The mortal remains of legendary Kannada actor and former central minister Ambareesh will be kept at the Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru for the public to pay their last respects on Sunday. His funeral will take place on Monday in Bengaluru.
Ambareesh, who passed away on Saturday night in Bengaluru at the age of 66 after suffering a cardiac arrest at Bengaluru’s Vikram Hospital, had complained of breathing difficulty. He was also suffering from a kidney ailment and a lung infection.
In a career spanning over 50 years, Ambareesh has acted in over 200 movies. His roles in several popular films earned him the title of ‘Rebel Star’. He debuted with the 1972 film Nagarahaavu, and won the national award in his first film itself.
He was also known by the name ‘Mandyada Gandu’ after portraying several roles as the ‘angry young man.’
He was born in Doddarasinakere near Maddur town in Mandya district on May 29, 1952, to parents Mysore Huche Gowda and Padmamma. He was largely influenced by his maternal grandfather, the ace musician T Choudayya, after whom the Choudayya memorial hall and Choudayya Road in Malleshwaram are named.
In politics, he began his career first with the Janata Dal and became an MP in the 12th Lok Sabha from Mandya itself and later joined the Congress party to represent the same seat on two more occasions. He was also the central Minister of State in the Manmohan Singh government but gave up his ministership in disappointment over the Cauvery Tribunal Award in 2006. He chose to skip the May 2018 Assembly elections in Karnataka citing health concerns.
Reacting on the news of his demise, Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy said, “Deeply shocked and saddened to hear about the untimely death of my beloved friend Ambareesh. In his death, an era of love and affection in the Kannada Film industry has ended. With Ambareesh I enjoyed a friendship that went beyond political affiliations and films.”
He added, “He was a rebel who was loved by all. He has carved a unique place in both politics and films. Ambarish leaves back a legacy that will be cherished by his family, friends, fans and followers.”
Speaking outside the hospital, CM Kumaraswamy told reporters that government will arrange special buses to ferry fans from Mandya to Bengaluru.
Political opponent and Union Minister Sadananda Gowda also mourned his death. He tweeted, “Yet another shocking news, Gentleman actor, Loved by all human, Former Union State Minister Sri Amabarish is no more. He had enlightened so many lives with his generosity.”