Sandalwood Celebrities Who Passed Away in 2018
Sandalwood have lost many dignitaries in 2018.

Sandalwood has lost many well-known celebrities in 2018. The fans got the big shock in the beginning of the year itself after well-known filmmaker/actor Kashinath passed away. Towards the end of the year, the death of Rebel Star Ambareesh has come as an irreparable loss to Kannada film industry. Here, we bring you the list of notable celebrities who passed away in the year:

Kashinath: Legendary Kannada filmmaker and actor Kashinath has passed away on January 18. He was 67. He was suffering from Hodgkin's lymphoma and was breathed his last after suffering a massive heart attack. In his career, Kashinath directed successful films like Anubhava, Avale Nanna Hendthi, and Anantana Avantara. Under other directors, he was part of some popular films like Love Training, Avane Nanna Ganda and Poli Kitti. 

He shot to fame with his unconventional subjects and made films that were considered taboo in Kannada film industry.

Edakallu Chandrashekhar: Chandrashekhar aka Chandru of Edakallu Guddada Mele fame passed away due to a heart attack in Canada on January 27. He came to limelight with legendary filmmaker Puttanna Kanagal's Edakallu Guddada Mele. The success of the film was such that "Edakallu" became his first name. Thereafter, Chandrashekhar worked in several movies, including Sampathige Saval, Hamsageethe, Raja Nanna Raja, Maagiya Kanasu and Shankar Guru.

PN Sathya: He was credited for giving a break to Darshan with Majestic. He had directed five movies of the Challenging Star and worked with biggies like Sudeep, Shivaraj Kumar, Duniya Vijay, etc. He had also acted in many films.

TV Anchor Chandan: Kannada TV anchor and actor Chandrashekhar (34), who was popularly known as Chandan, was killed in Hanagavadi near Harihara in Davangere district in Karnataka on 24 May. Days after his death, his beloved wife committed suicide.

Vattara Mallesh: Kannada actor Vattara Mallesh, 42, passed away at his residence in Anekal district in Bengaluru on June 6. He had suffered brain stroke and had kidney related issues. The actor, who used to work in a telephone booth, was spotted by a manager of a television serial called Vatara. His journey into films started soon after his entry to the small screen and in a span of 15 years, he worked in over 60 serials and 150 movies in Sandalwood.

Sadashiva Brahmavar: Veteran Kannada actor Sadashiva Brahmavar passed away in September. The actor, who hails from Udupi district, worked in over 150 films and many television serials. He shared screen space with biggies like Dr Rajkumar, Vishnuvardhan, Ambareesh, Ravichandran, Darshan and Sudeep.

MS Rajashekar: Noted filmmaker MS Rajashekar passed away in October due to multi-organ failure at age of 75. He made his debut with Dr Rajkumar-starrer Dhruva Thare and directed over 30 movies that include Ratha Sapthami, Manamecchida Hudugi and Muthanna.

Ambareesh: Actor and politician Ambareesh passed away after suffering cardiac arrest in November. He started with a small role in Nagarahaavu and acted in over 200 movies in a career spanning over five decades. He won several elections in his political career and was a Minister of State of Information and Broadcasting (2006-2008) and served as a minister of Housing in previous Siddaramiah government.

AR Babu: Noted Kannada filmmaker, AR Babu passed away at a private hospital in December. He was reportedly suffering from a kidney-related ailment. He was 56. Hello Yama, Sapno Ki Rani, Coolie Raja, Khalanayaka, Marujanma, Yardu Duddu Yellamana Jatre and Chamkaiysi Chindu Udaisi were some of the popular movies that he directed.

He was known for introducing many talents to Kannada film industry and director Prem was a former protégé of AR Babu.

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