In shocking news, three fans in Karnataka died on Friday after the untimely demise of Kannada actor Puneeth Rajkumar, who passed away due to a heart attack. Puneeth, who is called by fans as ‘Power Star’ and ‘Appu’, died at Vikram Hospital in Bengaluru, with the actor’s last rites currently underway at the Kanteerava Stadium. Among the three fans who died, one Rahul aged 21 hanged himself in Belgaum upon hearing the news that his beloved actor had passed away. The 46-year-old superstar’s death had also caused a big shock among two other fans - Muniyappa, 30, a small farmer and a native of Marur village in Hanur taluk and Parasuram Devannavar, 33, who as well died due to heart attack. The unfortunate passing away of the three, who are ardent fans of Puneeth Rajkumar, has brought even more sadness as the actor’s passing away has left a big void across Karnataka and the Kannada film industry. 

Thousands of fans have been bidding an emotional farewell to Puneeth Rajkumar at Bengaluru's Kanteerava Stadium since yesterday. Funeral proceedings have been underway in Bengaluru since today morning as fans and celebrities from the Kannada film industry, including Tamil cinema paying their last respects. Puneeth’s last rites are expected to be performed on Sunday at the Kanteerava Studio where his parents Dr Rajkumar and Parvathamma were cremated, with the family currently waiting for the arrival of the late actor’s daughter, Drithi, who is living abroad. 

Hospital authorities on Friday released a statement informing that Puneeth Rajkumar was brought in a non-responsive state. The statement read, "Mr Puneeth Rajkumar, aged 46 years was brought to Vikram Hospital on 29/10/21 with a diagnosis of heart attack with ECG done by a family doctor. At the time of arrival to the emergency, the patient was non-responsive and was in cardiac asystole. Hence, immediate advanced cardiac life support measures were initiated for resuscitation. Inspite of prolonged advanced and aggressive measures, the patient continued to be non-responsive and asystolic. The panel of medical experts extended all efforts to save him. He was declared dead at 2.30 pm on 29.10.2021."