Puneeth Rajkumar, 46-year-old Kannada actor who died of a cardiac arrest on 29 October, was laid to rest at Kanteerava Studios, Bengaluru. Rajkumar is survived by his wife Ashwini and two daughters – Drithi and Vanditha.
The mortal remains were laid to rest with state honours. Chief Minister of Karnataka Basavaraj Bommai offered the final adieu. The last rites of Puneeth were performed by his family members.
Speaking to media after the final rites of the actor, CM Bommai said, “It’s a personal loss to me. We have lost a very great talent: Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai, in Bengaluru. It was a personal bonding with the entire family and more so with ‘Appu’. I had seen him as a boy. We had relations since those days. Therefore I am giving him a final salute. Certainly, I was emotional.”
The late actor’s family and the government had earlier planned to perform the last rites on Saturday evening, once his daughter, who was in the US, reached Bengaluru.
CM Bommai had said, “Puneeth’s daughter has reached Delhi and is travelling to Bengaluru and may reach the city by about 6 pm. Secondly, there is lot of crowd here (Kanteerava Stadium) and many people wish to see him for one last time, also after 6pm when it will be dark it will be difficult to perform last rites there (Kanteerava studio).”
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10 lakh people paid last respect to Puneeth Rajkumar
Puneeth Rajkumar’s mortal remains were kept at the Kanteerava Stadium for public homage. According to reports, over 10 lakh people paid their last respects to him in the last two days. Two of his fans died of a heart attack after hearing the news of his demise.
Puneeth Rajkumar was a youth icon in the Kannada film industry. He was the fifth and the youngest son of Dr Rajkumar and his wife Parvathamma. The actor was last seen in the Kannada film, Yuvarathnaa.
Megastar Amitabh Bachchan paid a tribute to Kannada star, saying that his sudden death following a heart attack was shocking.
Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan shared a moving statement in the loving memory of the late star. “Appu entertained us through his films, but above all else, he won us all with his warmth, sincerity, and passion. Thank you Puneeth, for all the love that you showered on all of us. May your soul rest in peace, dear friend. My heartfelt condolences and prayers to the family,” the statement read.
(With inputs from ANI)
