Girish Karnad was a play writer, screenwriter, actor and director who predominantly worked in Bollywood as well as South Indian cinema. A recipient of many honors and awards including The Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Jnanpith award for his contribution to literature, Girish was known as an accomplished actor who acted in films like Nishaant, Manthan, Swami, Man Pasand, Pukar, Ek Tha Tiger and Tiger Zinda Hai. Besides Kannada films, he had directed Bollywood films like Godhuli and Utsav.