- Sudden demise due to heart attack
- Karnataka in shock after hearing sad news
- Sandalwood hero dies at age of 46
- Suffered cardiac arrest at gym on Friday morning 9 .45
Bangalore: Kannada Power star Puneeth Rajkumar is no more. Youngest son (3rd) of late legendary actor Rajkumar and Parvathamma, fondly called as APPU by his fans, had his last breath at 11.30 am on Friday. He was just 46 and last seen in the film Yuvaratna, which was released in many languages and tasted hit.
“Mr. Puneeth Rajkumar aged 46 years was brought to the emergency department of Vikram Hospital with a history of chest pain at 11:40 am, he was non-responsive and was in Cardiac Asystole and advanced cardiac resuscitation has been initiated,” read a statement from the Vikram hospital.
The news of actor’s demise has sent shockwaves in the Sandalwood industry.
Puneeth, who is said to be perfectly fit without any health issues, complained of chest pain on Thursday night. When advised to go for hospital, actor took it easy as he thought it was a minor isse related to gas. But on Friday morning at 9.30 am, actor collapsed in gym with chest pain. He was rushed to Ramanasree hospital nearby and later shifted to vikram Hospital, but as per doctors, he was non-responsive by the time he was brought in.
Puneeth starred in over 29 Kannada films. He had appeared as a lead actor in a number of commercially successful films including Appu (2002), Abhi (2003), Veera Kannadiga (2004), Mourya (2004), Aakash (2005), Ajay (2006), Arasu (2007), Milana (2007), Vamshi (2008), Raam (2009), Jackie (2010), Hudugaru (2011), Raajakumara (2017), and Anjani Putra (2017).
Puneeth began his career as a child artist and even won the National Film Award for Best Child Artist for his performance in Bettada Hoovu in 1985. He won the Karnataka State Award for Best Child Artist for his performances in Chalisuva Modagalu and Yeradu Nakshatragalu.
Last Tweet wishing his brother
Earlier in the day, the actor wished his brother Shiva Rajkumar and the entire team of the newly released film Bhajarangi 2.
“Best wishes for the entire team of #Bhajarangi2. @NimmaShivanna @NimmaAHarsha @JayannaFilms,” he had tweeted. No one thought that it will be his last tweet.
Condolences have been pouring in on Social media from former Cricket Stars Virendra Sehwag, Venkatesh Prasad and film celebrities Chirinajeevi, Manchu Lakshmi
Karnataka on high alert
Security arrangements were on high alert across state, schools, colleges closed, theatres shut after coming to know about the sad news.
Puneeth Rajkumar colloquially known as Appu, was an Indian actor, playback singer, television presenter, and producer who worked primarily in Kannada cinema. In 2012, Puneeth hosted the first season of Kannadada Kotyadhipati, modelled on the Hindi show Kaun Banega Crorepati, Puneeth married Ashwini Revanth from Chikkamagaluru on 1 December 1999. They met through a common friend, and have two daughters: Drithi and Vanditha.
