Vasanth Mokashi Punekar writer of Shankar Nag’s cult-classic Kannada film “Accident” passes away

Vasanth Mokashi Punekar writer of Shankar Nag’s cult-classic Kannada film “Accident” passes away

Vasanth Mokashi Punekar who scripted for Shankar Nag’s
cult-classic Kannada film “Accident” breathed his last on Sunday 7 July, in Dharwad following prolonged illness.

He is the son of renowned Kannada writer Shankar Mokashi Punekar. He produced film Gangavva Gangamayi based on the popular novel of the same name by his father. He spent most his days as a writer in Bengaluru and Mumbai.

Arundhati Nag, actor and founder who collaborated with him for Accident said it was nice working with him for Accident,” and felt enlightened whenever she spoke to him. He would often visited Ranga Shankara with his wife and regrets for not having worked with him for long.

Accident, a crime drama acknowledged for its fine visual storytelling, bagged the National Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues in 1985. Notedly, the film bagged five Karnataka State Film Awards, including for Best Screenplay for Vasanth Mokashi. In an interview with a film portal Film Mokashi recalled that the story of Accident was inspired by a real event in Mumbai.

As per Manu Chakravarthy, Film Critic, Vasanth Mokashi had a strong visual sense. He wouldn’t write regular linear plots but liked constructing abstract realities driven by images adding that he was extremely fond of Hindi poetry, with ‘Dhoomil’ being one of his favourites. Mokashi was also a great admirer of filmmakers Kamal Swaroop and Mani Kaul. In 2014, Mokashi served as the artistic director of the Karnataka International Children’s Film Festival.

RIP Vasanth Mokashi Punekar.

News Edit K.V.Raman