'Cruel Twist of Fate': PM Modi, Others Mourn Demise of Actor Puneeth Rajkumar

A number of political leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Nirmala Sitharaman, have condoled Rajkumar's death.

As legendary actor Puneeth Rajkumar passed away after suffering a heart attack in Bengaluru on Friday, 29 October, a number of political leaders mourned the loss of the Kannada artist.

"A cruel twist of fate has snatched away from us a prolific and talented actor, Puneeth Rajkumar. 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. Om Shanti," Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted.

A cruel twist of fate has snatched away from us a prolific and talented actor, Puneeth Rajkumar. 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. Om Shanti. pic.twitter.com/ofcNpnMmW3

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 29, 2021

A number of other political leaders, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman have also condoled Rajkumar's demise.

My heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and fans of Kannada actor Puneeth Rajkumar.

Gone too soon.

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 29, 2021

Deeply saddened by the passing away of a wonderful human being, I have had the privilege of knowing, Shri. Puneeth Rajkumar.

Fondly called as Appu by all of us, he was a passionate, humble & a warm human being - he has left us too soon!

Om Shanti 🙏 pic.twitter.com/RlRgBhUrAX

— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) October 29, 2021

I had close cordial relationship with Dr Rajkumar & his family. Passing away of Puneeth is a personal loss for me.

My deepest condolences to his family members & fans. May his soul rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/iItzOXr8eH

— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) October 29, 2021

Anguished by the untimely demise of noted Kannada actor Puneeth Rajkumar. After starting his career as a child artiste, he made a mark as a phenomenal actor, playback singer, TV presenter and producer. Indeed, he was a man of many talents. #PuneethRajkumar pic.twitter.com/VXVI55JzRR

— Vice President of India (@VPSecretariat) October 29, 2021

I express my condolences on the passing away of Sh Puneeth Rajkumar. He was much loved by his fans and followers, a talented young star, gone too soon. pic.twitter.com/LONoFMLyWr

— Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) October 29, 2021

He remained a humble human-being despite his stardom. Puneeth's kind act of visiting our Gopalapuram residence to offer his family's condolences for Thalaivar Kalaignar's death still lingers in my heart.

— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) October 29, 2021

Shocked and deeply saddened as Karnataka's most loved superstar #PuneetRajkumar is no longer with us.
A huge personal loss and one that's difficult to come to terms with.
Praying the almighty gives the Rajkumar family and fans the strength to bear this loss.#OmShanti pic.twitter.com/QpF63vKvIO

— Basavaraj S Bommai (@BSBommai) October 29, 2021

Condolences on the passing away of #PuneethRajkumar. A bright star. He had a long promising career ahead.
My condolences to his family, his innumerable fans and followers. pic.twitter.com/8Gv4G4vrnz

— Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) October 29, 2021

The sudden demise of Kannada film superstar Puneeth Rajkumar is an incomparable loss to the Kannada film industry. My deepest condolences to his family and his fans. pic.twitter.com/7NTM6zjs5o

— Kanimozhi (கனிமொழி) (@KanimozhiDMK) October 29, 2021

ಕನ್ನಡದ ಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠ ನಟ ಶ್ರೀ ಪುನೀತ್ ರಾಜಕುಮಾರ್ ಇನ್ನಿಲ್ಲ ಎಂಬ ಸಂಗತಿಯನ್ನು ಅರಗಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳಲಾಗುತ್ತಿಲ್ಲ. ಬಾಲನಟನಾಗಿ ಮನಸೂರೆಗೊಂಡು ನಂತರದ ದಿನಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ನಾಯಕನಟನಾಗಿ ಮನೆಮಾತಾಗಿದ್ದ ಅವರು ಉತ್ತಮ ಗಾಯಕರೂ ಆಗಿದ್ದರು. ಅವರ ಕುಟುಂಬ ವರ್ಗಕ್ಕೆ ಮತ್ತು ಅಭಿಮಾನಿಗಳಿಗೆ ಸಾಂತ್ವನ ಕೋರುತ್ತೇನೆ. ಪವರ್ ಸ್ಟಾರ್ ಚಿತ್ರಪ್ರೇಮಿಗಳ ಹೃದಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಅಜರಾಮರ. pic.twitter.com/arRcKzciNn

— DK Shivakumar (@DKShivakumar) October 29, 2021

Kannada actor Puneeth Rajkumar had been admitted to a Bengaluru hospital at around 11:30 am on Friday, after he reportedly suffered a heart attack.

He had received treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Vikram Hospital in Bengaluru. Dr Ranganath Nayak had said that the actor’s condition was bad when he was brought in.

Several fans had wished Rajkumar a speedy recovery on social media and many had also gathered outside the hospital after the news of his hospitalisation.

The artist was set to star in the psychological thriller Dvita, directed by Pawan Kumar.

The late actor has starred in films like Appu, Mourya, Hudugaru, and Anjani Putra.