Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai pays his last respects to Puneeth Rajkumar.
Bengaluru: Kannada film actor Puneeth Rajkumar's family has decided to keep his mortal remains at the Kanteerava Stadium till Saturday evening for his fans to pay their last respects. In an official statement, the state announced that the last rites of the beloved actor will be done with state honours.
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has directed to initiate necessary steps to conduct final rites of the actor in the premises of Sri Kanteerava studio near the grave of Dr Rajkumar in Bengaluru, the order stated.
Thousands of people across the state are pouring in to pay their last respects to their favourite star.
Including Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, all bigwigs paid their last respects to Puneeth Rajkumar. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) National Executive Board meeting, being held in Dharwad, also offered condolences to the untimely death of the young actor. "RSS prays that let god give power to his family and fans to bear the pain," said RSS Regional Coordinator V. Nagaraj.
The actor's mortal remains will be put to rest beside the grave of his father, the legendary actor of Kannada cinema Dr Rajkumar in Bengaluru. The order was issued in this regard by senior IAS officer N. Manjunath Prasad, Principle Secretary to the Chief Minister on Friday.
Puneeth Rajkumar's mother Parvathamma is also laid to rest in the same premises. The decision has been taken as per the wishes of his family. Civic agency of Bengaluru and the Police department have been asked to make necessary arrangements.
The actor's last rites will be held after the return of his elder daughter Vanditha from the US, according to news agency IANS.
Puneeth Rajkumar died of a heart attack on Friday, October 26. The actor, popularly known as 'powerstar' of the Kannada film industry, took his last breath at the age of 46. He was admitted to the Vikram Hospital in Bengaluru after he complained of chest pain at around 11:30 am on Friday. In an official statement, the doctors mentioned that they tried to do their best to improve his condition but couldn't resurrect him.