Kannada Actor Yuvaratna Puneeth Rajkumar Dies Of Heart Attack At 46

Talented Kannada actor Yuvaratna Puneeth Rajkumar breathed for the very last on Friday at the age of 46.

He had been admitted to a well-known private hospital in Bengaluru after suffering a massive heart attack. The 46-year-old was in a severe condition for a very long time, and due to that, he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Actor Sonu Sood broke trending news and confirmed the news of Puneeth Rajkumar’s demise on his social media account. He wrote on Twitter, “Heartbroken. I will forever miss you, my brother. #PuneethRajkumar”.

The Vikram Hospital shared a comment saying that Puneeth had not been responding when he was brought to the hospital. An official account said, “Puneet Rajkumar, who is 46 years old, was brought to the emergency department or ward, Vikram Hospital, with a history of chest pain at 11:40 am on the same day. He became non-responsive and was in Cardiac Asystole, and Advanced cardiac resuscitation has been initiated.”

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai appeared at the Vikram Hospital. Former Chief Ministers and several ministers are also going to the hospital to see their talented friend for the very last time.

Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah tweeted, “Shocked deeply by the demise of talented actor #PuneethRajkumar #PowerStar. There is no doubt that he won the hearts of millions of Kannadigas and still living in people’s hearts and mind through his excellent acting skills, humanity mature & simplicity. Puneeth passing away is a great not only loss for Karnataka, but whole India.”

Here, another tweet can be seen where Nirmala Sitharaman, Union minister, wrote, “Condolences on the passing away of #PuneethRajkumar. A bright star. He had a long promising career ahead. My condolences to his family, his innumerable followers, and fans.”

The Janata Dal national president and former prime minister HD Deve Gowda also condoled the untimely demise of the Kannada star. HD Deve Gowda said, “The news of the death of film actor Yuvaratna Puneet Rajkumar was shocking for everyone. I watched Appu starring Rajakumara and Prithviraj along with him. Today we lost a gem, Karnataka superstar Yuvaratna Puneet Rajkumar.”

A huge crowd of supporters and fans arrived to see their superstar last time and waited outside the Vikram Hospital.

Karnataka remains on high alert due to fans and their uncertain behavior to see their superstar; authorities took actions with the huge number of police and district authorities for heightening security across the whole state. Meanwhile, shops and offices have shut down in Bengaluru, and police battalions were brought in to manage swarming crowds of followers, anticipating violence after the famous actor’s death.

CM Bommai has canceled his trip to Chikamangalore today as the news of the death of Yuvaratna Puneeth Rajkumar broke. Son of matinee idol Rajkumar, Puneeth was fondly called ‘Appu’ by his supporters. He began his career as a child artist with the support of his father in the early 1980s. 

‘Hudugaru,’ ‘ Raam,’ and ‘Anjani Putra’ are some of his great and memorable movies, which are highly appreciated by not only the media but also fans. He was last seen in the movie as ‘Yuvarathnaa,’ which was released early this year, in 2021, and at that time, he was totally fit and fine. A successful and popular television presenter, Yuvaratna Puneeth Rajkumar, who began his career as a child artist, is also among the highest-paid actors in the Kannada film industry and their media.

He has been a lead actor in twenty-nine films; he appeared in numerous films as a child. His performances in Bettada Hoovu in 1985, Yarivanu in 1984, Eradu Nakshatragalu in 1983, Chalisuva Modagalu in 1982, Bhagyavantha in 1981, and Vasantha Geetha in 1980 were praised a lot.

He won the National Film Award for Best Child Artist for his role as Ramu in Bettada Hoovu. He also got the Karnataka State Award for Best Child Artist for Yeradu Nakshatragalu and Chalisuva Modagalu. Puneeth got his first leading role was in a 2002 movie named Appu, and later it became his nickname.

Fans and media have dubbed him as “Powerstar.” He has appeared as a lead actor in commercially successful films, including Anjani Putra and Raajakumara in 2017, Jackie in 2010, Raam in 2009, Vamshi in 2008, Milana in 2007, among many others. He got nominated for 35 awards and managed to win 24 of them.

 

Edited by Anupama Roy