Kannada film superstar Vishnuvardhan was cremated with State honours at Abhiman Studio on the outskirts of the city on Wednesday evening. The Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa and some of his Cabinet colleagues, and leading film personalities -- including Ambareesh, Arjun Sarja, Shivram, and Avinash -- were among those present at the funeral.
The funeral pyre was lit by the actor's cousin, Ravi. Vishnuvardhan's wife, Bharathi, and other family members were also present at the funeral.
According to police, at least six vehicles -- including an outdoor broadcasting van of a private TV channel -- were set ablaze by angry fans who were denied entry to the cremation site.
More than four lakh fans from across Karnataka flocked into the city on Wednesday to mourn the demise of Kannada film superstar, Vishnuvardhan, according to police estimates. As per latest reports, the funeral of the actor was being held with State honours at Abhiman Studio on the outskirts of Bangalore.
Tension prevailed in parts of the city for the better part of the day after violence erupted in several areas of Southern Bangalore as fans of Kannada star Vishnuvardhan, who passed away in Mysore in the early hours of Wednesday, went berserk. More than 50 vehicles were damaged and scores of people including several police personnel were injured in the violence that also left many private properties damaged.
Many people including policemen were injured after the police resorted to lathicharge and burst tear gas shells to control the mob around the National College Grounds, Basavanagudi, where the body of Vishnuvardhan was kept.
Angry fans unable to get a glimpse of their star, resorted to stone pelting in which several houses and business establishments in the vicinity bore the brunt. The violent mob also damaged a portion of the retaining wall of the National College flyover while some others pelted stones and damaged vehicles on DVG Road and Gandhi Bazaar.
Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) Managing Director Zameer Pasha said that 35 to 40 buses were damaged across the city in incidents of violence. In the South Bangalore areas of Jayanagar, Basavanagudi, Uttarahalli and Kengeri, bus services were skeletal.
Meanwhile, Vishnuvardhan's wife Bharati has appealed to the star's fans not to resort to violence.
Incidentally, Vishnuvardhan, born in Mysore, 1950, breathed his last in the place of his birth.Thousands of fans and dignitaries of the Kannada film industry and political leaders such as Governor H.R. Bhardwaj, Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyruappa, former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, Suhasini, Leelavathi, Sumalatha, Ambareesh, Shivaraj Kumar, Raghavedra Rajkumar, Puneet Rajkumar and Doddanna are visiting the National College grounds, Bangalore, to pay their last respects to the actor.
Film city
Tourism Minsiter G. Janardhan Reddy assured the Legislative Council that a film city, on the lines of Ramoji Rao Film City, will be built in memory of the late stars Rajkumar and Vishnuvardhan, with private participation.
Chief Minister Yeddyurappa, among the first to visit the actor's house, announced a state funeral in honour of the departed superstar of Kannada films.
Vishnuvardhan is survived by his wife and one time leading actor, Bharathi, and two adopted daughters, Keerthi and Chandana. He complained of chest pain on Tuesday night. However, he passed away at around 2.30 a.m. on his way to Vikram Hospital in Mysore, where he was treated for his leg problem earlier.
Popularly known as Sahasa Simha (valour lion) in the Kannada film industry, he has acted in films in other languages including, Hindi, Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu.
Schools, colleges closed
The Government declared a holiday for all schools and colleges across the State as a mark of respect to the leading Kannada actor.
The Kannada film industry has received shocks one after the other at the end of 2009. On Tuesday, leading music composer and Sugama Sangeetha exponent, C. Ashwath, died and on Wednesday, Sahasa Simha Vishnuvardhan, a rallying point for the Kannada film industry, passed away.
Vishnuvardhan, has acted in more than 195 films. He was not only known as one of the greatest actors of Kannada film industry after thespian Rajkumar, but also as a simple and generous human being. Apta Ramshaka, to be released shortly, was his last film.
Though his first film was Vamshavriksha directed by Girish Karnad, he became famous from Nagarahavu directed by Puttanna Kanagal. In fact, Nagarahavu created history and announced the entry of a brilliant actor in the Kannada scene.
The actor's body was shifted immediately from Mysore to Bangalore.
Cinema houses will remain closed for the day in the State in respect of departed actor.
The Chief Minister also described Vishnuvardhan as a towering personality of the State's film industry. "Vishnuvardhan, is an abhinava bhargava (born actor), Karnataka has become poor in his death," he said, urging the actor’s fans to maintain calm and peace.
Keywords: Kannada actor, Vishnuvardhan, Yeddyruappa, Karnataka
Sri Vishnuvardan was a good friend of mine when I was at Bangalore. He sang for some of my shows too.Remember having sung a duet "Prema Priti nannusoru" in Ravindra Kalakshetra. We had loads of fun together. Sad that I could not keep in touch with him once I left Bangalore for Kolkata. I pray for his Peace. Subroto
@ siddharth
Do u feel like working the day someone passes away at your home...?
Vishnu was the darling of Karnataka from past 35 years. And had made a home in everybody's heart.
The govt did the right job of declaring a Public mourning by calling the day off. And it was very much necessary to control the emotions of the public.. And I don't see any political advantage there.
He was a role model to all the new entrants in the filmfield. Let the new tiny stars of the current generation to follow his foot steps to raise to the level of a REAL SUPERSTAR IN REAL AS WELL AS REEL LIFE just like our SAHASASIMHA. We salute to you. the king of stars. of course with tears... may your soul rest in peace.
purushotham.
There is a reason for declaring holiday, we must not take chance to count number of innocent people who could be affected as it was happened on demise of Dr. Rajkumar. It's doesn't matter for a single holiday and State funeral has been declared just to ensure that HE WAS A GREAT HERO IN HIS FIELD and GREAT HUMAN BEING, if the same thing is declared for useless Politicians death you people won't question about that. And finally please don't think all in Political Mileage.
RIP Dr. Vishnuvardhan
He is the only one whom I considered an Actor in Kanada film industry. He is no more now. Let his soul rest in peace. My deepest condolenses to his wife & family members.
He was a great actor and a great hero for the movie fans. But state funeral?! and public holiday are too much!!! There were many real life unsung heros who passed away quietly...
Vishnu vardhan was a great actor. That is a different. But declaring holiday is ridiculous.
It was a really shocking news to know that the legendary actor is no more. This comes as a great blow to the kannada film industry which was trying to come out of the mourning of Rajkumar's death.Both Raj and Vishnu were stalwarts of the industry and were like 2 pillars who represented the kannada industry both at the national and international level and its really shocking and sad that both of them are no more.It will take years for the kannada people to recover from this loss.Apart from being a versatile actor over decades, Vishnu was also a good human being who will be remembered for his humility and benevolence.May his soul rest in peace and may god give his wife the emotional ability to recover from his demise.
Without any doubt the Kannada film industry lost its one of the most revered and talented actors with the demise of Vishnuvardhan and the grief of his fans is also understood, but what is the logic behind the widespread violence?
I have heard that he was a good person, seen his acting skills, he was good at his job.
It is a great loss to Indian Film Industry in general and Kannada film industry in particular. He is good human being and very serious about his acting schedules. May his soul rest in peace.
RIP Mr. Vishnuvardhan.
He is a film star alright, could have been a good human being fine !
but why do they have to declare a public holiday ? whats the reason for a state funeral ?
Cant tamper with daily lives of people, to gain political mileage.
Just cant believe that Vishnu sir is no more. Such a wonderful actor. We all love you and we will miss you sir. May your soul rest in peace.
He was a great actor... may God give all the strengh to his family members and fans to bear the loss.... Miss u Simhadriya Simha.. :(
SAD YEAR END FOR KARNATAKA ESPECIALLY FOR KANNADA FILM INDUSTRY.
WE LOST GREAT SINGER Mr.C.ASWATH & GREAT ACTOR Mr.VISHNU VARDHAN.
He is a great actor and good human being.
Rest In Peace, Mr. Vishnuvardhan.
But, I can't totally agree the fact of declaring a holiday for schools and colleges. This is a bad precedent.
Yes our departed Lion is an selfstyled actor, his sudden demice has put every one of us in such a place where nothingness is only seen, just nothingness. We all should pray that Almighty to give strength to his family members to sustain this great loss to KARNATAKA and all his fans.
AB Janardhana Naidu
May the Almighty keep his soul rest in peace and may God give all the strengh to his family members to bear the loss. Tanuja, Mysore
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