Bangalore : Charming Actor’s Final Journey
BANGALORE, Dec 30 : Marking an end to a glorious era, acclaimed actor Vishnuvardhan, popularly known as ‘Sahasa Simha’, was laid to rest in Bangalore on Wednesday.
The last rites were performed at the Abhiman Studio in Uttarahalli at sunset with full state honours amidst a burgeoning crowd which had gathered to catch final glimpses of the veteran actor. His cook Sridhar gave fire to the funeral pyre.
The 59-year-old actor’s mortal remains were brought from Mysore to his residence in Jayanagar and subsequently shifted to the National High School Grounds in Basavangudi for the public to pay homage before being taken to Abhiman Studios.
Besides the superstar’s family members, including his wife Bharati Vishnuvardhan and two adopted daughters, CM Yeddyurappa, Ministers R Ashok, Katta Subramanya Naidu, MP Ananth Kumar, Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce president Jayamala and his close friend actor Ambareesh were present.
As emotional fans, unable to get the final glimpse of Vishnuvardhan, tried to break into the studio compound pushing and pulling at the policemen and the barricades, actor-turnedpolitician and a close friend of the late actor, Ambareesh was seen marshalling and pacifying the crowd.
Though the actor’s demise sent shock waves across the state in general and Bangalore in particular, the funeral procession went relatively smooth when compared to the violence witnessed during matinee idol Rajkumar’s funeral in 2006.
The police had adequately prepared themselves to deal with the situation even as the crowd lost its order repeatedly.
Emotions flared and the crowd went berserk and pelted stones and slippers in all directions.
In Mysore
The news of his death spread in Mysore city at around 5 am. Only a few reporters were seen in front of Vikram Hospital. By this time, the body of Vishnuvardhan was already being shifted to Bangalore.
Sources said that the hospital authorities withheld the news of Vishnuvardhan's death on request from Bharati, as she wanted to shift the body to Bangalore immediately.
After the news was aired on TV, many of his fans and admirers paid their tributes to their 'Sahasa Simha'.
Veteran actor K S Ashwath, who had acted with Vishnuvardhan in superhits movies 'Nagarahaavu,' and others, expressed shock and grief at Vishnuvardhan's death.
Most of the shops in the heart of the city were closed. Fans assembled at K R Circle to pay their tributes.
His posters were displayed at several places.
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