Veteran Kannada filmmaker and actor Joe Simon passed away on Friday after suffering a heart attack, industry sources confirmed. He was 80. Simon reportedly collapsed at the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce in Bengaluru while attending a meeting earlier in the day, prompting immediate concern among colleagues present at the venue.

He was rushed to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment but was declared dead at around 4:30 pm, sources said. His sudden demise has sent shockwaves through the Kannada film fraternity, where he was regarded as a versatile and dedicated contributor who remained active in cinema-related activities well into his later years.

Over a career spanning several decades, Simon directed a number of popular Kannada films, including Sahasa Simha, Snehada Kadalalli, Simha Jodi, and Mr Vasu. Beyond direction, he built a reputation as a multi-talented creative professional, working as an actor, lyricist, and dialogue writer. Industry figures note that he contributed to more than 100 films, leaving a significant footprint in Karnataka’s regional cinema landscape.

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Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar described Simon’s death as an “irreparable loss” to the Kannada film industry. In a message posted on social media platform X, Shivakumar highlighted Simon’s decades-long service to cinema and recalled his wide-ranging contributions across multiple creative roles.

Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka also expressed grief, noting that Simon’s work as an actor, director, and dialogue writer had earned him lasting recognition. He particularly referenced the success of Sahasa Simha and Simon’s enduring association with leading figures of Kannada cinema.

Simon, who hailed from Mandya district, also served as vice president of the Kannada Film Directors Association, reflecting his leadership role within the industry’s professional community. Colleagues and admirers remembered him as a committed filmmaker whose work helped shape mainstream Kannada cinema over several decades.

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