Renowned Kannada comedy actor ‘Bank’ Janardhan passed away in the early hours of Monday at a private hospital in the city, according to family sources.
The actor, aged 76, breathed his last at around 2:30 AM, they confirmed.
Hailing from Holalkere in Chitradurga district, Janardhan is survived by a son and three daughters.
As per his son Guru, the veteran actor had been unwell for the past twenty days and had been admitted to the hospital. Though he showed signs of improvement and returned home briefly, he had to be readmitted on Friday due to breathing difficulties.
He was in the ICU receiving oxygen support, but his condition worsened with severe respiratory issues on Sunday night, eventually leading to kidney failure. He passed away around 2:30 AM. “We hoped he would recover, but unfortunately we lost him,” Guru said.
Janardhan featured in numerous television shows and appeared in over 500 films during his career.
He reportedly continued working in a bank even after starting his acting career, earning him the nickname ‘Bank’ Janardhan, which stayed with him. He was also active in theatre.
Some of his well-known films include News (2005), Shhh (1993), Tharle Nan Maga (1992), and Ganesha Subramanya (1992), among others.
On television, he gained popularity through serials like Paapa Pandu and Robo Family.
His mortal remains were first brought to his residence and then taken to Ravindra Kalakshetra, where members of the film fraternity, his fans, and well-wishers could pay their last respects, according to the family.
The funeral is scheduled to take place at the crematorium in Peenya later this evening.