Film producer BG Manjunath, popularly known as ‘A’ Manjunath after the phenomenal success of Upendra’s Kannada film A, passed away on Monday night, October 26, following a prolonged illness. He was 69.
A silk merchant by profession, Manjunath suffered a setback after being admitted to a hospital near South End Circle. His kidneys had failed, and a subsequent transplant was unsuccessful. He is survived by his wife, son and daughter. His last rites were performed at the Banashankari crematorium on Tuesday evening.
Released in 1998, A created history at the box office, setting new records for collections. The film, written, directed and headlined by Upendra, also marked the Kannada film debut of Dr Chandini as the heroine. Music director Gurukiran shot to fame with the film’s songs, which became a huge hit, while Lahari Recording Company also benefited from the soundtrack’s success. Despite the film’s phenomenal performance, the profits reportedly went largely to Yashraj rather than the producer, Manjunath.
Manjunath went on to produce several films, including Prathyartha, starring Sudeepa and Ramesh Aravind and directed by Sunil Kumar Desai. However, films such as Agrahara, Arbhata, Suryakanthi and his latest venture, Terror, reportedly left him in financial difficulties.
Dr Chandini Sasha has expressed deep condolences over Manjunath’s demise. She had met him at the hospital a few days before his death and shared her intention of making a sequel to A. “I have lost a family member,” she said in a message mourning his passing.
