Harihar Gundurao Dattatreya (born 20 April 1942), popularly known as Dattanna, is an Indian actor who has appeared in more than 204 films and several

play Play most commonly refers to: * Play (activity), an activity done for enjoyment * Play (theatre), a work of drama Play may refer also to: Computers and technology * Google Play, a digital content service * Play Framework, a Java framework * P ...

s. Alongside his career as an actor, he served in the

Indian Air Force The Indian Air Force (IAF) (ISO 15919, ISO: ) is the air force, air arm of the Indian Armed Forces. Its primary mission is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during armed conflicts. It was officially established on 8 Octob ...

as an Aeronautical Engineer for over 20 years and also occupied academic positions with

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is an Indian public sector aerospace and defence company, headquartered in Bengaluru. Established on 23 December 1940, HAL is one of the oldest and largest aerospace and defence manufacturers in the world. H ...

(HAL). He is best known for his work in

Kannada cinema Kannada cinema, also known as Sandalwood, or Chandanavana, is the segment of Indian cinema dedicated to the production of motion pictures in the Kannada language widely spoken in the state of Karnataka. Kannada cinema is based in Gandhi Nagar ...

, in which he appears in mostly supporting roles. In a film career of almost three decades, he has won two National Film Award – Special Jury Awards, one

National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor The National Film Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role is an honour presented annually at India's National Film Awards ceremony by the National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC), an organisation set up by the Indian Ministry of I ...

and two

Karnataka State Film Awards Karnataka State Film Awards are the most notable and prestigious film awards given for Kannada film industry in Karnataka, India. These are considered the highest awards for Kannada language films. They are given annually by the Government ...

. He is known for his performances in '' Munnudi'' (2000), ''

Bettada Jeeva ''Bettada Jeeva'' is a National Award-winning (2011) Kannada film directed by P. Sheshadri starring H. G. Dattatreya, Suchendra Prasad, Rameshwari Varma and others. The story is based on Jnanpith awardee K. Shivaram Karanth's novel. It depicts th ...

'' (2011) and '' Bharath Stores'' (2012). In 2022, he was awarded the

Rajyotsava Prashasti The Rajyotsava Prashasti or Rajyotsava Award, the second highest civilian honor of the Karnataka state of India are conferred annually by the Karnataka Government on the occasion of the establishment of the state on 1 November, celebrated as th ...

by the

Government of Karnataka The Government of Karnataka, abbreviated as GoK or GoKA, formerly known as Government of Mysore (1956–1974), is a democratically elected state body with the governor as the ceremonial head to govern the Southwest Indian state of Karnataka ...

Early life and education

Dattatreya was born in 1942 in

Chitradurga Chitradurga is a city and the headquarters of Chitradurga district, which is located on the valley of the Vedavati river in the central part of the Indian state of Karnataka. Chitradurga is a place with historical significance and a major tou ...

, in the erstwhile

Kingdom of Mysore The Kingdom of Mysore was a geopolitical realm in southern India founded in around 1399 in the vicinity of the modern-day city of Mysore and prevailed until 1950. The territorial boundaries and the form of government transmuted substantially ...

(now in

Karnataka Karnataka ( ) is a States and union territories of India, state in the southwestern region of India. It was Unification of Karnataka, formed as Mysore State on 1 November 1956, with the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, States Re ...

, India) to Harihar Gundurao and Venkamma. He has six siblings; brothers Venkatesh, who was a physicist at the

Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur The Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur or IIT-KGP) is a public institute of technology, research university, and autonomous institute established by the Government of India in Kharagpur, West Bengal. Founded in 1951, the in ...

; Suryanarayana Rao, is a professor of English in

University of Mysore The University of Mysore is a public state university in Mysore, Karnataka, India. The university was founded during the reign of Maharaja Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV and the premiership of Sir M. Visvesvaraya. The university is recognised by t ...

; and H. G. Somashekar Rao, a writer and an occasional actor. Dattatreya completed his education in Chitradurga. He secured the first rank in his matriculation exams in 1958, and second rank on completion of his

pre-university course According to the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED), basic education comprises the two stages primary education and lower secondary education. Universal basic education Basic education featured heavily in the 1997 ISCED ...

in 1959. He graduated with a degree in electrical engineering from

University of Visvesvaraya College of Engineering UVCE (University of Visvesvaraya College of Engineering) is a premier public university under the Govt of Karnataka, at Bangalore. The Government of Karnataka, Govt of Karnataka has declared it as an Institution of State Eminence for its contri ...

(UVCE),

Bangalore Bengaluru, also known as Bangalore (List of renamed places in India#Karnataka, its official name until 1 November 2014), is the Capital city, capital and largest city of the southern States and union territories of India, Indian state of Kar ...

, in 1964. In 1978, he obtained a master's degree in electrical communication engineering from

Indian Institute of Science The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) is a Public university, public, Deemed university, deemed, research university for higher education and research in science, engineering, design, and management. It is located in Bengaluru, Karnataka. The ...

(IISc), Bengaluru.

Career

In Indian Air Force

After graduating in 1964, Dattatreya joined the

, as a Commissioned Officer in its technical branch. He subsequently trained at Air Force Technical College, Bangalore, and while studying his post graduation at IISc, Bangalore, he received a certificate on completion of a project on Management and Advance Technologies, in 1984. He served the IAF for over 20 years, before retiring as a

Wing Commander Wing commander (Wg Cdr or W/C) is a senior officer rank used by some air forces, with origins from the Royal Air Force. The rank is used by air forces of many countries that have historical British influence. Wing commander is immediately se ...

. Upon retirement, he served in the Management Academy of

(HAL), the Staff Training College, as its Deputy General Manager and Principal.

As actor

Dattatreya began acting in plays in the late 1950s and early 1960s, and while studying engineering in college at UVCE. His first appearance in a Kannada film came in

T. S. Nagabharana Talakadu Srinivasaiah Nagabharana (born 23 January 1953), commonly known as T. S. Nagabharana, is an Indian film director, in the Kannada film industry and a pioneer of parallel cinema. He is one of the few film directors to have straddled th ...

's ''

Aasphota ''Aasphota'' ( ) is 1988 Indian Kannada-language, Kannada political drama film directed by T. S. Nagabharana, based on the novel ''Ayana'' by Manu (P. N. Rangan). The film stars Sridhar (Kannada actor), Sridhar and H. G. Dattatreya, in his film ...

'' (1988), which earned him the

Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actor Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actor is a state film award of the Indian state of Karnataka given during the annual Karnataka State Film Awards. The award honours Kannada language films. Superlative Winners Award winners The f ...

. Since then, he went on to appear in several films that have won multiple awards such as ''

Kraurya ''Kraurya'' () is a 1996 Indian Kannada language drama film directed by Girish Kasaravalli, based on a story written by T. N. Seetharam about an old woman who has to deal with complex relationships with people of different generations she is put ...

'' (1996) and '' Munnudi'' (2000). His performance in the latter film earned him the

and the

Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actor Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actor is a state film award of the Indian state of Karnataka given during the annual Karnataka State Film Awards. The award honours Kannada Language films. Superlatives Recipients The first recipient was ...

. Dattatreya's performances in '' Mouni'' (2003) won him a National Film Award – Special Jury Award at the 51st National Film Awards. In the 2012 released film '' Bharath Stores'', his role as Govinda Shetty, a Grocery shop owner hit hard when the Union Government increases

foreign direct investment A foreign direct investment (FDI) is an ownership stake in a company, made by a foreign investor, company, or government from another country. More specifically, it describes a controlling ownership an asset in one country by an entity based i ...

in the retail sector, won widespread critical acclaim. He won his second National Special Jury Award at the

60th National Film Awards The 60th National Film Awards ceremony was an event during which the Directorate of Film Festivals presented its annual National Film Awards to honour the best films of 2012 in the Indian cinema. The ceremony was held on 3 May 2013 and was host ...

. He was also awarded the Best Actor at the International Film Festival in Fiji in 2013.

Partial filmography

* ''Udbhav'' (1988) - Hindi * ''

'' (1988) * ''Madhuri'' (1989) * '' Santha Shishunala Sharifa'' (1990) * '' Mysore Mallige'' (1992) * '' Harakeya Kuri'' (1992) * '' Chinnari Mutha''(1993) * ''

Kotreshi Kanasu ''Kotreshi Kanasu'' (, ''Dream of Kotreshi'') is a 1994 Indian Kannada language film directed by Nagathihalli Chandrashekar starring Vijay Raghavendra and Karibasavaiah. The film won two National Film Awards at 42nd National Film Awards; Bes ...

'' (1994) * ''Lady Police'' (1995) * ''

'' (1996) * ''Ganga Yamuna'' (1997) * ''

Ulta Palta Ulta Palta may refer to: * ''Ulta Palta'' (1997 film), an Indian Kannada-language comedy film by N. S. Shankar, based on William Shakespeare's ''The Comedy of Errors'' * ''Ulta Palta'' (1998 film), an Indian Telugu-language comedy film by Relangi ...

'' (1997) * '' America America'' (1997) * ''

Andaman Andaman may refer to: * Andaman Islands, an island group in the Bay of Bengal * Andaman Island, Penang, an artificial island in George Town, Penang * Andaman Sea, a sea of the eastern Indian Ocean * ''Andaman'' (1998 film), an Indian Kannada-lang ...

'' (1998) * '' Hoomale'' (1998) * ''Maha Edabidangi'' (1999) * ''Chaithrada Chiguru'' (1999) * '' Prema Prema Prema'' (1999) *''

Thilaadanam ''Thiladaanam'' ( English title: ''The Rite... A Passion'') is a 2000 Indian Telugu-language drama film, written and directed by film-critic K. N. T. Sastry in his debut directorial, based on a story by Rentala Nageswara Rao. The film features H ...

'' (2000; Telugu) * '' Munnudi'' (2000)... Hasanabba * '' Mussanje'' (2001) * ''Chandana Chiguru'' (2001) * ''

Atithi Atithi ( in Indian languages) may refer to: * Atithi (1965 film), ''Atithi'' (1965 film), a 1965 Bengali film * ''Atithee'', a 1978 Hindi film * Atithi (2002 film), ''Atithi'' (2002 film), a 2002 Kannada film * Atithi (2007 film), ''Atithi'' (2007 ...

'' (2002) * '' Don'' (2003) * '' Mouni'' (2003) * ''

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'' (2004)...Haladi Nagappa's ghost * ''

Dharma Dharma (; , ) is a key concept in various Indian religions. The term ''dharma'' does not have a single, clear Untranslatability, translation and conveys a multifaceted idea. Etymologically, it comes from the Sanskrit ''dhr-'', meaning ''to hold ...

'' (2004) * '' Joke falls'' (2004) * ''

Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (Bhīmrāo Rāmjī Āmbēḍkar; 14 April 1891 – 6 December 1956) was an Indian jurist, economist, social reformer and political leader who chaired the committee that drafted the Constitution of India based on t ...

'' (2005) * '' Beru'' (2005) * '' Siddu'' (2005) * ''

Rama Shama Bhama ''Rama Shama Bhama'' is a 2005 Indian Kannada language comedy film directed by Ramesh Aravind making his directorial debut and the film stars himself in lead role with Kamal Haasan, Urvashi, Daisy Bopanna and Shruthi portraying supporting ro ...

'' (2005) * '' Thutturi'' (2006) * ''

Miss California The Miss California competition selects the representative for the state of California in the Miss America competition. The pageant began in Santa Cruz in 1924 and was held there in 1925. During the years 1926 through 1946 in years when the M ...

'' (2006) * '' Uppi Dada M.B.B.S.'' (2006) * '' SMS 6260'' (2007) * ''Masanada Makkalu'' (2007) * ''

Sathyavan Savithri ''Sathyavan Savithri'' () is a 2007 Kannada comedy film directed by Ramesh Aravind and produced by Ajay Chandani for Ajay Films banner. The story written by Rajendra Karanth, is inspired by a famous French play ''Fleur de cactus'' by Pierre Ba ...

'' (2007) * '' Kaada Beladingalu'' (2007) * ''Atheetham'' (2007) * '' Hani Hani'' (2008) * '' Anu'' (2009) * '' Maleyali Jotheyali'' (2009)...Col. Thammayya * ''Kurunadu'' (2009) * ''Daatu'' (2009) * ''Anishchitha'' (2010) * ''

Cheluveye Ninne Nodalu ''Cheluveye Ninne Nodalu'' is a 2010 Indian Kannada-language film written and directed by D. P. Raghuram. It stars Shiva Rajkumar and Sonal Chauhan. The film was notable for having scenes shot in the New7Wonders of the World, seven wonders of th ...

'' (2010)... Gopala Gowda * '' Johny Mera Naam Preethi Mera Kaam'' (2011) * ''

'' (2011)... Gopalaiah * '' Allide Nammane Illi Bande Summane'' (2011) * '' Paramathma'' (2011)... Appanna * '' Dashamukha'' (2012) * '' Bharath Stores'' (2012)... Govinda Shetty * '' December-1'' (2014) * ''Matthe Satyagraha'' (2014) * '' Bahaddur'' (2014) * '' Baanaadi'' (2014) * '' Haggada Kone'' (2014) * ''Male Nilluvavarege'' (2015) * ''

Endendigu ''Endendigu'' () is a 2015 Indian Kannada romantic thriller film written directed by Imran Sardhariya, and stars Ajay Rao and Radhika Pandit in the lead roles. The supporting cast features Shanthamma, Ashok, Kalyani Raju, Pavitra Lokesh, Tabl ...

'' (2015) * ''

Vidaaya ''Vidaaya'' (; ''Farewell'') is a 2015 Indian Kannada film written and directed by P. Sheshadri, starring Lakshmi Gopalaswamy, Suchendra Prasad, H. G. Dattatreya and Pratham in lead roles. Plot Vasuki is a father of two children, who is in a ...

'' (2015) * '' Parapancha'' (2016) * '' Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu'' (2016) * ''Home Stay'' (2016) * ''Jigarthanda'' (2016) * '' Run Anthony'' (2016) * '' Santheyalli Nintha Kabira'' (2016) * '' Happy Birthday'' (2016) * ''

Neer Dose ''Neer Dose'' is a 2016 Indian Kannada-language black comedy film produced by T. Goswami and Shashikala Balaji, written and directed by Vijaya Prasad. It stars Jaggesh and Hariprriya alongside Suman Ranganathan and H. G. Dattatreya. It was one ...

'' (2016) * ''

Doddmane Hudga ''Doddmane Hudga'' is a 2016 Indian Kannada-language action drama film co-written and directed by Duniya Soori, featuring Puneeth Rajkumar and Radhika Pandit. The film also features an ensemble cast of Ambareesh, Sumalatha, Bharathi Vishnuvardh ...

(2016)'' * ''Srinivasa Kalyana'' (2017) * '' Jilebi'' (2017) * ''Prathima'' (2017) * ''

Raajakumara ''Raajakumara'' () is a 2017 Indian Kannada-language action drama film directed by Santhosh Ananddram and produced by Vijay Kiragandur under Hombale Films. It stars Puneeth Rajkumar, alongside Priya Anand. R. Sarathkumar, Ananth Nag, Prakas ...

'' (2017) * ''Tab'' (2017) * '' Kempiruve'' (2017) * ''Hombanna'' (2017) *'' Churikatte'' (2018) * ''

Kannadakkaagi Ondannu Otti ''Kannadakkaagi Ondannu Otti'' (English: Dial One for Kannada) is a 2018 Indian Kannada-language film directed by Kushal Gowda starring Shatamarshan Avinash and Krishi Thapanda. The cast includes Chikkanna, Dattanna, Rangayana Raghu, Suchendra ...

'' (2018) * ''Double Engine'' (2018) * ''

Loudspeaker A loudspeaker (commonly referred to as a speaker or, more fully, a speaker system) is a combination of one or more speaker drivers, an enclosure, and electrical connections (possibly including a crossover network). The speaker driver is an ...

'' (2018) * ''Amrutha Ghalige'' (2018) * '' Joshelay'' (2018) - Web Series * ''Ajja'' (2018) * ''

Ananthu Vs Nusrath ''Ananthu vs Nusrath'' is a 2018 Indian Kannada-language romantic comedy film written and directed by Sudheer Shanbhogue. Produced under the banner Manikya Productions, the film tells the love story between a lawyer and a judge. The film stars V ...

'' (2018) * ''

Mission Mangal ''Mission Mangal'' () is a 2019 Indian drama film directed by Jagan Shakti and produced by Cape of Good Films, Hope Productions, Fox Star Studios, Aruna Bhatia and Anil Naidu. Loosely based on the life of scientists at the Indian Space Research ...

'' (Hindi) (2019) * ''

Premier Padmini The Premier Padmini was a four-seat saloon manufactured in India from 1964 to 2001 by Premier Automobiles Limited, a division of the Walchand Group, under licence from Fiat and marketed initially as the ''Fiat 1100 Delight'' — and from 197 ...

'' (2019) * '' Sarvajanikarige Suvarnavakasha'' (2019) * '' Brahmachari'' (2019) * '' Act 1978'' (2020)...Venkatachalaiah * ''

SriKrishna@gmail.com ''SriKrishna@gmail.com'' is a 2021 Indian Kannada language, Kannada Romance film, romantic film written and directed by Nagashekar. The film was produced by Sandesh.N and co-produced by Brunda Jayaram under the banner Sandesh Productions. It ...

'' (2021) * '' Rider'' (2021) as Principal * ''Nan Hesaru Kishora Yel Pass Yentu'' (2021) * ''Four Walls & Two Nighties '' (2022)...Mavayya * '' Selfie Mummy Googl Daddy'' (2022) * '' Totapuri: Chapter 1'' (2022) * ''

Raghavendra Stores ''Raghavendra Stores'' is a 2023 Indian Kannada-language comedy drama film written and directed by Santhosh Ananddram, and produced by Vijay Kiragandur under the banner Hombale Films, which marks the third collaboration of Santhosh Ananddram ...

'' (2023)...Gunda Bhat * ''Jersey Number 10'' (2023) * '' Thothapuri: Chapter 2'' (2023) * ''

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'' (2023) * '' My Hero'' (2024) * ''

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'' (2024)

Awards and nominations

* 1987–88:

: ''

'' *

2000 2000 was designated as the International Year for the Culture of Peace and the World Mathematics, Mathematical Year. Popular culture holds the year 2000 as the first year of the 21st century and the 3rd millennium, because of a tende ...

: '' Munnudi'' * 2000: Film Fans Association Award for Best Supporting Actor: '' Munnudi'' * 2000–01:

: '' Munnudi'' *

2003 2003 was designated by the United Nations as the International Year of Fresh water, Freshwater. In 2003, a Multi-National Force – Iraq, United States-led coalition 2003 invasion of Iraq, invaded Iraq, starting the Iraq War. Demographic ...

: National Film Award – Special Jury Award: '' Mouni'' * 2011: Nominated :

Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor – Kannada The Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award is and award presented annually by the ''Filmfare'' magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards South for Kannada films. It is given in honor of an actor who has delivered an outstanding performance in ...

: ''

'' *

2012 2012 was designated as: *International Year of Cooperatives *International Year of Sustainable Energy for All Events January *January 4 – The Cicada 3301 internet hunt begins. * January 12 – Peaceful protests begin in the R ...

: National Film Award – Special Jury Award : '' Bharath Stores'' * 2013: Best Actor Award at the Fiji International Film Festival for '' Bharath Stores'' * 2016: Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor – Kannada for ''

'' * 2016: Nominated, SIIMA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Kannada for ''

'' * 2016: Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor – Kannada for '' Kempirve'' * 2022:

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Dattatreya, H. G. 1942 births Living people People from Chitradurga Male actors in Kannada cinema Indian male film actors Indian male stage actors Indian Institute of Science alumni Male actors from Karnataka 20th-century Indian male actors 21st-century Indian male actors Best Supporting Actor National Film Award winners Special Mention (feature film) National Film Award winners University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering alumni Recipients of the Rajyotsava Award 2022