Latest news with #Vishnuvardhan
New Indian Express
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Preserve Vishnu's memorial, Union minister Shobha urges CM Siddaramaiah
BENGALURU: Union minister Shobha Karandlaje has urged CM Siddaramaiah to take urgent steps to safeguard the memorial of Kannada film industry icon Dr Vishnuvardhan, following the overnight demolition of a structure erected at Abhimaan Studio, where the late actor was cremated on December 30, 2009. Calling the incident 'a wound on the hearts of countless admirers', Shobha said the memorial was more than just a tribute, but a cultural landmark that inspired generations. 'It is heartbreaking that such a legendary icon, loved by millions, has not been given the honour he truly deserves, and that even his memorial could not be safeguarded,' she wrote in a letter to the CM. Vishnuvardhan played a pivotal role in bringing national attention to Kannada cinema. Shobha urged the government to immediately acquire the land through the Department of Kannada and Culture, offer fair compensation to its owners, and preserve the site as a 'kala grama', a national-level cultural hub for art exhibitions, training, and tourism.
Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- 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.'
News18
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Rishab Shetty Condemns Demolition Of Dr Vishnuvardhan's Memorial: 'Caused Great Pain'
Last Updated: The demolition of Dr. Vishnuvardhan's memorial at Abhiman Studio has sparked outrage in Karnataka. Fans protested, and actor Rishab Shetty condemned the act. The demolition of a structure at late Kannada cinema legend Dr Vishnuvardhan's resting place has sparked outrage across Karnataka, reigniting a long-standing dispute over the preservation of his memorial. On Friday, emotions ran high outside Abhiman Studio in Kengeri, where the actor was cremated in 2009, as fans gathered in large numbers to protest the move. The incident has now drawn strong condemnation from Kantara actor Rishab Shetty. Expressing solidarity with the late actor's admirers, Rishab Shetty wrote in Kannada on X (formerly known as Twitter), 'What happened with Dr. Vishnuvardhan Sir's memorial is condemnable. This has caused great pain to every fan who adores him wholeheartedly. The fact that such incidents are happening repeatedly with one of the country's leading actors is a disrespect to his personality and artistic service." Take a look at his post here: ಡಾ. ವಿಷ್ಣುವರ್ಧನ್ Sir ಅವರ ಸ್ಮಾರಕದ ವಿಚಾರದಲ್ಲಿ ನಡೆದಿರುವುದು ಖಂಡನೀಯ. ಅವರನ್ನು ಹೃದಯಪೂರ್ವಕವಾಗಿ ಆರಾಧಿಸುವ ಪ್ರತಿಯೊಬ್ಬ ಅಭಿಮಾನಿಗೂ ಇದು ಅತೀವ ನೋವುಂಟು ಮಾಡಿದೆ. ನಾಡಿನ ಮೇರು ನಟರೊಬ್ಬರ ವಿಚಾರದಲ್ಲಿ ಇಂತಹ ಘಟನೆಗಳು ಪದೇ ಪದೇ ನಡೆಯುತ್ತಿರುವುದು ಅವರ ವ್ಯಕ್ತಿತ್ವ ಮತ್ತು ಕಲಾಸೇವೆಗೆ ಅಗೌರವ ತಂದಂತಾಗಿದೆ. #VishnuSir …— Rishab Shetty (@shetty_rishab) August 9, 2025 Fans echoed his sentiments online, with hashtags such as #JusticeForVishnuvardhan and #SaveVishnuvardhanMemorial trending as supporters demanded immediate action to restore and protect the site. Years of dispute over the memorial Dr Vishnuvardhan, one of Kannada cinema's most celebrated stars, passed away on December 30, 2009. His cremation within the Abhiman Studio premises was followed by repeated appeals from his admirers to build a permanent memorial in his honour. However, the site has been at the centre of a protracted ownership dispute, with fans alleging government inaction despite years of petitions. Friday's demolition has intensified calls for accountability, as many believe that the move disregards the cultural and emotional significance of the site for Kannada cinema lovers. Voices from the film industry and public Before Rishab Shetty's statement, filmmaker Ravi Srivathsa also posted a video from the location, describing it as sacred and condemning the destruction. Several protesters who had gathered to oppose the demolition were detained by Kengeri police in an attempt to prevent further escalation. Kannada Film Chamber of Commerce president Narsimhalu later confirmed that the demolition was carried out in accordance with a court order. He stressed the importance of adhering to judicial directions while assuring that discussions will soon take place with both the fans' association and Dr Vishnuvardhan's wife, Bharathi Vishnuvardhan. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Vishnuvardhan memorial demolition: Rishab Shetty, Kichcha Sudeep REACTS - 'An insult to his personality'
(Picture Courtesy: Facebook) The overnight demolition of a structure at late Kannada superstar Vishnuvardhan's memorial in Bengaluru's Abhiman Studios has triggered a wave of grief and anger among fans and film industry members. The incident was carried out reportedly with court approval and under police protection. Actors Rishab Shetty , Kichcha Sudeep, and Dhruva Sarja , have expressed deep disappointment over the treatment of the legendary actor's resting place. Fans and stars react to sudden razing Rishab Shetty took to X, calling the demolition 'condemnable' and 'an insult to his personality and service to the arts.' Kichcha Sudeep described the act as heartbreaking, likening it to 'the destruction of a temple of a god we have revered for years. Kichcha Sudeep wrote, "I am speaking as a fan of Vishnuvardhan, not as 'Kiccha.' I am deeply hurt. Vishnuvardhan had a spiritual inclination. He always used to say — 'I want to become a metaphor. I should not end up inside some building or be tied to immovable properties. I must remain in the five elements. We belong to nature.' In one sense, it feels like another one of his wishes has come true. But ordinary fans and the public will not understand this. Just like you need a post box to post a letter, we too need a temple or a memorial to pay our respects and prayers." Dhruva Sarja echoed similar sentiments, stating that while Vishnuvardhan's legacy doesn't need a memorial to live on, the manner of demolition was deeply hurtful. Dispute over memorial site The land, once owned by actor Balakrishna, is now at the center of a dispute between the current owners and fans. The memorial included an 8-foot statue of Vishnuvardhan, which has long been a site of homage. As reported by the Hindustan Times, the owner acted after a court order, but the decision has drawn sharp criticism. Balakrishna's daughter, Geeta Bali, alleged political involvement and linked the demolition to her brother's unsolved murder last year. Director Ravi Srivathsa, who filmed the aftermath, called it a desecration of a sacred space for fans. Call for preservation and respect Sudeep revealed that several in the industry, including himself, had offered to fund the memorial's upkeep, but the government allegedly showed no interest. He vowed to approach the court if necessary to save at least a small portion of the site. Meanwhile, a new 2.75-acre memorial in Mysuru, in development since 2020, aims to showcase the actor's personal belongings, but for many, it does not replace the emotional significance of the original cremation site. Vishnuvardhan, known as 'Sahasa Simha,' passed away in December 2009.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Rishab Shetty, Kichcha Sudeep condemn overnight razing of Vishnuvardhan's memorial: An explainer on the controversy
Kannada star Vishnuvardhan, who also acted in a few Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Hindi movies, died at age 59 on 30 December 2009. The 'Sahasa Simha' died of a heart attack at the King's Court Hotel in Mysore. His last rites were performed with full state honours at Abhiman Studio in Bengaluru. On Saturday, fans woke up to the shocking news that a structure at his memorial had been razed on Thursday, with fans protesting at the studios on Friday. Vishnuvardhan was a popular actor in South Indian, particularly Kannada cinema. Vishnuvardhan's grave site razed TNIE reported that the land in Abhiman Studios once belonged to the late Kannada actor Balakrishna. However, the current owner reportedly razed the structure at the memorial overnight with permission from the court and under police protection. Film director Ravi Srivathsa, who recorded a video of the demolished structure, was quoted as saying, 'This is my god's (Vishnuvardhan) place, and it has been destroyed. The man who gave jobs and shelter to many has been treated this way.' Balakrishna's daughter Geeta Bali alleged, 'I learnt about it through the media and was shocked. My elder brother, Ganesh, was murdered last year. The person behind his murder is also involved in the demolition. Politicians are also involved.' The memorial at Abhiman Studios included an 8-foot statue of Vishnuvardhan, which is now the bone of contention between the new owners and fans. Despite long-standing demand to preserve the site, the demolition has frustrated fans who called out the government, police, and the Film Chamber. According to a OneIndia report, a new memorial spread across 2.75 acres in Mysuru has been in development since 2020, with plans to showcase Vishnuvardhan's personal belongings. Kichcha Sudeep, Rishab Shetty condemn the razing of memorial Kannada star Rishab Shetty on Saturday evening condemned the razing of Vishnuvardhan's memorial overnight. He wrote on X (formerly Twitter) in Kannada, 'What has happened in the case of Vishnuvardhan sir's memorial is condemnable. It has deeply hurt every fan who worships him wholeheartedly. In the case of a great actor of the state, such incidents are happening again and again, which is an insult to his personality and service to the arts. #VishnuSir #VishnuVardhan #Injustice #VishnuVardhanSmaraka.' Kichcha Sudeep also condemned the move and wrote in a long note on X, 'Sahasa Simha Vishnuvardhan represents an unending admiration and respect. The night before last, the destruction of his memorial feels as painful and distressing as if a temple of a god we have believed in and revered for years was shattered.' He also added that many, including him, had asked authorities if they needed money to maintain the structure when the case was in the High Court. 'We were ready for everything, I myself said so. Yet, the government didn't pay attention to this, or perhaps, without providing a proper explanation to the court, without burying it in the ground, they said the memorial at the cremation site isn't valid since there's already a memorial in Mysore,' he added. Sudeep also added that he will go to court, if need be, to appeal to the individual who owns the land to preserve at least a small portion of where Vishnuvardhan's memorial once stood. 'I am speaking as a fan of Vishnuvardhan, not as Kichcha. The pain is immense,' wrote Sudeep. The actor also posted a video reiterating the same in a video and questioning the move to demolish the memorial, and reiterating that he will stand up against it. Dhruva Sarja said Vishnuvardhan does not need a memorial to immortalise him, but condemned the manner in which it was razed, writing, '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. There are many questions to ask upon hearing this, but as a Kannadiga and an artist, in this moment, I stand honestly with the fans of Vishnu Sir. I am waiting for your next move. Jai Kannadambe, Vishnu Dada is immortal…' Vishnuvardhan's wife, Bharathi, and their two daughters, Keerthi and Chandana, are reportedly yet to comment on the controversy.
