Kannada cinema’s reigning star and celebrity television host Puneeth Rajkumar, known for films such as “Appu”, “Veera Kannadiga” and “Maurya”, died here on Friday following a massive heart attack, hospital said. He was 46.
Puneeth, who was known to be a fitness enthusiast, was rushed to Vikram Hospital after he complained of chest pain following a two-hour workout in the gym, doctors treating him said. He died shortly after. He is survived by his wife Ashwini Revanth and two daughters Dhriti and Vanditha.
Restless crowds of stunned fans milled around the hospital complex as news came in of the sudden death of the actor, the son of much loved matinee idol Rajkumar who fast outgrew his father’s shadow to carve a place all his own in the Kannada showbiz industry.
Puneeth’s body will be kept at the Kanteerava Stadium to enable the public to pay their last respects, state minister R Ashoka told reporters.
He said Puneeth’s last rites will be performed with full state honours and the family will decide when it will happen. (PTI)
