Senior Kannada film director Joe Simon died in Bengaluru on Friday after suffering a heart attack. He was 80.
He fell ill and collapsed while attending the executive committee meeting of the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce in Bengaluru. He was immediately admitted to the nearby Mallige Hospital for treatment. However, he soon succumbed.
From Mandy
Joe Simon hails from Mandya and was born in 1946. He entered the Kannada film industry in 1967. He has worked as an actor, director and lyricist in more than 100 films. His major films included Sahasa Simha, Simha Jodi, Hongkongnalli Agent, Amar, Snehada Kadalali, Ravi Varma, Maha Prachandaru and Time Bomb.
Joe Simon started directing films in 1977 and Ondu Premada Kathe was his first film. He was a close friend of late veteran actors Vishnuvardhan and Ambareeesh, with whom he worked on big hits like Sahasa Simha, Maha Prachandaru and Hong Kongnalli Agent Amar.
Condolence
Celebrities from the Kannada film industry have expressed their condolences on the death of Joe Simon.
In his condolence message, Kannada and Culture Minister Shivaraj Thangadagi said he directed more than 30 films. “He gave a chance to many new talents and introduced techniques and made a huge contribution to the Kannada film industry. The Kannada film industry has lost a dynamic and creative director,” the minister said.
Published – 13 Feb 2026 23:38 IST