Shankar Nag (1954-90)
Kannada actor and director born in Udupi, Karnataka, as Shankar Nagarkatti. Educated in Bombay. Encouraged by his brother, Anant Nag, to work in Bombay on Marathi experimental stage where he directed e.g. Sartre’s No Exit and Vijay Tendulkar’s Ashi Pakhare Yeti. Also active on Hindi, English and Gujarati stage. Assistant of Sai Paranjpye (1976-7). Entered film as hero of Girish Karnad’s martial-arts film Ondanondu Kaladalli. Best known as actor in action thrillers and rogue cop films. Karnad provided the script for his début feature as director, Minchina Ota, produced by Sanket Films, which he helped set up (1980). Known for his TV adaptation of R.K. Narayan’s novels (e.g. Malgudi Days). Ran amateur theatre group Sanket. Starred with his brother in many Kannada films, often playing brothers in family dramas (e.g. Ramrajyadalli Rakshasaru). Died in a road accident.
FILMOGRAPHY (* also d/ only d): 1978: Ondanondu Kaladalli; Sarvasakshi; 1979: Seeta Ramudaithe; I Love You; Preeti Madu Tamashe Nodu; Madhuchandra; 1980: Auto Raja; Haddina Kannu; Mugana Sedu; Ondu Hennu Aaru Kannu; Arada Gaya; Rustom Jodi; Minchina Ota*; Janma Janmada Anubandha*; 1981: Geetha; Karinaga; Thayiya Madilalli; Kulaputra; Hana Balavo Jana Balavo; Devara Aata; Bhari Bharjari Bete; Muniyana Madari; Jivakke Jiva; 1982: Archana; Benki Chendu; Karmika Kallanalla; Dharma Dari Tappitu; Nyaya Yellide?; 1983: Gedda Maga; Nyaya Gedditu; Chandi Chamundi (K); Keralida Hennu; Akrosha; Rakta Tilaka; Nagabekamma Nagabeku; Hosa Teerpu; Nodi Swamy Navirodu Hige*; Lalach; 1984: Accident*; Thaliya Bhagya; Ganda Bherunda; Benki Birugali; Kalinga Sarpa; Indina Bharatha; Bedaru Bombe; Shapatha; Pavitra Prema; Makkaliralavva Mane Thumba; Utsav; Asha Kirana; Apoorva Sangama; 1985: Thayi Kanasu; Manava Danava; Thayiye Nanna Devaru; Kiladi Aliya; Vajra Mushti; Parameshi Prema Prasanga; Mohan Murali; 1986: Bettada Thayi; Na Ninna Preetisuve; Raste Raja; Samsarada Guttu; Agni Pareekshe; 1987: Ondu Muthina Kathe*; Swami (TV); Malgudi Days* (TV); Thayi; Ee Bandha Anubandha; Huli Hebbuli; Antima Ghatta; Digvijaya; Lorry Driver; 1988:Shakti; Navabharata; Sangliana; Thayi Karulu; Dharmatma (K); 1989: Tarka; Maha Yuddha; Antinta Gandu Naanalla; CBI Shankar; Rajasimha; Narasimha; Idu Saadhya; Rajasimha; Jayabheri; Nakkala Rajkumari; 1990: Pundara Ganda; Maheshwara; Hosa Jeevana; Bhale Chatura; Aata Bombata; Nighooda Rahasya; Ramrajyadalli Rakshasaru; S.P. Sangliana; Trinetra; Avesha; Haliya Surasuraru; Ananta Prema; 1991: Punda Prachanda; Sundara Kanda; Nagini; Hridaya Hadithu; 1992: Prana Snehitha; 1993: Shivanna.