Fans angered by sudden demolition of Kannada icon Dr Vishnuvardhan's resting place in Bengaluru: Report
The overnight action, carried out under police protection and reportedly with the court's approval, has reignited long-standing tensions over the site. The land, once owned by veteran actor Balakrishna's family, has been at the centre of a prolonged property dispute, The New Indian Express reported.
Dr Vishnuvardhan, who passed away on December 30, 2009, was cremated within the studio premises. Fans have since campaigned for a permanent memorial to honour him, urging the government to intervene. Repeated pleas to resolve the ownership issue went unanswered, further fueling Friday's anger, the report said.
ALSO READ | Traffic curbs, parking bans around Bengaluru's Lalbagh for Independence Day Flower Show
The Vishnuvardhan Fans Association accused both the state government and the Kannada Film Chamber of Commerce of neglect, calling the demolition a betrayal of their 11-year struggle. Association president Veerakaputra Srinivasa voiced his disappointment on social media, lamenting that legal rulings had left fans powerless, as only the family or the government could take decisions regarding the site, as per the report. He also alleged that those claiming rights to Balakrishna's estate were planning to construct a shopping mall on the land.
ALSO READ | Traffic curbs announced ahead of PM Modi's visit to Bengaluru for Namma Metro Yellow Line launch: Report
Filmmaker Ravi Srivathsa shared a video from the site, calling the spot sacred and condemning its destruction. Several protestors were detained by Kengeri police to prevent escalation.
The late actor's wife, Bharathi Vishnuvardhan, and family members have not yet commented. Kannada Film Chamber of Commerce president Narsimhalu said that the demolition followed a court order and emphasised the need to respect the judgment, adding that discussions will soon be held with both the fans' association and Bharathi Vishnuvardhan, the report added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Stars rally for lasting tribute to Vishnuvardhan
Kannada film fraternity condemns overnight razing of Vishnuvardhan's memorial The sudden overnight demolition of a structure at Kannada cinema legend Dr Vishnuvardhan 's memorial, located within Abhiman Studio, has sent shockwaves across the Kannada film fraternity and his legion of fans. The unexpected action, reportedly carried out under court orders with police protection, has ignited widespread grief and outrage. The act has also attracted strong condemnation from several prominent actors. It was like seeing a temple being destroyed: Sudeep Actor Sudeep, who shared a deep bond with the late actor Vishnuvardhan, expressed his heartbreak in an emotional video. 'Vishnuvardhan is not just a name — he is an emotion. When I heard the memorial was torn down, it was like seeing a temple—the one we prayed at for years—being destroyed. They say it was done under High Court orders, but earlier, we had fought hard through ministers and the government to save it. I had offered to bear any cost required. Those in power could have stopped it with a small effort — they didn't. Now, instead of begging, let's focus on what can be done next. I have said this before, and I will say it again, 'Cry for ten minutes, but on the eleventh, think about the next step.' Now, as Vishnu sir's fans, let's think about what needs to be done next. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice Grammarly Install Now Undo by Taboola by Taboola I have spoken to the chief of Dr Vishnu Sir's fan association, and they are planning to build a grand, tall statue of the actor. I will help in every way possible.' Insult to such an achiever is not right: Dhruva Sarja Actor Dhruva Sarja took to social media to voice his disapproval: 'There is no death for a true achiever, nor for art… Vishnu Appaji is immortal… Why does a person who has built a temple in the hearts of crores of Kannadigas need a memorial? Yet, in this land, such an insult to such an achiever is not right. It causes immense pain to the heart. I stand honestly with the fans of Vishnu Sir. I am waiting for your next move. Jai Kannadambe, Vishnu Dada is immortal. ' This should never have happened: Anirudh Jatkar Actor Anirudh Jatkar, Vishnuvardhan's son-in-law, revealed that the family was unaware of the demolition plans. 'This should never have happened. Everyone in Karnataka knows how sacred that place is. For fans, it's not just a location — it's a place of love, respect, and emotional connection,' he said. Anirudh added, 'We had no idea the memorial was being taken down.' Describing the demolition as 'deeply painful—impossible to put into words,' he also emphasised their repeated requests to allow fans access to the memorial for paying tribute. Grave disrespect to his personality, service to the arts: Rishab Shetty Filmmaker and actor Rishab Shetty condemned the demolition on social media, describing the act as 'condemnable.' He urged both fans and authorities to recognise the deep emotional connection people share with the late star. 'The incident involving Dr Vishnuvardhan Sir's memorial is unacceptable. This has inflicted a deep pain on every admirer who cherishes him sincerely. The recurrence of such incidents concerning one of the state's greatest actors is a grave disrespect to his personality and service to the arts. ' We must find a lasting solution immediately: Sriimurali Sriimurali wrote: 'The recent developments regarding our beloved Vishnuvardhan's memorial are deeply saddening and painful. Such acts of disrespect toward a great actor who dedicated his entire life to the Kannada film industry—and earned the love and admiration of the entire state through his extraordinary talent— are truly heartbreaking. We must all immediately come together to find a lasting solution for the construction and preservation of his monument. This is not merely about a structure; it symbolises the gratitude and reverence we hold for our Sahasimha.' This is truly disgraceful, shameful: Vasishta N Simha Actor Vasishta N Simha posted a heartfelt video denouncing the demolition. 'Something truly disgraceful, shameful, and unacceptable has happened. After years of struggle, we believed a logical end was in sight—a place where we, his fans, could gather to remember and celebrate Vishnu Sir. We had all been looking forward to it. But overnight, and in complete secrecy, the memorial has 'vanished'. There are no words worthy enough to describe those responsible—what they have done feels nothing short of a crime. This raises a painful question: did Vishnu Sir deserve such treatment? Has our state failed to honour an actor of his stature? Is there no value for his achievements, his personality, or the ideals he stood for? I despise those who plotted this demolition. My heart is deeply hurt.'
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Aparichite sheds light on the struggles and hopes of rural communities: Geetha Priya
Geetha Priya , who made her debut as both actor and producer with the recently released Kannada film Thayavva, is now set to star in Aparichite, a drama based on true events in rural India. She will share the screen with veteran actor Srinath. Produced by Amara Films and directed by Suresh Kumar Nagapal, the film also features Sindhu Lokesh, RJ Nikita, and Rohit Srinath. In the film, Geetha plays the role of a school teacher, a character she feels strongly connected to because of her passion for message-driven cinema. 'The story carries a strong social responsibility,' she says. 'It's about raising awareness of issues that still exist in our society. Cinema is such a powerful medium to educate people, and that's why I said yes.' 'Working alongside Srinath, a stalwart of Kannada cinema, has been an enriching experience for Geetha. 'He's humble, soft-spoken, and incredibly generous with his craft. There's so much to learn from his energy and dedication,' she adds. Speaking further, she adds, 'I want to break stereotypes about leading actors needing to fit conventional glamour standards. I cater to audiences who appreciate meaningful, heartfelt stories without unnecessary violence or glamour. For me, it's always about the message.'
Mint
2 hours ago
- Mint
Mahavatar Narsimha Box Office Collection Day 17: Mythological movie crosses ₹150 crore, mints THIS amount on Sunday
Mahavatar Narsimha Box Office Collection Day 17: Ashwin Kumar's mythological movie entered its third week at the box office and smashed all records. Bookings for the movie rose 159.33 percent on Saturday. According to the trade tracker Mahavatar Narsimha earned an estimated amount of ₹ 12.63 crore on Saturday, crossing ₹ 150 crore (India net). The Mahavatar Narsimha had an overall 46.41%% Telugu Occupancy on Sunday, 38.90% Hindi Occupancy in 2D, while in 3D, the movie Mahavatar Narsimha had an overall 64.17% Telugu Occupancy and 49.61% Hindi Occupancy. data said that until Saturday, Mahavatar Narsimha earned ₹ 156 crore worldwide, including ₹ 145.1 India net and ₹ 6 crore from overseas. Language wise, Mahavatar Narsimha earned ₹ 4.14 crore in Kannada, ₹ 31.05 crore in Telegu, ₹ 107.05 crore in Hindi, ₹ 1.89 crore in Tamil and ₹ 37 lakhs in Malayalam. According to film trade analyst Rohit Jaiswal, it is probable that Mahavatar Narasimha will release on streaming giant JioHotstar in Hindi, India Times reported. The speculation is based on previous collaborations between the platform and the production house. Previously, Hindi-dubbed versions of big titles such as 'Salaar' and 'Raajakumara' were released on the same platform. The Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada versions of the Sandalwood film, 'Mahavatar Narasimha', might be released on different regional platforms, according to sources.
