BANGALORE: 46-year old Kannada and Tamil film actor S Murali expired of a heart attack in Chennai yesterday morning.
Murali, son of Kannada film director G Siddhalingiah, is survived by his wife Shoba, a daughter Kavya and two sons Adharva and Akash. Adharva recently made his acting debut with the Tamil film Baana Kaathadi.
The versatile actor started his acting career in 1984 with a lead role in a Tamil film Poovilangu (Flower Chain). Before that, his film career began when he started assisting his father‘s film directional ventures. His role in the Tamil film Kadal Pookal (Sea Flowers) earned him the Tamil Nadu government‘s best actor award in 2001.
Murali has acted in almost 100 Tamil and Kannada films. Among his notable Tamil films are Idhayam, Thanga Mausukkaran, En Asai Machan, Puthu Vasantham, Porakalam, Vetri Kodi Kattu and Sundara Travels. His latest film Kavasam‘ is slated for release shortly.
Among his Kananda films are Ajay Vijay, Prema Gange, Thayikotta Thali and Swabhimani Yuge Yuge.
The actor also played several supporting roles in films that featured some of the who‘s who of the Kollywood (Tamil) and Sandalwood (Kannada) film industries.