Kannada actor and director Guruprasad found dead at Bengaluru home

The 52-year-old filmmaker was celebrated for his notable works, including Mata, Eddelu Manjunatha, and Director's Special.

Renowned Kannada actor and director Guruprasad was discovered dead today in his Bengaluru apartment, according to police reports.

Police were alerted by neighbors in Bengaluru's Dasanapura area, who reported a strong odor coming from his apartment, prompting a police team to investigate.

The 52-year-old filmmaker was celebrated for his notable works, including Mata, Eddelu Manjunatha, and Director's Special.

Police revealed they found Guruprasad's decomposed body hanging in the drawing room. Although an investigation is ongoing, initial reports suggest he had been dealing with financial troubles and pressure from creditors. Authorities are examining all possible angles, including the likelihood of suicide.

According to reports, Guru Prasad had been under financial strain after his recent film Ranganayaka performed poorly, leading to rising debts. These challenges reportedly contributed to his depression.

He had recently remarried after his first marriage ended in divorce. However, for the past eight months, he had been residing alone in the Madanayakanahalli area of northern Bengaluru.

Known for hits like Mata (2006) and Eddelu Manjunatha (2009), Guru Prasad also served as a judge on Kannada reality shows.  He was celebrated for his satirical approach and socially relevant narratives. His debut, Mata (2006), garnered praise for its distinct storytelling style, and he later achieved notable success with Eddelu Manjunatha (2009), a dark comedy that earned the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Screenplay.

His latest release, Ranganayaka (2024), struggled at the box office, reportedly worsening his financial challenges.