Bengaluru : Kannada actor Puneeth Rajkumar breathed his last on Friday at the age of 46. He was admitted to a private hospital in Bengaluru after he suffered a massive heart attack.

The 46-year-old was in a serious condition and admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

The Vikram Hospital shared a statement saying that Puneeth was non-responsive when he was brought to the hospital.

In an official statement, it said, “Puneet Rajkumar aged 46 years was brought to the emergency department, Vikram Hospital with history of chest pain at 11:40 am. He was non responsive and was in Cardiac Asystole and Advanced cardiac resuscitation has been initiated.”

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has arrived at the hospital. Several ministers and former Chief Ministers are currently at the hospital.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, “A cruel twist of fate has snatched away from us a prolific and talented actor, Puneeth Rajkumar. This was no age to go. The coming generations will remember him fondly for his works and wonderful personality. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti.”

Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah tweeted, “Deeply shocked by the demise of talented actor #PowerStar #PuneethRajkumar. He had won the hearts of Kannadigas through his great acting skills & his simplicity. His passing away is a great loss for Karnataka.”

Union minister Nirmala Sitharaman wrote on Twitter, “Condolences on the passing away of #PuneethRajkumar. A bright star. He had a long promising career ahead. My condolences to his family, his innumerable fans and followers.”

Former prime minister and Janata Dal (Secular) national president HD Devegowda also condoled the untimely demise of the Kannada star.

“The news of the death of film actor, Yuvaratna Puneet Rajkumar is shocking. I watched Appu starring Prithviraj and rajakumara along with him. Today Karnataka lost yuvaratna,” HD Devegowda said in a statement.

Massive crowd of fans are seen waiting outside the Vikram Hospital where Puneeth was brought in after he suffered a heart attack.

Karnataka remains on high alert with the police and district authorities heightening security across the state.

Meanwhile, offices and shops in Bengaluru have shut down and police battalions were brought in to control swarming crowds of fans in anticipation of violence after the popular actor’s death.

CM Bommai has cancelled his trip to Chikamangalore today as the news of Puneeth’s death breaks.

Son of matinee idol Rajkumar, Puneeth is fondly called ‘Appu’ by his fans. He started his career as a child artist with his father in the early 1980s. ‘ Raam’, ‘Hudugaru’, and ‘Anjani Putra’ are some of his memorable movies. He was last seen in ‘Yuvarathnaa’, which was released early this year.

A popular television presenter, Puneet, who began his career as a child artiste, is also among the highest paid actors in the Kannada film industry.

Puneeth Rajkumar is survived by wife Ashwini Revanth and has two children.