Kannada actor Rajesh passes away

Bengaluru, February 19

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Noted film actor Rajesh (82), who had earned the fame of ‘Kala Tapasvi’, passed away after age-related complications in a private hospital on Saturday, family sources said.

The actor was undergoing treatment in a private hospital for multiple ailments where he breathed his last, they added.

Born as Muni Chowdappa in Bengaluru, Rajesh had also come to be known as Vidyasagar during his days in theatre. The actor changed his name to Rajesh in 1968 following his movie ‘Namma Ooru’ (Our town).

Rajesh who debuted in ‘Veera Sankalpa’ in 1960 had acted in over 150 movies, including ‘Kappu Bilupu’, ‘Aradu Mukha’, ‘Punya Purusha’, ‘Kanike’ and Brundavana.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, former chief ministers Siddaramaiah and H D Kumaraswamy and many ministers in the Karnataka government condoled the demise of Rajesh.