Vishnuvardhan memorial demolition: Fans, Kannada stars express outrage, demand dignified tribute
Demolition of Dr Vishnuvardhan's memorial in Bengaluru
The sudden demolition of Kannada cinema legend Dr Vishnuvardhan's memorial in Bengaluru has caused shock and anger among his fans and the film industry and the memorial which was located at Abhiman Studio where the actor was cremated in 2009, was pulled down overnight on August 7–8, 2025 and reportedly it was done under police protection and following a Karnataka High Court order. This decision, carried out without public notice, deeply hurt his admirers, many of whom saw the place as sacred.
Reason behind the demolition
The demolition is linked to a long-running legal dispute. In 2015, the state government had allotted two acres of land at Abhiman Studio to the Vishnuvardhan Memorial Trust and however, the Balakrishna family, who own the studio, challenged the allotment in court, arguing that the land was taken without proper consent and that the promised compensation was never paid. In August 2023, the High Court ruled in favour of the family, restoring the land to them and this cleared the way for the removal of the memorial, even though fans had hoped for its preservation.
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Several Kannada stars spoke out strongly
The move sparked massive outrage. Fans gathered at the site in grief and protest, with many blaming the government and Kannada Film Chamber of Commerce for not protecting the memorial. Several Kannada stars including Kichcha Sudeep, Rishab Shetty, Upendra, Dhruva Sarja and Sri Murali, spoke out strongly against the demolition. Sudeep compared it to destroying a temple, while Rishab Shetty called it an insult to one of the state's greatest actors.
About Dr Vishnuvardhan
Vishnuvardhan, born Sampath Kumar, was one of the biggest names in Kannada cinema, second only to Dr Rajkumar. In his 35-year career, he acted in over 200 films across Kannada, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam languages, earning titles like Sahasa Simha and 'The Angry Young Man' of Kannada cinema. His death at 59 in 2009 shocked the state, and his cremation at Abhiman Studio gave the site emotional value for fans.
Although the government has built a grand memorial for Vishnuvardhan in Mysuru, featuring galleries, rare photographs, personal belongings, and a life-sized statue but many fans still feel that it cannot replace the original cremation site. Allegations have also surfaced about political involvement and plans to use the land for commercial purposes, though these remain unverified.
Some voices are now calling for a lasting solution that to place Vishnuvardhan's memorial at Kanteerava Studio, alongside those of Dr Rajkumar and Ambareesh, to unite the three icons of Kannada cinema in one place.
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