Veteran Kannada director KV Raju passes away

Bengaluru, December 24

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Veteran Kannada director and writer KV Raju passed away on Friday at his residence in Bengaluru.

Raju had directed Amitabh Bachchan-starrer ‘Indrajeet’ and directed Kajol and Jitendra in ‘Udhar Ki Zindagi’.

Raju directed superhit Kannada movies ‘Yudhakanda’, ‘Belli Modagalu’, ‘Indrajith’, ‘Kadana’, ‘Belli Kalungara’ and critically acclaimed ‘Hulia’. He had also recently worked as a screenplay and dialogue writer for the yet-to-be-released ‘Satyam’.

Raju entered the film industry in 1982 as an associate director to KV Jayaram in his movie, ‘Baadada Hoo’. Raju made his debut as a director and writer with the movie ‘Olave Baduku’ in 1984.

Raju became a sensation in the Kannada film industry by giving blockbusters in the ’80s and ’90s. He worked with most of the Kannada superstars. He ventured into Hindi film industry with his film ‘Indrajeeth’ starring Amitabh Bachchan and Jayaprada.

He also directed two other Hindi films, ‘Udhar Ki Zindagi’ (1994) and ‘Khooni Jung’ (2004). He is recognised for his powerful, strong, realistic dialogues and sharp editing.

He also gave opportunities to Kannada actors Devraj, Jaggesh and Shashikumar who went on to become big stars. IANS