BENGALURU: Popular Kannada film actor Puneeth Rajkumar (46), who ruled the screen in the footsteps of his father, the legendary Rajkumar, died of a cardiac arrest on Friday. He was a fitness enthusiast and mascot for a healthy heart campaign.

Known for films like ‘Appu’, ‘Veera Kannadiga’ and ‘Maurya’, Puneeth Rajkumar, complained of chest pain during his morning workout. His wife Ashwini took him to their family doctor Ramana Rao’s hospital in Aramanenagar where an ECG revealed an acute heart attack. He was rushed to a hospital in Vasanthnagar, where doctors failed to revive him.

Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai, who cancelled his engagements and rushed to the hospital, said, “The state has lost an iconic actor, who had monumental achievements at a young age. He was the youth icon.” Ironically, Puneeth was brand ambassador for the ‘Prevent premature heart attack’ initiative of the state-run SJCSRI and even took part in the launch of ‘Heart Attack In Young Age Clinic’ at Jayadeva Hospital in September 2017.

Films apart, Puneeth had a huge following as a fitness enthusiast. Photos and videos of Puneeth at the gym or showcasing new workouts were widely shared and talked about, especially after the pandemic broke out. A video of his diving backflip went viral this February. Walkers in Sadashivnagar recall he was a regular jogger even when Covid peaked. His ‘Fight Corona Workout’ video went viral, garnering over 10 lakh views.

The actor’s eyes were harvested as per his pledge. The body was taken to his Sadashivanagar residence from where it was shifted to Kanteerava Stadium in the evening. Puneeth’s last rites will be performed with full state honours on Saturday evening or Sunday morning.