Ambareesh last rites: Former Union minister and Kannada actor left for heavenly abode

Scores of fans and followers led by top south Indian actors and political leaders from across party lines paid last tributes to actor-turned politician Ambareesh on Monday. Mourners filed past the mortal remains of Ambareesh with occasional outburst of emotions at Kanteerva Stadium amid tight security with about 1,000 policemen deployed in and around the area. As a masrk of respect the state government on Sunday announced a three-day mourning and a state funeral for the late leader. The veteran actor left for his heavenly abode at Bengaluru's Vikram hospital due to a cardiac arrest on Saturday. Ambareesh's demise left a huge void in the Kannada film industry. He was 66.

Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, former prime minister HD Deve Gowda and his wife Chennamma, former chief minister Siddaramaiah, superstars Rajinikanth and Chiranjeevi were among those who paid their last respects. Wrapped in tri-colour, the body was flown in an IAF helicopter to Mandya to facilitate the people of his home town to pay their homage to "Mandyada Gandu" (man of Mandya).

Karnataka: Former Union Minister & actor, Ambareesh, given 21-gun salute in Bengaluru. Ambareesh died at the age of 66 on November 24 pic.twitter.com/UjSFKSpUGT

— ANI (@ANI) November 26, 2018

Read | Ambareesh, former union minister and Kannada actor, dies at 66 in Bengaluru

Ambareesh's funeral procession wades through a sea of fans. About 15,000 security officials have been deployed for the protection. As the body was flown to Mandya, section 144 of the CrPC, which prohibits assembly of more than four persons at a spot, was imposed from Sunday evening to Monday morning to avoid unwanted congregation of people.

The last rites of Ambareesh was conducted near Dr Rajkumar Smaraka at Kanteerava Studios, Bengaluru, with state honours this afternoon. The former Congress MLA was given 21-gun salute in Bengaluru.

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Ambareesh, a three-time Lok Sabha member and also a former state minister, was not keeping well in recent years. He is survived by his wife Sumalatha and a son. Known as a rebel star, Ambareesh had acted in over 200 films. The actor, who stepped into the tinsel world with Nagarahavu in 1972, had carved a niche for himself in the Kannada film industry, particularly as an 'angry man'.