Television actor Mina Chandru dead

Bangalore, July 16 (IANS) Popular film and television actor Mina Chandru died of liver complications in a private hospital here Thursday afternoon. He was 44.

He is survived by his 40-year-old wife Shobha, a theatre artist, and 10-year-old son Mithra.

Mourning his death, B. Suresha, secretary of the Karnataka Television Association, said: "Television industry has lost one of its most talented actors."

Yogaraj Bhat, director of Kannada blockbuster "Mungaru Male", described Mina Chandru as an actor with abundant talent.

"I'm really shocked with the news. I can't believe that Chandru, who had acted so well in my film 'Mani', is dead. He was a very fine actor and I would have loved to cast him again," said Bhat.

Other well-known TV artists and technicians too paid last respects to Mina Chandru.

Born and brought up in Bangalore, Mina Chandru started his acting career with an amateur theatre groups. He had a flair for writing and wrote scripts for several television serials in which he had also acted.

He also directed serials like "Kuberappa and Sons", "Hogli Bidi Sir" and "Mane ManeKathe". As an actor he proved his mettle in popular serials like "Baduku Jataka Bandi", "Saadhane" and "Naaku Thanthi".

Mina Chandru ventured into films with veteran director K.S.L. Swamethe's 1991 award winning children's film "Jambu Savaari". After that he acted in more than 35 films including successful movies like "Gowramma", "Kutumba", "Samra", "Ranga S.S.L.C" and "Ulta Palta". His performances in "Mani" and "Tapori" earned him rave reviews.