MALLESWARAM: Veteran Kannada actor and theatre artist Viji, who made his acting debut in the 1975 film Beluvalada Madilalli has passed away at Manipal Hospital in Malleswaram. Over his illustrious career, Viji acted in 269 Kannada films and worked as an assistant director in nearly 80 projects.
While his contributions to cinema were remarkable, Viji was best known for his stage play Samsaradalli Sarigama. Directed and performed by him, the play was staged over 1,390 times by his theatre group, Yashasvi, across cities such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Delhi, and Mumbai according to his son.
Viji's final rites will be conducted at the Chamarajpet Crematorium around noon tomorrow. Fans will have the opportunity to pay their respects as his body will be kept at his residence in Mahalakshmipuram until 10 PM tonight.
“Tomorrow, the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce will arrange a public viewing at Ravindra Kalakshetra from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM, after which he will be cremated at the Chamarajpet Crematorium,” his son confirmed.
Meanwhile, earlier last week, renowned journalist, poet, and filmmaker Pritish Nandy passed away on Wednesday at the age of 73 after suffering a cardiac arrest at his residence in Mumbai. His last rites were performed in the evening, officials stated.
Tributes poured in from across the country, with veteran actor Anupam Kher expressing his grief on social media. "Deeply deeply saddened and shocked to know about the demise of one of my dearest and closest friends #PritishNandy! Amazing poet, writer, filmmaker and a brave and unique editor/journalist!" Kher wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).
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