KGF actor Dinesh Mangaluru passes away at 55 after prolonged illness

Kannada actor Dinesh Mangaluru, known for his roles in KGF Chapter 1 and Chapter 2, passed away at 55 after a prolonged illness. He is survived by his wife and two sons.

Udupi: Senior Kannada artiste Dinesh Mangaluru, who played a prominent role in the superhit films KGF Chapter 1 and KGF Chapter 2, passed away at his residence in Kundapura town of Udupi district on Monday morning.

According to family sources, he had been ailing for a long time.

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Dinesh was a popular supporting actor in the Kannada film industry. His performances in Aa Dinagalu, Kichcha, Kirik Party, Ricky, Harikatha Alla Girikatha, and Ulidavaru Kandante earned him much acclaim.

Coming from a theatre background, Dinesh began his career as an art director before transitioning into acting. His portrayal of a Mumbai don and gold smuggler in the KGF series was especially well appreciated.

Several senior directors and actors expressed their condolences. His passing has deeply saddened the Kannada film community. Veteran director P. Sheshadri wrote on social media: “A creative director, artist, producer, and dear friend, Dinesh Mangaluru is no more… Go in peace, my friend.”

According to reports, the 55-year-old suffered a brain hemorrhage. He had been under treatment at Sargan Hospital in Kundapura, following earlier treatment in Bengaluru. Despite efforts, he did not recover.

Originally from Mangaluru, Dinesh started his career in theatre before moving into cinema. He initially worked as an art director for films such as Aasphota (1988), Chandramukhi Pranasakhi (1999), Veera Madakari (2009), and Vriksham (The Tree) (2019).

Born on January 1, 1970, in Mangaluru, Dinesh was married to Bharathi Pai and is survived by two sons, Surya Siddhartha and Sajan Pai.