Puneeth Rajkumar last rites to be conducted on October 31 morning

As thousands of grieving fans continue to flock the Kanteerava stadium here on Saturday to pay their final respects to Kannada film star Puneeth Rajkumar, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said the last rites of the actor will be performed on October 31. The late actor's family and the government had earlier planned to perform the last rites this evening. Meanwhile, Dhruti Puneeth, the elder daughter who was studying abroad, returned to Bengaluru and bid a tearful goodbye to her father at the Kanteerava Stadium. A procession will take place from Sadashivanagar to the Kanteerava Studio in Bengaluru for fans to pay their respects

Speaking to reporters, Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai said that keeping all this in mind and after discussing with Puneeth's elder brothers Shivarajkumar, Raghavendra Rajkumar and other family members, it has been decided to conduct the last rites tomorrow. "So we have made an opportunity for more people to pay their last respects till tomorrow morning. I appeal to his (Puneeth's) fans to pay their last respects with patience and by maintaining peace, as there is time till tomorrow morning," he said. The funeral procession will lstart from the Back gate of Kanteerava Stadium and will continue on the following route -  Hudson Circle, Mysore Bank Circle, Maharani Flyover, Chalukya Circle, Windsor Manor Junction, Kauvery Junction, Bashyam Circle, Malleshwaram 18th cross, Maramma Circle, Yeshwanthpur Circle, Goragunte Palya Junction and finally culminate at Kanteerava Studio where he will be laid to rest.

Considered as the Kannada cinema's reigning star, Puneeth, youngest of the five children of thespian and matinee idol Dr Rajkumar, passed away at the age of 46, after suffering a cardiac arrest on Friday.

Requesting fans to cooperate with police as there is enough time, the CM said, "Police personnel are here for us and to see to it that things go on in a disciplined way, they too are our people and are fans (of Puneeth)."

"Everyone should cooperate in maintaining peace and order... timing of the last rites will be decided late night, depending on the situation and will be informed," he added.

Puneeth's elder brother and actor Raghavendra Rajkumar too thanking fans for cooperation so far, clarified that last rites will be during the first half tomorrow.

"As Appu's (as Puneeth is fondly called by fans) elder daughter was in New York for studies, there was some delay in her arrival. As the last rites cannot be performed after dark, we will decide on the timing of the last rites tomorrow, late in the night today, once she arrives. We are aware that you (fans) are also in pain," he said.

The state government has made arrangements for all Puneeth's fans to pay homage, he further said as he sought their cooperation until the last rites tomorrow.

Mortal remains of the actor, wrapped in the national tri-colour, have been kept at the Kanteerava stadium, to enable fans and well-wishers to pay tributes. A steady stream of people from across the state have been pouring into the arena since last evening.

Several film and political personalities have paid their respects to the departed soul.

Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot accompanied by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and other ministers of the state cabinet, Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah, former CM S M Krishna, pontiffs of various mutts paid their respects today. Leading South Indian film stars such as N Balakrishna, Chiranjeevi, Junior NTR, Venkatesh, Arjun Sarja and ace choreographer Prabhu Deva also paid their tributes to the Kannada actor.

"The feeling is like losing a son of our house," a tearful elderly woman fan said here.

"Our Appu might have physically gone, but he will remain with us through his acting and the impact he has left on us because of his good and friendly nature," said a young fan.

The government has announced that Puneeth's last rites will be conducted with state honours at Dr Rajkumar Punyabhoomi in Kanteerava Studio, next to his father and mother.

According to official sources, the mortal remains will be taken in a procession for about 13 km from Kanteerava stadium to Kanteerava studio.

The late actor is survived by wife Ashwini Revanth and daughters Drithi and Vanditha.

The CM's repeated appeal for peace comes in the backdrop of the large-scale violence that took place in the city, following the death of Puneeth's father Dr Rajkumar in 2006.

Inputs from agency