Reputed senior journalist and former Bigg Boss Kannada season 7 contestant Ravi Belagere passed away in the early hours of Friday due to a heart attack. He was 62. Known also as the Editor-in-Chief of Hai Bangalore, he was rushed from his office to the hospital where he breathed his last and was later declared dead. The former Bigg Boss Kannada contestant's remains will be placed at Prarthana School In Bengaluru for final respects before the last rites are performed. He is survived by his two wives, two sons and two daughters. The news Belagere's death has come as a major shock for many across Karnataka as he is known for redefining Kannada tabloid journalism, with many popular Kannada celebrities offering their condolences. 

Kannada superstar Kichcha Sudeep, who is the host of Bigg Boss Kannada, paid his tribute to Ravi Belagere on Twitter along with a couple of pictures of the esteemed journalist. He wrote, "This pic on stage where i saw him last wil b treasured. The other,I'm sure is a moment, that the rest of the contestants will cherish. You wil be missed sir. Deepest Condolences to his family. Prayers for his soul to rest in peace." Post his entry into Bigg Boss Kannada 7, Belagere's popularity around Karnataka shot up and has since remained at the top of the limelight. 

Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa too reminisced Ravi Belagere's works as a journalist and writer and tweeted, "I pray to the almighty to give courage to his family and fans to bear the loss." Belagere began his career as a history lecturer at his native, Ballari,  and had a Master’s degree in History. Later, he shifted base to Bengaluru and started work at a printing press. He launched the Kannada tabloid, 'Hai Bangalore' in 1995, which garnered a strong following across the state.

Apart from his role as the Editor-in-Chief of Hai Bangalore, Ravi Belagere has written around 70 books on crime, politics, fiction, translation, storytelling, column writing and biography, which fetched him a strong readership. He also struck a chord with the common man with his writings in his column in ‘Paapigala Lokadalli’, which focused on the Bengaluru underworld. 

Ravi Belagere has been felicitated with the Karnataka Sahitya Academy Award, Rajyothsava Award and the Karnataka Media Academy Award for Lifetime Achievement Award to name a notable few. Apart from writing and journalism, he attained a following for his narration skills and reporting for his television show, Crime Diary, which aired on a private Kannada television channel.