The Kannada film industry is in a state of profound grief following a heartbreaking personal tragedy. Filmmaker Kirtan Nadagouda, a well-known figure behind major projects, and his wife Samrudhi are enduring the most painful phase of their lives after the tragic loss of their four-year-old son, Chiranjeevi Sonarsh K. Nadagouda. The young child died in a lift accident on Tuesday.
A Promising Career in Cinema
Kirtan Nadagouda has built a significant reputation as a filmmaker. He served as the second unit director and assistant director under Prashanth Neel for the blockbuster 'KGF' franchise starring Yash. Following this success, he continued his collaboration with Neel on the Prabhas-led action thriller 'Salaar'.
In a career milestone, Nadagouda had announced his directorial debut in November 2023. The project is an untitled horror film backed by the producers of Allu Arjun's 'Pushpa 2: The Rule', with Prashanth Neel also associated. Featuring actors Surya Raj, Hanu Reddy, and Preethi Pagadala, with cinematography by Dinesh Divakaran, the film was described by Nadagouda as a "scary journey." The shoot was imminent but is now understandably on hold.
An Unimaginable Personal Loss
The filmmaker's wife, Samrudhi Kirtan, is a makeup and hair artist. The couple's social media often featured joyful and smiling pictures with their late son, Chiranjeevi, making the sudden loss even more devastating for their family, friends, and colleagues.
The accident, which involved the child getting trapped in a lift, has sent shockwaves through the film communities of Karnataka and Telugu states, where Nadagouda is also known.
Industry and Leaders Offer Condolences
Condolences have poured in from across the Indian film industry and political sphere. Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Pawan Kalyan, expressed his deep sorrow on social media platform X.
He wrote, "The demise of director Shri Keerthan Naadagoud Kumar's son has caused profound grief... Learning that four-and-a-half-year-old Sonarsh attained salvation after getting trapped in a lift has caused me intense heartache." He extended his deepest condolences to the couple and prayed for their mental fortitude.
Fellow stars, technicians, and numerous others have shared their support for the grieving family during this incredibly difficult time, highlighting the close-knit nature of the film fraternity in the face of tragedy.
