Well known director-producer Siddalingaiah (81) who was admitted to Suguna Hospital in Rajajinagar a few days back has died due to H1N1. He was critical for the last few days and has breathed his last on Thursday afternoon. He is survived by his family, friends and fans.

Siddalingaiah came to Kannada film industry as a floor assistant and went on to become a well known director in the coming years. His first film as a director was Dr Rajkumar's 'Mayor Muttanna' and Siddalingaiah went on to direct some great films like 'Bangarada Manushya', 'Doorada Betta', 'Nyayave Devaru', 'Bootaiayyana Maga Ayyu' and others. He also turned producer with 'BMA' and went on to produce films like 'Ajeya', 'Prema Parva', 'Prema Pallakki' and others. He was given the Puttanna Kanagal award for his contribution to Kannada cinema in 1993-94. Apart from that his 'Bangarada Manushya' and 'Bhootayyana Maga Ayyu' bagged the best and second best film awards respectively.

Recently Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce president Thomas D'Souza along with others like Ba.Ma. Harish, Krishnegowda, Nandihal, Anand P Raju visited Siddalingaiah visited Suguna Hospital where he has been admitted for the last few days and enquired about his health.

Well known director Siddalingaiah who died on Thursday afternoon due to H1N1 will be cremated on Friday evening at the T R Mill crematorium in Bangalore. Siddalingaiah's grandson and actor Atharva is in Singapore for a shooting and he is expected to be back Friday early morning. After Atharva's arrival from Singapore the next process will be started.

Meanwhile, his body has been kept in his residence in Rajajinagar and many dignitaries like Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Ravichandran, Dr Jayamala, Dwarkish and others visited his house and paid their last respects to the legendary director.