One of the highly talented supporting actors specializing in comedy roles, BANK JANARDHAN, has cleared his balance on earth and bid goodbye. We deeply mourn the sad demise of this popular actor of over 550 films, with a strong stint in theater and television.
Bank Janardhan, aged 75, was suffering from ill health and succumbed to death on April 14. A native of Holalkere in Chitradurga, Bank Janardhan was born to a jeep driver father in 1948.
It was when he was studying in 7th standard at his school, Sharada Pooja, he enacted the tonsured female role (Bodamma) in Gandasalve Gandasu. This, in fact, kept him going till his last breath, and he was nicknamed ‘Bandle’ (clean-shaved head) in most of his films.
In fact, Bank Janardhan got first prize for that ‘Bodamma’ role, and thus the journey of his acting started. He was part of Yuva Kannada Sangha, but he failed in his SSLC examinations and worked as a coolie. After some time, he got an attendant job in a Vijaya Bank, and he got addition to his Janardhan name then on. It was Rs. 50 salary, and my salary in the bank increased to Rs. 96 as I had passed the SSLC examinations.
The first association of Bank Janardhan with a filmy personality was when he played a role with B. Jaya (Kulli Jaya) in Gowdra Gadla play. This particular role even got good popularity for him.
He got married in 1969, but my interest in theater plays did not deplete as expected by elders in the family. Looking at the role of Bank Janardhan in Gowdra Gadla, it was veteran Direndra Gopal who invited him to Bengaluru. He got his first opportunity in Sahasa Simha directed by Joe Simon starring Dr. Vishnuvardhana. Bank Janardhan was one of the bodyguard roles to Vajramuni, the main villain character in that film.
The first main role came to Bank Janardhan from Oorige Upakari, and he acted with Dr. Vishnuvardhana in the first scene. Taking permissions and applying for available leave in the bank, Bank Janardhan completed 100 films very quickly.
Moving down to Bengaluru in a rented house, Bank Janardhan lived with his wife, three female and male children. For lack of sufficient funds to support his family, he sold his father’s house in Holalkere.
As an artist, Bank Janardhan was seen in constable, head constable, uncle, and judge roles. As years passed, Bank Janardhan got the manager position in the bank, and his financial suffering decreased.
Bank Janardhan, in over 550 films plus in his career spanning over five decades, was seen in character and comedy roles with all top stars of Kannada cinema.
Films like Ajagajanthara, Tarle Nan Maga, Ssh.. Seetha Anjaneya, Bombat Hudga, Super Nan Maga, Gundana Maduve, Panjarada Gili, Putnanja, Anuraga Sangama, Mata, Undenama, Ganesha Subramanya, Police Na Hendathi, Kaurava, and a few others were popular ones. In over 50 television serials and hundreds of state plays, he was seen in important roles.
The joy of Bank Janardhan was in full swing when his son, software professional Guruprasad, took up direction in 2012 via Agni Mushti. For this film, Bank Janardhan brought back Kunigal Nagabhushan after 10 years of his exile. Bank Janardhan worked as executive producer for his son’s film.
