Bengaluru: A sea of humanity turned up for the funeral of actor-politician and former Union minister Ambareesh who had passed away on Saturday, in what was a befitting tribute to a man who lived life on his own terms, hardly caring for the rebukes and humiliation heaped on him for not toeing the line which many others did.
The mortal remains were consigned to the flames with full state honours after thousands of his fans paid tearful homage to a star who will never be born again for there cannot be another Ambareesh.
A teary-eyed Abhishek, the actor's son, performed the last rites and lit the pyre with the actor's wife, Sumalatha, inconsolable, as the flames rose.
The cortege carrying the mortal remains of Ambareesh on its way to Kanteerava Studio.
Many others too could not control their emotions-like Ambareesh's close friend and Telugu actor Mohan Babu and Kannada actor Darshan. Earlier, the body was taken to Mandya, his home district, where the body was kept for public viewing through the night and into the dawn, before being flown back to Bengaluru Monday noon for the final rites.
Son Abhishek with actor Darshan.
His fans, admirers and countless friends from various fields bid adieu to ‘Rebel Star’ Ambareesh Monday evening at the Kanteerava Studio after his mortal remains were flown to Bengaluru from Mandya.
The huge crowd of fans who were part of the funeral procession.
Taken in procession from Kanteerava stadium to the Kanteerava studio, Malavalli Huchchegowda Ambareesh was laid to rest with full state honours in the presence of Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and most of his Cabinet ministers and members of both Houses of the legislature, who had turned out in strength to bid farewell to the legendary actor, politician and a great human being, who was widely known for the good he did. Also present were a galaxy of Sandalwood stars.
The last rites were conducted as per Hindu custom by Ambareesh's wife, Sumalatha and their son, Abhishek after they had paid their last respects to him.
The actor-politician’s wife Sumalatha and son Abhishek conduct the last rites.
Former CMs, S M Krishna, B S Yeddyurappa and Siddaramaiah , several JD(S) ministers and MLAs, and former CM of Maharashtra, Sushil Kumar Shinde, who was a close friend of the late actor, were among those who attended the funeral. Another close friend, popular actress and politician, Jayapradha, was seen in tears while Ambareesh's friend of over 37 years, Telugu actor, Mohan Babu was inconsolable.
The CM and Deputy CM hand over the tricolour which was draped on Ambareesh’s body to his wife Sumalatha and son Abhishek.
Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Monday announced his government intended to start welfare schemes in the name of late actor -turned- politician, M H Ambarish, who had been a mass leader, commanding the respect and love of the people.
"The details of the schemes will be worked out in due course of time," he said, speaking to reporters before shifting the mortal remains of Ambarish from Mandya to Bengaluru.
Ambareesh’s son Abhishek conducting the cremation at Kanteerava Studio.
Recalling that Ambarish did not like to be identified with one community, but to be loved by all, he said it was through his initiative that an artistes' bhavan was built in Bengaluru, fulfilling the dream of the late Kannada movie icon, Dr Raj Kumar.
The Chief Minister revealed that the samadhi of late Kannada actor, Vishnuvardhan could also be shifted from Mysuru to the sprawling Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru, where the memorial of Dr Raj Kumar is built.
"The people of the state want the memorials of all three late icons of the Kannada film industry, Dr Rajkumar, Vishnuvardhan and Ambarish at one place in recognition of their contribution to cinema. As Ambarish's memorial is being built near Dr Raj 's, we are considering having one for Vishnuvardhan here too. But we will consult his family before we take any step," he assured.
Referring to an advocate taking legal action against the building of memorials for the stars, he said, "I don't see anything wrong in doing this for outstanding artistes.”
