Puneeth Rajkumar death: Narendra Modi leads tributes to Indian actor


Katy Gillett
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Award-winning south Indian actor Puneeth Rajkumar has died at the age of 46.

The beloved star, who has almost 50 film credits to his name, died of a heart attack in Bengaluru on Friday, his manager confirmed.

He was reportedly taken to the doctor after complaining of intense fatigue after a gym session and was then rushed to the hospital, where he died.

His body is being placed at Sree Kanteerava Stadium, where long queues of fans have formed to pay their respects to the Kannada actor.

There has been an outpouring of grief, and offices and shops across Bengaluru reportedly closed on Friday, and police brought in, as there were fears of violence following the actor's sudden death.

The actor's older brother, Raghavendra Rajkumar, urged everyone to remain peaceful, and said his family were "in a state of shock".

Last rites are being performed on Saturday upon the return of Rajkumar's daughter, Vanditha, from the US, according to The Times of India.

Rajkumar, perhaps best known for his award-winning work in Raajakumara and Rana Vikrama, has 48 film credits on IMDb, and played the lead in 29. He appeared in a number of titles when he was a child, earning himself a National Film Award for Best Child Artist early in his career.

Well known for his dancing skills and as a playback singer, Rajkumar appeared in his first film, Bettada Hoovu, with his father, when he was aged 10.

'A cruel twist of fate'

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi led tributes to the star on social media. "A cruel twist of fate has snatched away from us a prolific and talented actor," the politician wrote on Twitter.

"This was no age to go. The coming generations will remember him fondly for his works and wonderful personality. Condolences to his family and admirers."

Indian actress Parvathy Thiruvothu wrote: "It aches beyond words could ever express," next to a broken heart emoji and a photo of her with Rajkumar.

Telugu actor Mahesh Babu said he was "shocked and deeply saddened" by the news. "One of the most humble people I've met and interacted with. Heartfelt condolences to his family and loves ones."

Pawan Kalyan, the actor, director, screenwriter, stunt coordinator, philanthropist and politician, also posted his condolences. "The sudden & unfortunate demise of ‘Sri Puneeth Rajkumar deeply saddens me," he wrote on Twitter. "His performance in his first film Bettada Hoovu as a child actor deeply etched in my mind. Ever since I always admired him."

Actor Dulquer Salmaan wrote: "One of the kindest and warmest actors / gentlemen. Praying to the almighty to give Puneeth sir's family, friends and his ocean of fans the strength to cope with this irreplaceable loss."

Former cricketer Venkatesh Prasad also shared a photo of Rajkumar, with this note: "Extremely sad to know of the passing away of our dear #PuneethRajkumar. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and fans. I request his fans to maintain calm and pray for his Sadgati in this excruciating time for the family."

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1. Kylian Mbappe - to Real Madrid in 2017/18 - €180 million (Dh770.4m - if a deal goes through)
2. Paul Pogba - to Manchester United in 2016/17 - €105m
3. Gareth Bale - to Real Madrid in 2013/14 - €101m
4. Cristiano Ronaldo - to Real Madrid in 2009/10 - €94m
5. Gonzalo Higuain - to Juventus in 2016/17 - €90m
6. Neymar - to Barcelona in 2013/14 - €88.2m
7. Romelu Lukaku - to Manchester United in 2017/18 - €84.7m
8. Luis Suarez - to Barcelona in 2014/15 - €81.72m
9. Angel di Maria - to Manchester United in 2014/15 - €75m
10. James Rodriguez - to Real Madrid in 2014/15 - €75m

Tearful appearance

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday. 

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow. 

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.

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The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

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Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

 

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"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008

His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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1987

1954

1921

1888

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Thursday Beat Sydney 2-0 in Sydney

Saturday v Western Sydney Wanderers in Sydney

Wednesday v Bayern Munich in Shanghai

July 22 v Chelsea in Beijing

July 29 v Benfica in London

July 30 v Sevilla in London

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Age 32

Country United Kingdom

Grands Prix entered 198

Pole positions 67

Wins 57

Podiums 110

Points 2,423

World Championships 3

Huroob Ezterari

Director: Ahmed Moussa

Starring: Ahmed El Sakka, Amir Karara, Ghada Adel and Moustafa Mohammed

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Venue Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23

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Transmission Six-speed automatic

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  • Friday, Sep 8 - Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Bahrain
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
About Seez

Company name/date started: Seez, set up in September 2015 and the app was released in August 2017  

Founder/CEO name(s): Tarek Kabrit, co-founder and chief executive, and Andrew Kabrit, co-founder and chief operating officer

Based in: Dubai, with operations also in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon 

Sector:  Search engine for car buying, selling and leasing

Size: (employees/revenue): 11; undisclosed

Stage of funding: $1.8 million in seed funding; followed by another $1.5m bridge round - in the process of closing Series A 

Investors: Wamda Capital, B&Y and Phoenician Funds 

Updated: October 30, 2021, 6:34 AM`