Introduction
Siddalingaiah (15 December 1936 – 12 March 2015) was an Indian film director and writer in the Kannada film industry. He made his directorial debut in 1969 with Mayor Muthanna. He directed films including Bangaarada Manushya (1972) and Bhootayyana Maga Ayyu (1974). He frequently starred actor Rajkumar.
In 1993–94, he was awarded the Puttanna Kanagal Award for his contribution to the Kannada film industry as a director.
Family and early life
Siddalingaiah joined the film industry as both a floor and a spot boy for Navajyothi studios. He became an assistant for director Shanker Singh and later worked as junior actor and assistant as the protege of B. Vittalacharya.
Siddalingaiah's son Murali was an actor in Tamil films. Murali died on the morning of 8 September 2010 in Chennai due to a massive heart attack. His grandson Atharvaa started his acting career in Baana Kaathadi in 2010.
Career
Siddalingaiah directed Mayor Muthanna in 1969 starring Rajkumar, Bharathi and Dwarakish in his film debut. He cast the same lead pair in Baalu Belagithu, Namma Samsara, Thayi Devaru and Bangaarada Manushya.
After Bangaarda Manushya, he worked with other actors including Vishnuvardhan, Ananth Nag, Lokesh and Srinivasa Murthy. He introduced his son Murali in the 1983 romantic drama Prema Parva. He also directed a Tamil film Puthir in 1986 with Murali as the lead actor. His last film, Prema Prema Prema, was released in 1999 after which he retired from directing.
Death
Siddalingaiah died on 12 March 2015 in Bangalore where he had been hospitalized for treatment of H1N1 influenza.