One of the talented directors of yesteryears, A.T. Raghu, who handled the prolific career of Dr. Ambarish in 27 films out of 55, passed away after a prolonged illness. In 2004-2005, A.T. Raghu was honored with the prestigious S.R. Puttanna Kanagal Award by the Karnataka government, and in 2020, he was honored with the Karnataka Rajyotsava Award.
A.T. Raghu was 76 years old. He passed away on Thursday (March 20) night after suffering from a serious illness. He was undergoing continuous dialysis for kidney failure. Currently, his body is kept at Mathadahalli in R.T. Nagar, Bengaluru. The last rites will be performed at the Hebbal crematorium after 2 PM today (March 21). He is survived by his wife and daughter.
Raghu was born in Kodagu (Madenadu, Bettathur village) in 1949. He joined the camp of B. Vittalacharya in 1965 and first acted in a Tamil film. In 1970, he entered the Kannada film industry, and his first film was Nyaya Neethi Dharma. He distinguished himself in the film industry as a director, producer, and screenwriter. He directed films not only in Kannada but also in Hindi.
Nyaya Niti Dharma, released in 1980, was his first film as a director. Ambarish, Aarti, and Dwarakish acted in the film. Raghu developed a strong relationship with Ambarish through this film. Notably, Raghu directed 27 films starring Ambarish, including Asha, Avala Neralu, Mandyada Gandu, and Midida Hridayagalu.
Under the ATR banner, he produced films like Mysuru Jaana, Mandyada Gandu, Betegara, and Rambo Raja Revolver Rani.
A.T. Raghu also worked in Hindi and Malayalam cinema. He remade the film Asha in Hindi as Meri Adalat, with Rajinikanth in the lead role. This film was released in 1984. A.T. Raghu, who also directed a Kodava film, served as a member of the Kodava Sahitya Akademi from 2014 to 2017.
The Karnataka Film Directors’ Association and many others mourned the demise of the reputed director A.T. Raghu.
Some of the notable films of this successful director include Shanker Sunder, Aasha, Avala Neralu, Dharma Yudda, Meri Adalat, Goonda Guru, Guru Jagadguru, Kaadina Raaja, Devara Mane, Kattu Raani (Malayalam), Preethi, Antima Thirpu, Inspector Kranthi Kumar, Apadbandhava, Krishna Mechchida Raade, Padmavyuha, Nyakkagi Naanu, Ajay Vijay, Kempu Soorya, Putta Hendathi, Mysuru Jaana, Suryodhaya, Midida Hrudayagalu, Jailor Jagannath, Mandyada Gandu, Shravana Sanje, Betegara, Rambo Raja Revolver Rani, Jennifer I Love You, and others.
In the Kodava language, his successful TV serials for Chandana Channel include Gejjetand, Aina Mane, and Nanga Kodava.
