K. S. Ashwath
Actor · Hassan, Karnataka, India
Biography
*K. S. Ashwath* (March 25, 1925 – January 18, 2010), born Karaganahalli Subbaraya Ashwathanarayana, was a revered titan of Kannada cinema whose career spanned over five decades and 370 films. Celebrated for his dignified screen presence, emotive depth, and distinct resonant voice, he remains one of Sandalwood's most iconic character actors. Hailing from Holenarasipura in Hassan district, Ashwath actively took part in the Indian Independence movement during his student days at Maharaja's College, Mysore. After a brief stint in government service as a Food Inspector, he gravitated toward amateur theatre with Mysore Kalakunja, eventually making his silver-screen debut in K. R. Seetharama Sastry’s Streerathna (1955). He soon became an indispensable pillar of Kannada cinema, sharing an iconic collaboration with Dr. Rajkumar across nearly 100 films. Equally adept at playing principled patriarchs, scheming villains, and royal advisors, Ashwath delivered his career-defining performance as Chamayya Meshtru, the strict yet deeply loving teacher in Puttanna Kanagal’s cult classic Naagarahaavu (1972). His extensive filmography includes historic landmarks such as Kasturi Nivasa (1971), Jedara Bale (1968), Naguva Hoovu (1971), Bhakta Kumbara (1974), Eradu Kanasu (1974), and Jenina Hole (1972). Beyond Kannada, he appeared in the Hollywood production Seven Wonders of the World (1956) and the Hindi film Ganga Gowri (1973). A three-time recipient of the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actor, Ashwath was honored with the prestigious Dr. Rajkumar Lifetime Achievement Award in 1994 and an honorary doctorate from Tumkur University in 2008. His final appearance on screen was in the romantic drama Sihigali (2010).
Acted in 165
2000s
- 2007
Bhoopathi
Movie
- 2006
Sirivantha
Movie
- 2003
Preethisle Beku
Movie
- 2001
Anjali Geethanjali
Movie
- 2000
Preethsu Thappenilla
Movie
Shabdavedhi
Movie
1990s
- 1994
Kaaveri Theeradalli
Movie
Gandhada Gudi Part 2
Movie
Odahuttidavaru
Movie
Musuku
Movie
- 1993
Gejje Naada
Movie
Navibbaru Namagibbaru
Movie
Bhagavan Sri Saibaba
Movie
Kumkuma Bhagya
Movie
Urvashi Kalyana
Movie
Anuragada Alegalu
Movie
Mane Devru
Movie
- 1992
Belliyappa Bangarappa
Police Commissioner
- 1991
Mathru Bhagya
Movie
Jagadeka Veera
Movie
Modada Mareyalli
Movie
Garuda Dhwaja
Movie
Hrudaya Hadithu
Mahadevayya
- 1990
Baare Nanna Muddina Rani
Movie
Muthina Haara
Movie
Mruthyunjaya
Lawyer Ramakrishnaiah
Aasegobba Meesegobba
Movie
1980s
- 1989
Gajapathi Garvabhanga
Ranganna Meshtru
Yaru Hone
Movie
Inspector Vikram
Police Commissioner Chandrashekar
Hongkongnalli Agent Amar
Movie
Sharavegada Saradara
Movie
- 1988
Daada
Movie
Samyuktha
Veerabhadraiah
Jana Nayaka
Movie
Brahma Vishnu Maheshwara
Movie
- 1987
Nava Bharatha
Movie
Shubha Milana
Movie
Bazar Bheema
Movie
- 1986
Sundara Swapnagalu
Movie
Anuraaga Aralithu
Movie
Bhagyada Lakshmi Baaramma
Movie
Karna
Movie
- 1985
Giri Baale
Movie
Jwalamukhi
Rudraiah
Sneha Sambandha
Movie
Bidugadeya Bedi
Sanjeeva Rao
Guru Jagadguru
Movie
Shwetha Gulabi
Movie
- 1984
Aaradhane
Movie
Male Banthu Male
Movie
Eradu Rekhegalu
Movie
Runa Mukthalu
Movie
- 1983
Mududida Tavare Aralithu
Govinda Rao
Benkiya Bale
Movie
Kamana Billu
Jois
Ibbani Karagithu
Varun's Father
- 1982
Chalisuva Modagalu
Vishwanath Rao
Nanna Devaru
Movie
Jimmy Gallu
Movie
Hasyarathna Ramakrishna
Movie
Hosa Belaku
Gopalayya
Baadada Hoo
Murthy
- 1981
Snehithara Saval
Movie
Bhoomige Banda Bhagavantha
Cameo
Nee Nanna Gellalare
Movie
Geetha
Srinivas
Leader Vishwanath
Movie
- 1980
Driver Hanumanthu
Movie
Janma Janmada Anubandha
Panduranga
Nyaya Neethi Dharma
Movie
Nammammana Sose
Movie
Ondu Hennu Aaru Kannu
Movie
Auto Raja
Movie
Dhairya Lakshmi
Movie
Vasantha Geetha
Seshadri
1970s
- 1979
Chandanada Gombe
Lakshman Rao
Vijay Vikram
Movie
Putaani Agents 123
Movie
Pakka Kalla
Movie
Naa Ninna Bidalaare
Krishna's father
- 1978
Amarnath
Movie
Vasantha Lakshmi
Narayanappa
Kiladi Jodi
Sadananda
Muyyige Muyyi
Nataraj
Sirithanakke Saval
Movie
Vamsha Jyothi
Sharada's father
Havina Hejje
Movie
Halli Haida
Movie
- 1977
Banashankari
Movie
- 1976
Badavara Bandhu
Badrinath
Kanasu Nanasu
Movie
Bangarada Gudi
Ramanappa
Bayaludaari
Madhava Rao
Raja Nanna Raja
Thirumal Rao
- 1975
Mayura
Shadananasharma
Bhagya Jyothi
Movie
Shubhamangala
Doctor
Daari Thappida Maga
CID Raju
- 1974
Maga Mommaga
Aanand Rao's Father
Eradu Kanasu
Ramu's father
Bangarada Panjara
Junjappa, Beera's foster father
Chamundeshwari Mahime
Movie
Upasane
Subba Rao
- 1973
Mooruvare Vajragalu
Dharmaja
Doorada Betta
Movie
Bidugade
Bhairappa , Shekhar's father
- 1972
Naagarahaavu
Chamayya Meshtru
Naa Mecchida Huduga
Movie
Jaga Mecchida Maga
Aditya's father
Nanda Gokula
Movie
Sipayi Ramu
Hari Singh
Janma Rahasya
Movie
Hrudaya Sangama
Movie
- 1971
Sri Krishna Rukmini Sathyabhama
Satrajit
Nyayave Devaru
Chandrashekharaiah
Thayi Devaru
Movie
Sharapanjara
Narayanappa, Kaveri's father
Kasturi Nivasa
Ramaiah
- 1970
Aaru Mooru Ombhatthu
Lawyer
C.I.D. Rajanna
Movie
1960s
- 1969
Uyyaale
Seshu
Choori Chikkanna
Krishnaraja
Namma Makkalu
Movie
- 1968
Amma
Vasu
Dhoomakethu
Movie
Bhaagyada Baagilu
Shyam Rao
Bengaluru Mail
Guest Appearance
Gandhinagara
Movie
Jedara Bale
Rao Bahaddur Narasimha Rao
- 1967
Immadi Pulikeshi
Harshavardhana
Dhana Pishachi
Inspector
Manasiddare Marga
Movie
Gange Gowri
Narada
- 1966
Sandhya Raaga
Movie
Premamayi
Movie
- 1965
Maduve Madi Nodu
Parameshwaraiah
Bettada Huli
Movie
Sathya Harishchandra
Vasishta
Sarvagna Murthy
Movie
- 1964
Mane Aliya
Shivappa
Prathigne
Mahadevayya
Annapoorna
Movie
Shivarathri Mahathme
Veera Simha, Vijaya's father
- 1963
Sri Rama Anjaneya Yuddha
Movie
Mana Mecchida Madadi
Umakanth, Srinath's father
Veerakesari
Musuku-veera
Sathi Shakthi
Movie
Kulavadhu
Movie
Jeevana Tharanga
Movie
Santha Thukaram
Movie
- 1962
Vidhi Vilasa
Movie
Bhoodana
Movie
- 1961
Nagarjuna
Movie
Kaivara Mahathme
Movie
- 1960
Bhaktha Kanakadasa
Rudranayaka
Dashavathara
Movie
Ranadheera Kanteerava
Nirisha
1950s
- 1959
Mahishasura Mardini
Narada
Jagajyothi Basveshwara
Movie
- 1958
Anna Thangi
Movie
Bhookailasa
Shiva