Kashinath

**Kashinath** (born Kashinatha Hathwara; May 8, 1951 – January 18, 2018) was an Indian actor, director, writer, and producer who revolutionized Kannada cinema. Widely recognized as a trailblazer and trendsetter, he carved a distinct niche for himself through satirical comedies, bold societal themes, clever wordplay, and unconventional narratives that challenged mainstream cinema norms.

Born in Markod near Kundapura in the Udupi district of Karnataka, Kashinath moved to Bengaluru to pursue his creative ambitions. He made his directorial debut with the comedy drama *Aparoopada Athithigalu* (1976), followed by the pathbreaking suspense thriller *Aparichita* (1978), which won critical acclaim and was later remade by him in Hindi as *Be-Shaque*. In 1984, he transitioned to lead acting with *Anubhava*, a bold exploration of human relationships that turned into an enormous commercial success and cemented his unique filmmaking voice.