His real name was Malavalli Huchche Gowda Amarnath, but he became popularly known as Ambareesh after entering films.
He earned the title “Rebel Star” for his strong, defiant roles in cinema, and “Mandya-da Gandu” (Man of Mandya) for his deep connection with the people of Mandya district.
Ambareesh’s debut film Naagarahaavu (1972) was directed by Puttanna Kanagal, where he played a negative role that immediately caught attention.
He acted in over 200 films across multiple languages, including Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Hindi.
Despite his fame as an actor, he was equally respected in politics, serving as a Member of Parliament and holding ministerial positions.
He was married to actress Sumalatha, who later entered politics and became a Member of Parliament from Mandya.
Ambareesh was known for his generosity and was often referred to as “Kaliyuga Karna” for his charitable nature.
He was close friends with several film stars and politicians, including Rajinikanth and Vishnuvardhan.
His funeral in 2018 was attended by thousands, reflecting his immense popularity and the love he commanded among fans and the public.