Kannada actor Puneeth Rajkumar passed away on Friday at Vikram hospital in Bengaluru after suffering a heart attack. He was 46. The actor’s funeral, which was earlier scheduled to take place on Saturday, will now take place on Sunday. The state government took this decision to give people a chance to pay their last respects.
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Puneeth complained of chest pain on Friday morning and visited his family doctor for an ECG. Following the ECG, he was asked to rush to the hospital. He arrived at Vikram Hospital in a serious condition, a doctor at the hospital said.
Puneeth Rajkumar was the son of legendary actor Rajkumar and Parvathamma. He married Ashwini Revanth in 1999. He was fondly called Appu by his fans.
Also Read: Bengaluru News Live Updates
He started his career as a child artist with Bettada Hoovu (1985). The actor won a slew of awards as a child actor, including a National Film Award. He starred in the lead role in over 29 Kannada films, including Abhi, Veera Kannadiga, Arasu, Raam, Ajay, Hudugaru and Anjani Putra. He was last seen in Yuvarathnaa, which released early this year.
Besides being an actor, Puneeth was also a singer par excellence. He had revealed that his remuneration from singing goes to charity. In 2012, Puneeth also hosted the first season of Kannadada Kotyadhipati, modelled on the Amitabh Bachchan-hosted show Kaun Banega Crorepati. Read less
On Friday, Puneeth Rajkumar had wished the team of Bhajarangi 2, which stars his brother Shivarajkumar. He had tweeted, "Best wishes for the entire team of #Bhajarangi2. @NimmaShivanna @NimmaAHarsha @JayannaFilms."
Puneeth Rajkumar’s mortal remains will be kept at Kanteerava stadium for people to pay homage.
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Actress Hansika Motwani made her Kannada debut opposite Puneeth in the 2008 hit film Bindaas. She had told News 18, “I remember I was really nervous as Bindaas was my first Kannada film. But Puneeth sir made sure that I was comfortable. I had a great experience working with him. I was just 19 and he was a superstar back then too, but he was really welcoming. He was really generous and was always passionate about his work.”
Motwani added, “I didn’t know the language and was a bit clueless as I didn’t understand a lot of things on the set, but he was always kind, guiding me and telling me everything in the sets. In fact, he would even give cues during the shoot which made things a lot confident for me.”
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Amitabh Bachchan wrote on his blog, 'There have been 2 deaths of the near and dear since the morning and there is a grief that cannot be put in words ..one of them .. the news has been shocking .. Puneet Rajkumar, the younger son of the legendary icon of Kanada cinema, Raj Kumar, and a star in his own right, passed away today .. he was just 46 years, and this has put all of us in great shock ...the family of late Rajkumar have ever been extremely close ..My prayers condolences ..'
The final rites were conducted according to traditions of Ediga community of the Hindu religion.
The police band played the national anthem and fired three rounds in the air, followed by two minutes of silence as a mark of respect. The national tri-colour that was wrapped on Puneeth’s body.
Karnata CM Basavaraj Bommai, who has known Puneeth since his childhood, became emotional and was seen kissing his forehead before the last rites.
The family members thanked the Karnataka government, police and fans for the well organised funeral of Puneeth Rajkumar on Sunday. Shivarajkumar, elder brother of Puneeth thanked Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai for the arrangements. "I also thank the government, all departments and police for their cooperation," he said.
Fans gathered on terraces of the buildings around Sree Kanteerava Studios in Bengaluru and climb trees around it to catch a glimpse of late Kannada actor Puneeth Rajkumar.
Puneeth’s brother Raghavendra said the family was waiting for Drithi to arrive and appealed to fans to remain calm.
As per news agency ANI, a fan of Puneeth Rajkumar, identified as Parashuram Devammanvar, died on Friday night. He belonged to a village in Chamarajanagar district, Karnataka. Puneeth had died earlier on the same day.
Puneeth Rajkumar's family doctor Ramana Rao has said that the late actor came to him saying he was feeling weak. While speaking to News 18, he said that he was health conscious and the reason for his cardiac arrest cannot be ascertained. "He did not have diabetes, abnormal blood pressure, irregular heartbeat. It is impossible to point to a reason for what happened to Appu," said Dr Rao.
Following the death of Kannada film actor Puneeth Rajkumar due to cardiac arrest, a fake message has started being circulated in the name of Dr Devi Shetty, the Chairman and Executive Director of Narayana Health. The message claims a few celebrities, including Puneeth, died because of doing “too much to be fit”. However, the doctor confirmed The Indian Express that it is a fake message and expressed his anguish at his name being used to misguide the public. Read more
Actor Yash mourned the sudden demise of Puneeth Rajkumar on Friday at the late actor's residence.
Jr NTR, who reached Bengaluru on Saturday, was spotted at the Kanteerava Stadium, where Puneeth Rajkumar's mortals have been kept. He was seen consoling Puneeth's elder brother Shiva Rajkumar.
Rana Dagubati reached Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru to pay his last respects to Puneeth Rajkumar. The actor was seen holding up his tears as he met the late actor's family.
Telugu superstar Nandamuri Balakrishna reached Bengaluru to pay his last respects to Puneeth Rajkumar.
Karnataka CM Basavaraj S Bommai has confirmed that Puneet Rajkumar’s funeral will take place on Sunday. "We have postponed the cremation to facilitate everyone to pay their respects. So don't rush and peacefully follow the instructions of the police force at the venue," he said.
"Till afternoon, the state government had plans to cremate Puneeth Rajkumar on Saturday evening but after looking at the public visiting Kanteerava stadium, after consulting police and civic officials, chief minister postponed the cremation to Sunday," said a police officer.
"We shouldn't conduct the last rites once its dark. We are waiting for his elder daughter to arrive around 8 or 9PM. Once she is here, she needs some time to grieve. Then, we will decide on further things. It will happen tomorrow for sure. For now we want to give every fan an opportunity to pay their last respects. You have all cooperated with us to conduct this smoothly and peacefully. And I request you to continue to give your cooperation to us," Puneeth’s brother Raghavendra Rajkumar told a news channel.
Puneeth's elder daughter Dhrithi has arrived in New Delhi from New York. She is expected to reach Bengaluru between 5-6 pm. Due to the swelling crowd and law and order issues that may arise from arranging the funeral late in the evening, the government seems to have decided to postpone his cremation to Sunday.
Filmmaker and choreographer Prabhudheva reached the Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru to pay his last respects to Puneeth Rajkumar. Talking to the media, the filmmaker said, "It is a very sad day. I have no words to explain this loss."
Sudeep penned an emotional note on Twitter for his late friend Puneeth Rajkumar. He shared the note with the caption, "GO IN PEACE,,
REST IN POWER MY FRIEND."
Senior Producer Rockline Venkatesh shared that Puneeth Rajkumar body will be taken from Kanteerava stadium by 3 pm and is expected to reach the studio by 5.30 pm and between 6-7 pm, his body will be cremated. His daughter is expected to reach Bengaluru by 4.15 pm and she will directly head towards Kanteerava studio.
Allu Arjun mourned the demise of his old friend Puneeth Rajkumar on Twitter.
Sharing how Puneeth’s sudden demise has left him shocked, Amitabh Bachchan wrote, “Puneet Rajkumar, the younger son of the legendary icon of Kanada cinema, Raj Kumar, and a star in his own right, passed away today .. he was just 46 years, and this has put all of us in great shock…” Read more
Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot and CM Basavaraj Bommai paid their last respects to Puneeth Rajkumar at Kanteerava Stadium.
Ram Gopal Varma shared on Twitter, "The death of @PuneethRajkumar still feels like a bad dream ..Can’t even imagine what his near and dear ones are going through."
"The passing of the Humble Powerstar of Karnataka #PuneethRajkumar comes as a huge shock and heartbreak to us all. We’ve lost yet another gem. My deepest condolences to his family, friends and countless fans," Shankar Shanmugham wrote on Twitter.
Jr NTR will fly to Bengaluru to pay his tribute to Puneeth Rajkumar.
Anil Kapoor rerembered Puneeth Rajkumar on Twitter. He wrote, "Shocking & extremely sad… #PuneethRajkumar. Sending my heartfelt condolences & prayers to the family…"
Former cricketer Virender Sehwag tweeted, "Saddened to hear about the passing away of #PuneethRajkumar. Warm, and humble, his passing away is a great blow to Indian cinema. May his soul attain sadgati. Om Shanti."
Parvathy tweeted a click with Puneeth Rajkumar.
After watching Puneeth Rajkumar's Appu, Superstar Rajinikanth had predicted that Puneeth would become a force to reckon with in the film industry.
“I watched the film with Appu (Puneeth). And I realised, he was still a lion cub but he was already roaring. And it got me excited to look forward to the things he was going to accomplish in future. He stunned everyone with the opening fight and song. He was not getting applause because he was Dr Rajkumar’s son. But, that applause was for his talent,” Rajinikanth had said. READ MORE HERE
Actor Sundeep Kishan shared in a tweet, "Feeling really shook up at the moment..Rest in Peace sir.. ?? #PuneetRajKumar
Actor-producer Darshan Thoogudeepa shared an emotional note on Puneet Rajkumar's death.
To say that Puneeth Rajkumar’s untimely death has caused shockwaves across Karnataka will perhaps be an understatement. The feeling is more visceral and personal for the people of the state who literally saw him grow up in front of their eyes, on that magical silver screen. Read Indianexpress.com's Manoj Kumar's special feature on Puneeth Rajkumar here.
Mahesh Babu paid his tribute to Puneeth Rajkumar.
Music composer D Imman tweeted, "A Humble Human being is no more with us..Life is so uncertain and unpredictable..Worked Natasaarvabhowma with him and shocked to hear his demise news.. Rest In Peace Puneeth Sir."
Superstar Ajith Kumar's manager tweeted a statement on his behalf.
"I know death is unpredictable but news about Puneeth Rajkumar is shocking. He was very close to me. I directed him in Appu. I love his family. Basically, he was a very good man. I am not able to digest the news. He was so young. Just a month ago, we spoke and made plans to meet for old times' sake. Puneeth 's death is a big loss to the Kannada film industry," says Puri Jagannadh