Veteran Kannada filmmaker Joe Simon dies of heart attack at 80
Bengaluru (PTI): Veteran Kannada film director and actor Joe Simon passed away on Friday following a heart attack, industry sources said. He was 80 years old.
Simon suffered a cardiac arrest at the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce in Bengaluru, where he had attended a meeting this afternoon. He was rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead at around 4.30 pm, sources added.
The filmmaker had directed several popular Kannada films, including 'Sahasa Simha', 'Snehada Kadalalli', 'Simha Jodi', and 'Mr Vasu'.
Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar described Simon’s death as an "irreparable loss" to the Kannada film industry.
"Joe Simon, who hailed from Mandya, was active in Kannada cinema for decades. He had worked as an actor, director, and lyricist in more than 100 films," Shivakumar wrote on 'X'.
Expressing grief over his passing, Leader of Opposition R Ashoka recalled Simon’s contribution as an actor, director, and dialogue writer, highlighting his successful films, including Vishnuvardhan’s 'Sahasa Simha'.
Simon had also served as the Vice President of the Kannada Film Directors Association, Ashoka added on 'X'.
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Air India Express introduces late-night Bengaluru–Mangaluru service
International services at M’luru cancelled on March 7
Mangaluru: Air India Express will introduce a late-night daily flight service on the Bengaluru–Mangaluru–Bengaluru sector starting March 10, 2026.
According to the sources, flight IX 5971 will depart from Bengaluru at 9.25 pm and arrive in Mangaluru at 10.40 pm. The return flight, IX 5972, will depart from Mangaluru at 11.10 pm and reach Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru, at 12.20 am.
The additional service will operate daily and will remain in effect until March 28, 2026.
Meanwhile, Air India Express has cancelled all its scheduled international flights from Mangaluru International Airport (IXE) on March 7 due to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.
The Bengaluru–Mangaluru sector already has multiple daily services. Apart from Air India Express, IndiGo also operates flights on this route.
