Bangalore, May 17 : The 77-year-old actor and producer BM Venkatesh passed away on Tuesday morning of acute pneumonia in his residence in Sadashivanagar, Bangalore. He served the theatre and cinema for 48 years. He entered the theatre activities in 1957 in Keerthisesha Gubbi Veeranna Company. His looks resembled Akkineni Nageshwara Rao, so he changed his name to Venkateshwara Rao.

BMV was introduced to cinema by Hunsur Krishnamurthy for ‘Veera Sankalpa’. He continued his journey as actor in Chakratheertha, Jaganmohihi, Rajasekhar, Jwalamohini, Post Master, Madhve Madhve, Mamatheya Bandhana, Miss Bangalore, Mallige Sampige, Ondhe Balliya Hoogalu, Addadhari, Gandugali Rama, Kannika Parameshwari Kathe, as supporting actor in Mayoor, Boothaiana Maga Ayyu, Veerappan, Mayor Muthanna, Vijayakadga, Ganda Mane Makkalu,  Gandhada Gudi-II and others.

Under the banners of Maharaja Movies and Mamatha Movies BM Venkatesh produced Nyayave Devaru, Ganesha Madhuve, Thappida Thaala, Thabbaliyu Neenadhe Magane, Godhuli, Gandugali Rama, Mallige Sampige, Mahapurusha and Mamatheya Bandhana.

The cremation of BMV takes place May 18 afternoon, says his son Arun. BMV was supposed to receive Sri Raghavendra Chitravani award on May 29. He was former president of Kannada film producers association and former president of KFCC.

The Kannada film industry mourned the death of BMV.