kalla ''Nanobba Kalla'' () is a 1979 Indian Kannada-language film directed by Dorai–Bhagavan, and produced by actor Shivaram along with his brother S. Ramanathan (Rashi Brothers). The film stars Rajkumar and Lakshmi. Rajkumar played a dual role o ...

'' (1979)...Satish * '' Sahasa Simha'' (1982)...Ratanlal * '' Aahuti'' (1985) * '' Nanjundi Kalyana'' (1989) * '' Gajapathi Garvabhanga'' (1989) * ''

Bombat Hendthi ''Bombat Hendthi'' is a 1992 Indian Kannada-language comedy drama film directed by P. N. Ramachandra Rao and produced by R. Sriramulu. A remake of Rao's Telugu film, '' Chitram Bhalare Vichitram'' (1991), the film featured an ensemble cast in ...

'' (1992) * '' Banni Ondsala Nodi'' (1992) * '' Sriramachandra'' (1992) * '' Rupayi Raja'' (1992) * '' Annaiah'' (1993) * '' Mana Mecchida Sose'' (1992) * '' Gadibidi Ganda'' (1993) * ''

Putnanja ''Putnanja'' is a 1995 Kannada language film directed by Ravichandran and produced by A. Narsimhan. This film stars Ravichandran, Meena, Umashri, Lokesh in lead roles. Music was composed by Hamsalekha. The film's plot was inspired by the 1972 ...

'' (1995) * ''

Simhada Mari ''Simhada Mari'' () is a 1997 Indian Kannada-language action drama film directed by Om Prakash Rao and produced by Ramu. The film stars Shiva Rajkumar, Telugu actor Krishnam Raju and debutant Simran. The flash back portion which is considered ...

'' (1997) * '' Yamalokadalli Veerappan'' (1998) * ''

Mari Kannu Hori Myage ''Mari Kannu Hori Myage'' also spelled as ''Maari Kannu Hori Myage'' () is a 1998 Indian Kannada-language comedy film starring Jaggesh, Archana, Utthara and Dheerendra Gopal. The film written and directed by Kumar was named after a famous track ...

'' (1998)...Annaiah * ''Anjali Geethanjali'' (2001)

Awards

Dheerendra Gopal was a recipient of the Karnataka Nataka Academy Award and the

Rajyotsava Award The Rajyotsava Prashasti or Rajyotsava Awards, the second highest civilian honor of the Karnataka state of India are conferred annually by the Karnataka Government on the occasion of the establishment of the state on 1 November celebrated as t ...

References

External links

* Male actors from Karnataka 2000 deaths Male actors in Kannada cinema Indian male film actors 20th-century Indian male actors People from Davanagere district 1940 births {{India-actor-stub