Kannada and Tulu actor Rakesh Poojary, recognized for his position within the upcoming movie Kantara: Chapter 1, tragically handed away on the age of 33 as a consequence of a coronary heart assault within the early hours of Monday, Might 12, 2025. The incident occurred throughout a buddy’s mehendi ceremony in Nitte, Karkala taluk, Udupi district, Karnataka, round 2 a.m. Poojary, who had accomplished filming his half for Kantara: Chapter 1 on Might 11, reportedly complained of fatigue and weak spot earlier than collapsing. He was rushed to a close-by hospital however was declared lifeless on arrival, with the suspected trigger being sudden cardiac arrest. An unnatural dying case has been registered at Karkala City Police Station, and his final rites had been carried out in his hometown of Karkala.
Poojary, a local of Hoode, Udupi, and son of Dinkar and Shambhavi Poojary, rose to fame because the winner of Comedy Khiladigalu Season 3 on Zee Kannada in 2020, having been a runner-up in Season 2. His vibrant comedic expertise and heat persona made him a family identify in Karnataka. He started his profession with the Chaitanya Kalavidaru theatre troupe and gained early recognition by means of the 2014 Tulu actuality present Kadale Bajil. Poojary additionally starred in Kannada movies like Pailwan and Itu Entha Lokavayya, Tulu movies akin to Petkammi, Ammer Police, Pammana The Nice, Umil, and Illokkel, and the TV serial Hitler Kalyana. His position in Kantara: Chapter 1, a prequel to the 2022 blockbuster Kantara directed by Rishab Shetty, was anticipated to be a big milestone.
The Kannada leisure trade and followers are reeling from the loss. Comedy Khiladigalu choose Rakshitha Prem mourned him on Instagram, writing, “The ever-smiling Rakesha…my fav Rakesha..the sweetest kindest loving individual…Namma Rakesha…will miss you mange,” and expressed disbelief at by no means chatting with him once more. Actor Shivraj KR Pete, who confirmed the information, wrote, “How can we pray for peace for a soul that introduced smiles to so many hearts?” Actor Pruthvi Aambar posted on X, “At all times with a pure candy hearted smile, ever loving, and very proficient artist, you’ll at all times stay in our coronary heart.” A photograph from the mehendi ceremony, shared on Poojary’s Instagram Tales hours earlier than his dying, has gone viral, exhibiting him smiling with associates.
This marks the third setback for Kantara: Chapter 1’s manufacturing, following a bus accident injuring junior artists in Kollur and the drowning of junior artist MF Kapil within the Souparnika River on Might 6, 2025. The movie, set for launch on October 2, 2025, has accomplished Poojary’s scenes, providing some solace to followers. The outpouring of grief underscores Poojary’s legacy of laughter and kindness. For extra particulars, see stories from The Indian Specific, Hindustan Instances, or The Financial Instances.
