Actor Puneeth Rajkumar paid last respects in Karnataka

Bengaluru: Actor Puneeth Rajkumar was buried in Bengaluru this morning in the presence of Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and several top actors from the Kannada film industry. Mr Bommai - who earlier oversaw state honour accorded to the actor - gave a "final salute" ahead of the funeral at Sree Kanteerava Studios in the state capital Bengaluru

The final rites were conducted as per the traditions of the Ediga community of the Hindu religion in the presence of his family members, friends and ruling and opposition leaders of all political parties in Bengaluru.

His mortal remains were brought in a procession from Kanteerava Stadium, which began around 5 a.m. and reached Kanteerava studio. Fans gathered on ether sides of roads on the way bid him tearful adieu. As many as 10 lakh people paid their last homage to young superstar.

Puneeth, son of Kannada film legend Dr Rajkumar, passed away on Friday (October 29) due to cardiac arrest.

Before the burial, the government of Karnataka accorded him honours according to protocol. Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai handed over the Tricolour flag, which draped the mortal remains of the actor to his wife Ashwini and two daughters.

Opposition leaders D.K. Shivakumar, Siddaramaiah and all cabinet ministers, all bigwigs of the Kannada film industry attended the function held early in the morning on Sunday.

Family members performed worship of Puneeth's mortal remains, which was placed in the decorated palanquin before the burial.

Public 'darshan' was allowed throughout the night for the fans to facilitate the final viewing as huge crowds continued to turn out since Friday late in the noon.

Bigwigs of Telugu film industry, Chiranjeevi, Nandamuri Balakrishna, Junior NTR, Venkatesh, Srikanth came down to Bengaluru to pay their last homage to Puneeth Rajkumar.

Prabhudeva and Sharath Kumar from the Tamil film industry came to pay their last respects. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tweeted their condolence messages over the untimely death of Puneeth. Prime Minister Modi had put up a picture of Puneeth's family with him in his message.

Puneeth's mortal remains were laid to rest beside the graves of his father, legendary actor of Kannada cinema Dr Rajkumar and mother Parvathamma. The decision was taken as per the wishes of his family.

Puneeth had pledged his eyes for donation. Dr Bhujanga Shetty, Director Narayana Nethralaya, who collected the eyes of Puneeth remembered the commitment of the family as he promptly received a call from Puneet's elder brother Raghavendra Rajkumar to collect eyes for donation.

Puneeth Rajkumar had donated Rs 50 lakh to government of Karnataka during the Covid crisis. Puneeth was supporting 16 old age homes and 19 goshalas. Thousands of girl students were supported through 'Shakthidhama' organisation. But, never ever Puneeth spoke about his philanthropic activities.

Puneeth was one of the earliest persons to get the Covid jab, when vaccination hesitancy was still there among people.