Daijiworld Media Network - Mandya (DC)

Mandya, Nov 25: The close friends of film star-turned-politician M H Ambareesh say that the rebel star hours before his death was upset over Mandya bus tragedy.

According to some media reports, Ambareesh had expressed deep pain seeing people of Mandya die in the bus tragedy. Even while responding to some of the TV channels regarding the death of over 30 locals of Mandya, he was in tears. Hours after the bus tragedy, the health of Ambareesh deteriorated.

He was shocked to see little children die in the mishap and suffered cardiac arrest at home. Immediately, his wife Sumalatha and son Abhishek gave him primary aid. He was taken to Vikram hospital but he was declared brought dead by the doctors.

He was 66. Ambareesh was known as the 'Rebel Star' and had a huge fan following at the peak of his popularity. He started his career in 1972 with negative roles before becoming a leading man.

Ambareesh was from the Mandya district and went on to represent the area in parliament. He had been a minister in Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's government. He was also a legislator in the state assembly but had been dropped from the Karnataka cabinet in the Congress regime that preceded the current coalition government.

The state government has declared a three-day state mourning and said his funeral will be held with full state honours. Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy said his body will be kept at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru for people to pay their last respects.

Condoling the death of the actor and veteran Congress leader, Kumaraswamy called him a rebel who was loved by all. Special buses have been arranged from all taluks of Mandya district to ferry people who want to pay homage to the actor. Often referred to as "Mandya da Gandu" (Man of Mandya), Kumaraswamy said "We have to build a memorial for him there."