Kannada TV director Vinod Dhondale dies by alleged suicide at 49

Bengaluru, NT Bureau: Kannada television serial director and producer Vinod Dhondale, 49, allegedly died by suicide at his Bengaluru residence on Saturday morning. The incident was discovered around 11:30 am when Dhondale’s wife found him dead.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) S. Girish confirmed that Dhondale left a death note, stating he alone was responsible for his death and did not blame anyone, as per reports.

Dhondale, who lived in Maruthi Nagar, Nagarbhavi, with his wife Geetha and three children, is believed to have been under severe financial strain, with significant debts.

Police suspect his financial woes were exacerbated by a large investment in the movie ‘Ashok Blade,’ where, despite 70 per cent of the shooting being completed, the budget had surpassed initial estimates.

Vinod Dhondale directed popular TV serials such as ‘Karimani,’ ‘Shantam Paapam,’ and ‘Mounaraga,’ and was preparing to transition to cinema with his film. The Chandra Layout police have registered a case of unnatural death and have initiated an investigation.