Kannada Actor Santhosh Balaraj Passes Away At 34 After Bout Of Jaundice
The Kannada film industry is in mourning following the death of actor Santhosh Balaraj, who passed away on Tuesday morning at the age of 34. Known for his roles in action thrillers like Kariya 2 and Gunpa, Santhosh had reportedly been battling jaundice for several weeks. Despite ongoing medical treatment, his condition worsened and he died at around 9:45 am in a private hospital in Bengaluru. He was admitted to the ICU in his final days.
Santhosh Balaraj was widely regarded as one of the rising stars. His sudden death has triggered an outpouring of grief across the industry and among fans, many of whom followed his work closely and believed he was on the cusp of a major breakthrough.
He was the son of well-known Kannada filmmaker Anekal Balaraj, who produced the 2003 cult film Kariya, which starred Darshan in the lead role. Anekal Balraj himself had died in a tragic road accident in 2022. Following his father's footsteps, Santhosh took forward the family's cinematic legacy, carving a space for himself in Kannada cinema with a series of impactful performances.
Santhosh lived with his mother and was unmarried. Known for his humility and dedication to his craft, his death has come as a shock to friends, colleagues, and fans alike.
His breakout role came in 2015 with the film Gunpa, directed by Prabhu Srinivas. The action thriller was a box office success and cemented his image as a dependable lead actor in the genre. Gunpa drew parallels to Kariya, the very film that brought his father fame, both in tone and treatment, and was seen as a symbolic continuation of the cinematic tradition he inherited.
Earlier, in 2012, Santhosh starred in the romantic drama Olvin Ole, alongside Neha Patil. Directed by Teshi Venkatesh, the film showcased a different side of his acting range. In 2013, he appeared in Janam, playing the lead role of Kanteerava, a man in love with Kaveri amid fierce family opposition. The film, directed by Chakravarthy, was praised for its storyline and emotional depth.
His final appearance was in Kariya 2, a 2017 action gangster film that carried the weight of his father's legacy and his own stardom. Though he had fewer releases in the years that followed, he remained an admired figure in the younger generation of actors.
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