Renowned
Sandalwood
actor
Puneeth
Rajkumar
died
at
the
age
of
46
on
Friday
(October
29)
following
a
massive
cardiac
arrest.
Several
celebrities
are
paying
their
tribute
to
him
on
social
media.
The
passing
away
of
the
Power
Star
has
also
left
his
fans
saddened.
Puneeth
will
be
put
to
rest
near
his
father
Dr
Rajkumar's
grave.
His
last
rites
will
be
on
Saturday
evening
after
his
daughter
Vanditha
returns
from
the
US.
The
mortal
remains
of
the
actor
will
be
kept
for
public
view
at
Bengaluru's
Kanteerava
Stadium.
Many
fans
and
followers
have
blocked
the
roads
and
stadium
to
catch
one
last
glimpse
of
their
beloved
idol
and
to
pay
their
last
respects.
Karnataka
Chief
Minister
Basavaraj
Bommai
and
governor
Thaawar
Chand
Gehlot
paid
their
last
respects
to
the
iconic
actor
today
(October
30).
Security
has
been
beefed
up
across
the
state.
Police
battalions
have
been
deployed
and
the
government
has
ordered
to
close
theatres
immediately.
Though
there
were
reports
about
Karnataka
being
put
on
a
high
alert,
the
Bengaluru
City
Police
tweeted
that
the
situation
is
under
control
in
the
city.
The
tweet
read,
"Dear
Bengalureans.
Please
don't'
believe
in
any
rumours
or
engage
in
any
kind
of
rumour-mongering.
Everything
is
under
control
in
the
city.
Bengaluru
City
Police
assures
peace
and
law
&
order
in
our
city."
On
the
other
hand,
Karnataka
Chief
Minister
Basavaraj
Bommai
during
his
media
interaction
said
that
the
people
can
pay
their
respects
tomorrow
(October
30)
and
the
last
rites
will
be
performed
as
per
the
family's
wishes.
He
also
stated
that
Puneeth
will
be
laid
to
rest
with
state
honours.
Born
as
Lohith
Kumar
on
March
17,
1975,
the
actor
started
his
career
with
the
1976
film
Premada
Kanike.
He
made
his
acting
debut
as
the
main
lead
with
the
2002
film
Appu,
which
later
became
his
pet
name
among
fans
and
followers.
The
actor
won
the
National
Film
Award
for
Best
Child
Artist
for
his
role
in
Bettada
Hoovu
(1985).
He
was
also
a
prolific
dancer,
singer,
television
presenter
and
producer.
Puneeth
Rajkumar
is
survived
by
his
wife
Ashwini
and
daughters
Vandhitha
and
Drithi.