Bengaluru, Oct 29 : Kannada filmstar Puneeth Rajkumar “Appu” passed away Today  after suffering a massive heart attack here.

“The state has lost a very big actor in Puneeth Rajkumar,” Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai announced to the reporters after emerging out of the hospital.

Giving the account of the incident, Bommai said, “After his routine gym schedule, Puneeth Rajkumar complained of tiredness. He was then taken to his family doctor. He in turn referred the matter to Vikram Hospital by saying that the actor’s heart condition is very critical. After taking him to the hospital, the efforts of the doctors to revive him did not succeed, and he was declared dead.”

The 46-year-old actor was rushed to the hospital at 11.30 am and immediately shifted to the Intensive Care Unit.

“Puneeth was rushed to our hospital in a very serious condition. He had suffered a massive heart attack. All our efforts to revive him did not succeed. This should not have happened to him…,” he said.

The state government has taken all steps to arrange for the ‘public darshan’ and last rites of the departed actor.

The body of Puneeth, Karnataka Revenue Minister R Ashoka said, will be kept in state at Kanteerava Stadium in the evening till the next day for the people to pay their last respects.

The family members will decide the place and timings of Puneeth’s last rites later, he said.

Bommai urged people not to get emotional and pay their last respect to Puneeth, without indulging in any untoward incidents.

Incidentally Puneeth, the chief minister said, was scheduled to meet him on Friday with regards to the inauguration of his website, but fate took him to the other world.

“This is a great loss to the Kannada film industry. And, Puneeth was not only a big actor, but led his life in the footsteps his late father, legendary actor Dr Rajkumar. Few months ago, I had met him in an event and had a long chat. My relationship with Rajkumar’s family goes back a long way,” Bommai said.

KPCC President and Congress leader DK Shivakumar, who also rushed to the hospital after the actor was admitted, condoled Puneeth’s death saying “he was deeply shocked and prayed for his soul to rest in peace”.

Soon after the news of the actor suffering massive heart attack was flashed, people in large numbers gathered outside the Vikram Hospital. Some of them were seen wailing and others demanding the hospital authorities to provide information on the condition of the actor.

They stood witness to the hordes of celebrities and filmstars, inlcuding actor Yash flocking to the hospital.

At the same time, many Hindi and South Indian actors took to Twitter and paid their condolences to Puneeth. Southern superstar Mahesh Babu tweeted he was “deeply saddened” by the news of Puneeth’s demise.

“Shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic news of Puneeth Rajkumar’s demise. One of the most humble people I’ve met and interacted with. Heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones,” he tweeted.

Bollywood film producer Boney Kapoor tweeted: “Deeply shocked to know of the sudden demise of @PuneethRajkumar. A powerful actor who won the hearts of people with his incredible body of work. Condolences to the family #RIP #Gonetoosoon #PuneethRajkumar.”

Actor Sonu Sood also tweeted, “Heartbroken Will always miss you my brother. #PuneethRajkumar”.

Known to his fans as Appu, Puneeth was the youngest son of Kannada matinee idol Dr Rajkumar and film producer Parvathamma Rajkumar.

Puneeth was the lead actor in more than 29 Kannada films, including “Appu”, “Abhi”, “Veera Kannadiga”, “Mourya”, “Aakash”, “Ajay”, and “Arasu”.

The actor began his career as a child artist and had won the National Film Award for Best Child Artist for his performance in “Bettada Hoovu” in 1985.

He won the Karnataka State Award for Best Child Artist for his performances in “Chalisuva Modagalu” and “Yeradu Nakshatragalu”.(UNI)