Heartbreaking: KGF And Salaar Co-Director Kirtan Nadagouda’s Four-Year-Old Son Dies In Tragic Lift Accident
Heartbreaking: KGF And Salaar Co-Director Kirtan Nadagouda’s Four-Year-Old Son Dies In Tragic Lift Accident
Andhra Pradesh Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan calls the incident heartbreaking, film industry mourns the sudden loss
A pall of grief has descended on the South Indian film fraternity after the four-and-a-half-year-old son of filmmaker Kirtan Nadagouda, co-director of blockbuster films KGF and Salaar, died in a tragic lift accident. The child, Sonarsh K. Nadagouda, lost his life after getting stuck in an elevator while playing, according to multiple media reports.
The incident reportedly occurred on December 15, when the toddler entered an elevator alone during playtime. He is believed to have suffered severe injuries after getting trapped inside the lift. Family members rushed him to a hospital immediately, where doctors attempted to save his life. However, despite medical efforts, Sonarsh succumbed to his injuries. Reports describe the accident as sudden and devastating, leaving the family and those close to them in shock.
According to a report cited by Kannada Prabha, relatives of the Nadagouda family described the loss as “unbearable” and said Sonarsh was a cheerful, energetic child who brought joy to everyone around him. His untimely death has left the family shattered.
The tragedy has drawn condolences from several prominent figures, including Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and actor Pawan Kalyan, who expressed his grief through a social media post. In his message, Pawan Kalyan wrote, “The son of director Keertana Nadagowda has passed away and the incident is very heartbreaking. I am deeply saddened by the tragic incident that has befallen the family of Keertana Nadagowda, who made her debut in Telugu and Kannada direction. Sonarsh K. Nadagowda, son of Keertana and Mrs. Samriddhi Patel, has passed away…”
His words echoed the sentiments of many in the film industry and among fans, who expressed sorrow and solidarity with the bereaved family.
Kirtan Nadagouda is a well-known name in South Indian cinema, particularly for his association with director Prashanth Neel. He worked as an assistant director on both parts of the KGF franchise, which achieved massive commercial and critical success across India. He was also involved in Salaar, another high-profile project backed by Neel. Recently, Nadagouda had announced his directorial debut, a horror film produced under Prashanth Neel’s banner, making the personal tragedy even more painful amid a promising phase of his career.
The incident has once again highlighted concerns around elevator safety, especially in residential buildings where children may unknowingly access lifts without supervision. While details regarding the exact circumstances of how the child got trapped are still emerging, the tragedy has prompted calls for greater awareness and stricter safety measures to prevent such accidents.
As messages of condolence continue to pour in, the focus remains on supporting the grieving family through this unimaginable loss. The sudden death of a young child has deeply affected not just those close to the Nadagouda family, but also colleagues and admirers across the film industry, who have described the incident as heartbreaking and difficult to comprehend.
