Puneeth Rajkumar Death LIVE Updates: Balakrishna, Jr NTR Inconsolable; Actor's Daughter Back from US to Bid Final Goodbye; Last Rites on Sunday

Bollywood actor Aamir Khan took to Instagram to pen a tribute to late Puneeth Rajkumar. He wrote, “Appu entertained us through his films, but above all else, he won us all with his warmth, sincerity and passion. Thank you Puneeth, for all the love that you showered on all of us. May your soul rest in peace, dear friend. My heartfelt condolences and prayers to the family.”

Late actor Puneeth Rajkumar’s daughter Vanditha Rajkumar has reached Kantheerava Stadium. Vanditha, who was studying in the US reached Bengaluru in the evening on Saturday. The actor’s last rites were scheduled to happen after Vanditha had arrived. However, the family decided to postpone it to Sunday. Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai said that “performing last rites after 6 PM in that small space is going to be challenging.”

South stars Chiranjeevi and Venkatesh Daggubati paid respect to Puneeth Rajkumar at Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru.

Tamil superstar Suriya Sivakumar took to Twitter to pay a heartfelt tribute to Kannada actor Puneeth Rajkumar. The actor said that he was “devastated” by the untimely death of Rajkumar. “Unable to come to terms with this loss! Farewell, dear Puneet Rajkumar, my brother and fellow traveller… I will always cherish your fond friendship and brotherhood. My deepest condolence to family & friends. I’m just devastated and still in shock,” Suriya Sivakumar tweeted.

Kannada film star Puneeth Rajkumar’s daughter, Vanditha Rajkumar, has reached Bengaluru airport. Vanditha stays in the USA, where she is currently studying. The actor’s funeral was earlier scheduled to take place today evening at Bengaluru’s Kanteerava Studios. However, Karnataka CM said that “performing last rites after 6 PM in that small space is going to be challenging.” He added, “Considering all factors and discussing with his brothers Raghavendra Rajkumar and Shivrajkumar, we have decided that the last rites will be performed tomorrow (Sunday).”

Celebrated Kannada film star Puneeth Rajkumar will be laid to rest with full state honours on Sunday in presence of family members and close friends.

KGF director Prashanth Neel arrived at Bengaluru’s Kanteerava Stadium to pay his last respects to celebrated Kannada star Puneeth Rajkumar.

“Gone too soon,” says musical maestro AR Rahman as he shares a video snippet featuring Kannada film star Puneeth Rajkumar on Twitter.

Puneeth Rajkumar’s family doctor Ramana Rao says the Kannada star’s sudden death due to cardiac arrest has got nothing to do with his lifestyle. Speaking to News18 Kannada, Rao said Puneeth had come to his clinic with his wife Ashwini after he felt some uneasiness. “His blood pressure was normal, heartbeat was steady and lungs were clear but he was sweating which he said was normal after a workout. I anyway decided to do an ECG. I noticed a strain in the ECG that I conveyed to Ashwini and asked her to take him to Vikram hospital,” the doctor said. The actor was taken to the hospital in 5 to 6 minutes but could not be saved.

Read the full interview, here.

Calling the passing of Kannada film star Puneeth Rajkumar “an irreplaceable void”, actor Kiccha Sudeep shares an emotional note on social media.

Prabhu Deva, who paid his last respects to late actor Puneeth Rajkumar at Bengaluru’s Kanteerava Stadium, spoke to local media on Saturday morning. The actor looked visibly emotional as he said, “It is a very sad day. I have no words to explain this loss.”

Puneeth Rajkumar’s body is presently in state at Bengaluru’s Kanteerava Stadium, so grieving friends and fans can pay their respects. The city police have made special parking arrangements in anticipation of possible jams, with space available at the St Joseph’s ground on Vittal Mallya Road and the YMCA ground on Nrupatunga Road.

Kannada film star Puneeth Rajkumar’s nutrition coach Ryan Fernando shared a note on the late actor’s fitness commitment. “His exercise routines were a big hit among the youth, and he always had a positive impact on them to follow a healthy lifestyle,” said Fernando in an Instagram post after the demise of Puneeth Rajkumar at the age of 46 following a cardiac arrest.

Due to the expanding crowd at Kanteerava stadium, Karnataka chief minister Basavaraj Bommai has said that it doesn’t seem wise to perform the final rites of late actor Puneeth Rajkumar this evening (on Saturday). He also comforted the fans by saying that they have the entire day to visit the mortal remains of Puneeth Rajkumar at the stadium as his funeral will now take place on Sunday.

Karnataka Governor Thawarchand Gehlot and Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai this morning paid their final tributes to Kannada film star Puneeth Rajkumar, who died on Friday of a cardiac arrest. Rajkumar is to be cremated with full state honours at the Kanteerava Studio on Sunday.

Telugu superstar Jr NTR arrived at Bengaluru’s Kanteerava Stadium to pay his last respects to Kannada film actor Puneeth Rajkumar. The actor got emotional while comforting Puneeth’s younger brother.

Puneeth Rajkumar’s family has confirmed that the actor’s last rites will be performed tomorrow. The exact timing will be confirmed after Puneeth’s daughter lands in Bengaluru.

Telugu star Balakrishna broke down in tears as he arrived at Bengaluru’s Kanteerava Stadium to pay his last respects to Puneeth Rajkumar. Heartbreaking photos of an emotional Balankrishna have surfaced on social media.

South superstars Chiranjeevi and Jr NTR are expected to arrive in Bengaluru to pay last respects to Kannada film star Puneeth Rajkumar, who passed away on Friday noon after suffering cardiac arrest.

Telugu superstar Balakrishna reaches Kantheerava Stadium to pay his last respects to Kannada actor Puneeth Rajkumar. Balakrishna pays tributes to the late actor by laying a floral wreath on a coffin containing the mortal remains of Puneeth.