Bengaluru: Chief Minister Basavaraj Bomnmai announced that Sandalwood star Puneeeth Rajkumar will be cremated with state honors on Saturday.

Speaking to reporters outside  Vikran hospital, Mr. Bommai said, mortal remains of Puneeth Rajkuimar will be shifted to Kateerava Indore stadium for public homage today and tomorrow. He called the fans of the departed actor to maintain peace and calm. 

Paid homage to a young and talented actor of the Kannada film industry, Mr. Bommai recalled his association with Rajkumar family.

"Puneeth has collapsed while doing a workout today morning, he consulted with a family doctor, the doctor referred him to Vikarm hospital. Doctors have made all efforts to retrieve him. but their efforts went fail. Punnet died in a very young age, he achieved a lot and give good films. Karnataka has lost the most talented actor and a big void has been created", Mr. Bommai said. 

"Through his humbleness, he was admired by all. He adopted the simplicity and humbleness of his father with him. I request people to maintain calm and peace. After discussing with his family members, the venue of his last rites will be decided", the CM said. 

"For the launch of his website, he has called me to inaugurate the same, I have given an appointment to him for the meeting. Today I have supposed to meet him, but fate has taken him the other way. I have a close association with Rajkumar family and seen Puneeth since his childhood days", Mr. Bommai recalled his association with Puneeth Rajkumar and his family. 

After consulting with family members, venue of last rites will be finalized. His mortal remains will kept in Kanteerava Indore stadium for public homage. Last rites will be performed tomorrow after discussing with his family members, Revenue minister R. Ashok said.

Raghavendra Rajkumar, elder brother of Puneeth Rajkumar pleaded "that the fans of Puneeth to maintain peace and requested that we should send Puneeth with great respect and honour. If any untoward incident will bring bad name to his departed soul", he requested the fans. 

"ವರನಟ ಡಾ.ರಾಜಕುಮಾರ್ ಸುಪುತ್ರ ಪುನೀತ್ ರಾಜಕುಮಾರ್ ಅಕಾಲಿಕ ನಿಧನ ಹೊಂದಿರುವುದು ಅತೀವ ಆಘಾತವನ್ನುಂಟು ಮಾಡಿದೆ. ಕಿರಿಯ ವಯಸ್ಸಿನಲ್ಲಿಯೇ ದೊಡ್ಡ ಸಾಧನೆ ಮಾಡಿದ ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರಪ್ರಶಸ್ತಿ ಪುರಸ್ಕೃತ ಜನಪ್ರಿಯ ಮೇರು ನಟ, ಯುವಜನತೆಯ ಕಣ್ಮಣಿ, ಯೂಥ್ ಐಕಾನ್ ಆಗಿದ್ದ ಪುನೀತ್ ನಿಧನ ಹೊಂದಿರುವುದು ಕಲಾರಂಗಕ್ಕೆ ಬಹಳ ದೊಡ್ಡ ನಷ್ಟ, ವಿಧಿಯ ಕ್ರೂರ ಆಟ”(1/3)

— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) October 29, 2021