Veteran actor and playwright Lohithashwa passes away at 80

Noted stage, TV, and film actor Lohithashwa passed away in a Bengaluru private hospital on Tuesday. The 80-year-old is said to have been suffering from a prolonged, age-related illness and was admitted to a hospital nearly a month ago to seek treatment. However, he would end up suffering a heart attack and develop brain-related issues in the hospital. 

While he showed signs of improvement, his breathing, blood pressure, and other vitals began to deteriorate and he would breathe his last at 2:40 pm on Tuesday, November 8.

His son and fellow actor Sharath Lohithashwa informed the media that the mortal remains will be kept at their Kumaraswamy Layout residence till Wednesday morning so that fans and well-wishers to pay their respects. The remains will then be shifted to the veteran actor's native Thondagere (Tumakuru district) where the last rites will be performed on the evening of November 9.

T.S. Lohithashwa began his professional journey as an English professor before he plunged into the world of cinema to pursue his passion for acting. Abhimanyu, A.K. 47, Apathbandhava, Bete, CBI Shiva, Ekalayva, Indrajith, Police Lockup, etc. - Lohithashwa has acted in more than 500 Kannada films, stage plays, and television serials. He was often spotted playing the chief minister's role in movies. Some of his popular serials include Malgudi Days, Natyarani, Gruhabhanda, and Antim Raja.

As a playwright, Lohithashwa has written popular Kannada plays like 27 Mavalli Circle, Bharatha Darshana, Katthaley Daari Doora, and Mote Raman Sathyagraha (directed by M.S. Sathyu), among others.

Paying his respects and expressing grief over the demise, Karnataka chief minister Basavaraj Bommai took to social media and wrote, "Saddened to hear the passing of Mr. Lohithashwa, who had found a permanent place in the hearts of Kannadigas for his iconic voice and strong performances. pray for his soul. I pray that God gives strength to his family to bear this grief. Om Shanthi."